And God Spoke
Text: Exodus 20: 1 | Reading: Exodus 1:1-7; 1 Cor 10
A foundational principle guides our reading of Scripture:
"In the Old Testament, the New Testament is concealed; in the New Testament, the Old Testament is revealed."
Jesus Himself demonstrated this when, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to His disciples all the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:27). The Old Testament points unmistakably to Christ—our ultimate Deliverer.
The Bible is Written for All
The book of Exodus—meaning "the way out"—records Israel's national beginnings and the fulfilment of God's covenant promise to Abraham. Its dominant theme is deliverance and redemption. The manuscripts have been passed down with remarkable accuracy; our Lord Jesus Himself testified that not the smallest letter or stroke would pass away from the Law (Matthew 5:18).
Understanding the Law requires distinguishing its three aspects.
- The moral law—the Ten Commandments—remains binding on all because it reveals God's character and will. Christians practise them differently from non-believers, not to earn salvation but as a guide to glorify God.
- The ceremonial laws—sacrifices, priesthood, and tabernacle worship—have been fulfilled in Christ, who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10).
- The civil laws helped Israel govern their nation and have been set aside along with the ceremonial laws.
The moral law was inscribed on stone by God's own hand, written on both sides—signifying completeness, with no space for additions. The first four commandments govern our relationship with God; the remaining six govern our relationships with others.
To Have Fellowship with God, We Must Listen to Him Through His Word
God declared:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Exodus 20:2).
The name Yahweh appears over 6,800 times in the Old Testament, meaning "I AM Who I AM"—the eternal, self-existing God who reveals Himself to His people. In John 8:58, Jesus claimed this divine name for Himself, declaring that before Abraham was, He already existed as the great I AM. Our Redeemer is none other than our Creator. Just as Yahweh delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, so Jesus rescues us from the slave house of sin.
Flee from idolatry
Paul warns us to "flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14). Idolatry is being consumed by anything other than God. As Timothy Keller observes, it can even occur within religious communities—when we rely on the rightness of our doctrine for our standing with God rather than on God Himself and His grace. Even spiritual gifts or ministry success can become counterfeit gods.
How Do We Learn from Christ?
By Listening to His Voice and Obeying His Commands.
In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:2). The Word of God remains living and active, able to discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Have you placed your trust in the LORD Jesus? May we listen to His voice attentively, obey His commands, and find in Him our true Sabbath rest—for "there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9).
Speaker: Bro. Andrew Gan