|
Wednesday, 9 February 2022
|
The Second Commandment - #2
|
Yesterday, I began with this thought ... "There is much to this second commandment." So, here I am, again today, writing about it. Exodus 20:2b(3) ends with the Hebrew words Al P'naye (as in "Aye aye, P'nai captain.") The phrase quotes God speaking. It is translated as "before Me," but that is an idiomatic translation. It literally means "On (or about) My face." When we follow (or obey) a false god, God, our Father, takes it personally. He further says in verse 5, "For I, Adonai your God, am a jealous God ..." And what is a false god? Any one or any thing that seduces us from following (obeying) the One true and living God. He alone is the One Who is known to us by name and knows us by name. Satan is the great seducer. Deuteronomy 6:5 (You will) Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This calls for a total love commitment to God. He's not the first among many, He is alone at the center of our attention. This second commandment, to have no other gods, is a warning against the great falling away. This period of time is described by Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days hard times will come - for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, hardhearted, unforgiving, backbiting, without self-control, brutal, hating what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! I mention this lengthy quote here for one reason. I believe we are living in this prophesy, especially at the beginning of verse 2, "For people will be lovers of self." Satan may be the great seducer, but many people, without any help from Satan are securely seated on their own throne, and without shame. Let's review. Aseret HaDibrot, the 10 Commandments in Hebrew, but literally "the 10 words," are set in right order by the mouth of God. The first commandment establishes Who God is. The second commandment makes God's exclusivity clear. "Ayn Od" we say in Hebrew, "There is no other." God is sovereign! To be "sovereign," God must be obeyed immediately and without question. Therefore; we must pay attention to the other eight commandments and the rest of His instruction in Scripture. I know I'm "preaching to the choir" as (most likely) the people reading this are already disposed to obeying God. That notwithstanding, let's commit to "watch out for ourselves" - lest we ourselves fall into a pattern of disobedience. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let the one who thinks that he stands watch out that he doesn't fall.
|
Posted By
Rabbi Michael Weiner,
11:53am
|
Comment
|
Comments:
Fatal error: Uncaught TypeError: count(): Argument #1 ($value) must be of type Countable|array, null given in /home/tkknamrcaorg/public_html/blog/index.php:555
Stack trace:
#0 {main}
thrown in /home/tkknamrcaorg/public_html/blog/index.php on line 555
| |
