exodus 20

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
Why was it needful for God to state that He was the God that brought them out of the house of bondage, out of the land of Egypt.	Since this was something that was being recorded it was needful that this be documented so that future generations would have it. The Israelites were guilty of forgetting this one fact when things were going good. Also so that subsequent generations would have  record of who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt.
What does it mean to not have any gods before God?	You can live your life, but God should be put first in your life. He should occupy first place.
Why did God say other gods and not anything?	Today we are deceived into thinking that because we are not carving out idols, we are not having other gods, however if each person were to really evaluate their lives, it would be found that there are things that each person puts before the Lord.	A god is a supernatural being, having power.
Why was this commandment necessary?	The Israelites were accustomed to worshipping Idols, that they carved out. Whenever prosperity came they would single out gods, and worship them for their blessings, and forget the God of Heaven.	Although we do not carve out idols of stone
		Sacrifice is involved with worship. You return tithe and the Sabbath to God for those are His, however you’re supposed to render a sacrificial offering unto Him as well.
We understand how this was to be applied back then in bible times, but how does this apply to us today?		20:4-5 Unless an image is constructed for the purpose of worship it is not to be understood as an idol.
Could it be that since the people wanted an image to look upon, God gave them a replica of the sanctuary above?	This is a very plausible argument, this would have been done so that they could look on it and learn from it.
		Even though you may say the thing carved represents something good, it is not to be worshipped. (not to bow down or serve)
How do you serve an idol?	The best explanation we can give for this, is the ceremony of Thammuz held yearly at Christmas time. In the which men slave to obtain treasure just so that they can lay it at the feet of Thammuz.	This is the principle, that people make great sacrifices just to obtain stuff, with no end in sight.
Is there anything wrong with seeking wealth?	Only if this comes at the sacrifice of life and limb, and are neglecting your responsibilities to man and God.	You will remember the profit saying that we should not seek after certain things, especially if they come at the cost of sacrificing children’s meals, or comfort, just so that the item can be had.
		Visiting the consequences upon the children to the 3rd and 4th generation. We are under a perpetual curse of sin. It was Adam who first sinned, however ever man after that sinned.
		20:6 God has forgiven the sin, but the consequences remain. It may seem to be less harsh for those who call upon His name because He invokes mercy, nevertheless all have come under the consequence of sin.
How are we to understand the mercy, is it now or in the hereafter?	It has both applications. There is forgiveness for sin. Remember the wages of sin is death, given that we don’t drop down and die when we sin is mercy, but more specifically to the verse, we have the hope of salvation.
		Inspite of what is often interprested with this verse, this is not callin the name of Jesus futily or using it as a curse word. Instead this is more for those Christians who will swear by the  name of God falsely or will take on his name in falsehood. This is a serious command. It has an immediate consequence attached to it.
		20:7Note that this guilt cannot be passed. The Lord says I will not hold these people guiltless who do this thing, or they will not go unpunished.
		20:9 It is not that the scripture says 6 days shall work be done. For work shall be done everyday. Instead it makes the distinction between our work and His work 6 days are yours to do your work, but the 7th is for His work.
		The word any is supplied, however the implication is that it is not the work of the Lord.
What is the context of this verse? Is it that these people should not work for you on the Sabbath or are you responsible to ensure they a person within your courts not do any work at all?		20:10 Based on this verse it seems that a person is responsible for anyone that enters your home.
Is this a text which can be used to justify the prosperity of the children of Israel?	No, this text does not promise a son, cattle or servants. This text is just making general statements and whomever it is applicable to, should use it to adjust their actions.	20:10
What does honoring your parents mean?	This is to be reviewed in the book of Leviticus. Not clear right now what this could mean. Jesus speaks of paying away your responsibility.	20:12
		20:12Another commandment with promise. The first (3rd commandment) gives a promise of punishment which cannot be seen in a positive light. Hence this is the first commandment with promise since long life is something which is desirable.
		The only reason we are clear about this verse is because we know that the last 6 commandments refer to the relationship with man. Thus this verse is to be interpreted as thou shall not murder, meaning to kill the innocent without a cause. Cause being interpreted as instruction from the Lord.
What is adultery.	It is quite possible that any sexual pervesion could fall into this category. Rape, fornication, etc. It seem this was becoming a practice in Israel, and God wanted to snip it in the bud. However, it also has a spiritual application.	20:14 It is quite possible that since women were seen as objects of pleasure, during this time this may have come to the forefront so that men would not abuse their privileges over women. It would probably not be strange for a man to see another man’s wife and sleep with her. In some instances, the woman may have objected, however since women did not have much rights then, her protests may have been disregarded. Consequently the need for such a law.
Has the church butchered this commandment?	This law may have been originally passed to protect eh innocent, but now it seems that this law is more about slaying the innocent. In like manner as the scribes and Pharisees made laws to protect the laws, the church has become so legalistic in upholding the law that they forget about the spirit of the law.	20:14
Why is this command so specific? Is this to be applied only to a court system, as the context of verse?	Note that the last 6 commands has to do with relationship with your neighbor, consequently the context of each command. However it is unbecoming of a Christian to lie. This is something that the devil is credited with. And the consequences are no doubt less harsh because a lie was told and no one was injured. Consider Annanias and Saphira	We have condensed/summarized this command to mean : people shall not lie, however this seems to be an exaggeration of the command. Although summarizing this verse may not seem accurate. The principle can be advanced for Christian character. No Christina should be a liar, cause liars will have their part in the lake of Fire.
		Again this is a command where the letter can be lived and the entire spirit of the Law missed and as a result a person is lost.
Why isn’t this command just shortened to “thou shall not covet”? I think it would have been better interpreted.		There is great detail in this verse, so that there is no ambiguity.
		20:20 This is one verse in which the definition of fear is used in two contexts. God wants men to be afraid of Him so they will sin not.
Is this a case where the word for fear means both to fear and fear not?	This is not clear, will have to research the history of the Hebrew language.	20:20 This verse seems to have some translation errors, since the words present in the Greek/Hebrew does not seem to match what is/was translated in the English. There seems to be a contradiction in the verse. It seems that God wanted them to fear, so how could Moses say not to fear. There seems to be a contradiction here
Isn’t God suppose to be light, why is he coming out of darkness?	Darkness here is likely a reference to the type of thick cloud that surrounded them, and not so much darkness as it often synonymous with evil in the rest of the bible.	20:21
Are we to understand that the earth mentioned in this text comprises of stones?	The word used refers to dust from which Adam came, however it may just be a reference for material of earthen origin. Consequently stones may probably fall in this category.	20:24Remember that precious stones were in the earth, and it is quite likely that God was saying do not use the precious stones, but use the clay to make the altar. Since God likes to set His people apart, it is likely that the altars of other peoples were made of precious stones, and had become idols. To probably thwart this pattern, God says use this simple thing of clay. That way there would be no/little temptation to worship it.
Why would God tell the people to not use gold and silver here, and yet in the building of the sanctuary later, the people/Moses is instructed to use gold and precious stones in the building. Why is this?	I don’t think this answer is with men. This question is asking the reason behind God reasoning. God is beyond finding out.	20:24
		20:25 Note that stones can be used in the building of the altar, but they shall not be chiseled, otherwise it will be polluted.
Why was it necessary for thhe Lord to command the children of Israel, not to build steps on their Altar?	Apparently it was a custom to have steps leading up to a very high altar. God was not pleased with these kinds of altars and thus, gives specific instructions not to build steps on the altars erected in His name.	20:26 Nakedness is here referred to as indecent. God is saying that He does not want your nakedness be accidentally exposed. Not to God but to other men/women around.