The 10 Commandments Like You've Never Seen It...

Hebrew has transformed my way of thinking. Nothing has ever been the same since I began studying לשון הקודש the holy tongue. I suspect this has always been God's plan. He instructs us to "not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let Him transform us into new people by changing the way we think. Then we will learn to know His will for us, which is good and pleasing and perfect." in Romans 12:2 (paraphrased). That is exactly what Teshuvah Bible Studies aims to do. The 10 Commandments is no exception. I think it is time to revisit Sinai and שמע shemah (harken - listen and understand) the CREATOR's heart behind the words.

Before I even begin dissecting the דברים words given by ADONAI, I want to look at His intent behind this ברית covenant (contract, agreement, proposal) with Israel; His people. It was a marriage proposal. To this day, the Israeli culture mimics this type of agreement with their marriage contract by having the groom create a proposal for the bride called the כתובה Ketubah (a proposal in writing). Traditionally the groom would do this with his own hands and embellish it with poetry and art. Today, like most moderns things, this is done in a more commercial way by having a company create the Ketubah. The words, however, like a wedding vow, should be the groom's.

Scriptures show that ADONAI did just that. He is the origin of all things, so it is no surprise that the Ketubah concept and tradition originated from Him. He spoke the proposal to the future bride (see Ex 19:18-19 & Deut 4:12) and then He wrote it in tablets of stone with His own finger (see Ex 31:18). This is evidence that His intent was always to be אהד one with Israel as He instructed Adam and Eve to become אהד (see Gen 2:24).

The contract was separated into two sections: Two tablets. One to dictate the duties the bride would have towards the groom, our ELOHIM. It states His expectations from the bride. The second to dictate the promise and provision of the groom towards the bride. This is the most misunderstood concept of the עשר דברים Ten Words. They weren't meant to be commandments as interpreted by modern culture. They are marital duties, which I suppose is similar enough. But if it were commands it wouldn't be received by anyone. What woman in her right mind would accept such a marriage proposal? None that I've ever met, even more so today. When a man proposes marriage He makes promises, not demands. Still, he has certain expectations when making this offer.

With that context in mind... let's see what ADONAI said and wrote:

First pronouncement is: I am ADONAI your ELOHIM. אלוהים Elohim is a statement of maximum authority. In ancient times, the husband was the Elohim of his spouse (see 1 Peter 3:5-6). ADONAI is affirming that He is our husband in this contract agreement.

Second pronouncement is: You will have no other ELOHIM before me for I am a jealous ELOHIM. This statement makes so much more sense in this context. No man will accept infidelity and jealousy in a marriage relationship is healthy (not obsession or possessiveness, but a marriage without jealousy is a loveless marriage). ADONAI loves you and doesn't want to share you.

Third pronouncement is: Do not take my name in vain. A misconception here is that ADONAI is simply speaking about people saying "God" or "Jesus" in the wrong context or occasion. Though I appreciate the guarding of the word and keeping things as holy as possible, I think in this context is that we shouldn't enter into this contract casually. Just as a marriage proposal is serious and intended for a lifelong commitment, so it is here by ADONAI. He is essentially saying, "don't agree and take my last name just to dishonor it. If you say yes, honor my name." Remembering that a name in Hebrew is much more than just what you call someone. It involves their character, authority and represents that being. So taking ADONAI's name is like taking our spouses' surname in marriage. It is to be taken seriously.

Fourth pronouncement is: לזכור את השבת Remember the Sabbath. What an odd thing to place in a marriage contract right? What does שבת mean and why is it important to HA'SHEM? The word means rest, restoration, delight, renewal and ELOHIM established this principle way in the beginning (see Gen 2:2-3). This was created for our sake, but also as a special day we spend with Him. It's our date night. Don't forget and forsake our "special day". It is קדוש holy. It also servers as a mark of those who belong to Him. Our wedding ring (see Ex 31:12-18). ADONAI is saying, "Don't forget to use your wedding ring my bride so others can see you are mine".

Fifth pronouncement is: Honor your descendants. This is where the duties and expectations begin to shift from vertical (towards ELOHIM) and more into the horizontal (towards others) in the contract. However, it is still a requirement of ADONAI and a duty we need to honor. Doing so we are honoring Him. Why did I replace "father" and "mother" with "descendants"? Because in Hebrew those words extend beyond our current earthly parents. There is no ancient Hebrew word for "grandfather" or "great grandfather". All descendants were addressed as "father" or "fathers". Yeshua clarified this in His statement recorded by Matthew in chapter 12 (see Mat 12:48-50). Honoring the family is in the heart of the Groom.

The second part of the contract can be summarized with one statement. The so called "negative commands" are more of an affirmation from the Groom that we wouldn't need to do these things. He is essentially making promises here. He is saying, "If you enter into this contract and keep it and make me yours and you remain mine, then you will not have the need to murder, cheat, steal, lie or covet." He isn't as much saying, "Don't you dare steal". He is more saying, "I will take care of you... you won't need to steal". Again, as a man proposing the groom usually lets the bride know, "if you marry me I'll work hard and take care of all your needs. You will want for nothing."

That is the beauty found in His Words and promises to His bride. That is a marriage proposal I'll easily accept. So did Israel (see Ex 19:8) and so did we when we confessed Yeshua as our Groom. We declared, "I accept Yeshua as my Savior and LORD". My ELOHIM. My Husband. Now we await His return so we can consummate the marriage vow.

הרוח והכלה אומרים בוא