Scripture:
Exodus 20:1-11
“I am the Lord your God...”


As we resume the story, Moses and the liberated slaves have arrived at the place where Moses first heard God speak—Mt. Horeb. God has a word for the freed slaves. In fact, God has ten words—the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. (Ten commandments means "ten words.") With these words God outlines the nature of a covenant: how Israel is to live in relationship with God and with each other. A covenant is like a contract: I promise to do this and you promise to do that. The commandments also reveal more about the nature of the God who calls a people to spiritual fidelity.