The Bible Slam: Exodus Chapter 20

Exodus 20 is the first introduction to the Ten Commandments.   They also appear in Exodus 34 and in Deuteronomy 5.   They are:

1. Do not worship any other gods and do not make idols or worship graven images.
2. Do not misuse God's name.
3. Observe the sabbath.
4. Honor your parents.
5. Do not kill.
6. Do not commit adultery.
7. Do not steal.
8. Do not bear false witness.
9. Do not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. Do not covet your neighbor's possessions.

The chapter concludes with instructions for building an earthen alter on which to make "burnt offerings" of sheep and oxen in order to receive blessings from God, who describes himself as "a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."

These alters have special instructions — you can't make them out of "hewn stone" and you can't being climbing steps to the alter because someone standing underneath the stairs may be able to look up and see what naked goodies are under your robes!   (They didn't wear underwear back then.)

Quick Tips & Navigation.

• About the Bible Slam — If you are new here, please read the "about" page to understand the choice of the word "slam" and to read the Important Disclaimer about swear words. We have provided a link to biblical reading without swear words or commentary on the about page, just in case swear words are offensive to you.
• To fully comprehend the Bible philosophy, we suggest you start at the very beginning and work your way through, other than skipping around through it.
• {PREVIOUS} Exodus Chapter 19 | {NEXT} Exodus Chapter 21

Discussion Points.

What kind of justice system is this, where God punishes the third and fourth generations of children for something their ancestors did?   Many in the extreme right would like us to believe that the United States' justice system is based on the Ten Commandments.   Do they honestly buy into this punishment for future generations?

When it comes to keeping the sabbath, it's not just humans who must comply!   The full verse (10) reads:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates…

The best part is the end … You don't want anyone looking up the steps, seeing your nakedness under your robes!

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