Exodus 20 – How do the Ten Commandments reflect God’s character?
We all know that some parts of the Bible are more engaging than others. I have a hard time connecting with the laws of any kind, because they are ancient and reflect the realities and values of a society so different from ours. Often, I catch myself looking for details that maybe made sense in the ancient world but now cause marginalization and oppression in all kinds of ways. Or they simply permit Christians to accept these oppressive structures as given and not challenge them.
Basically, when I’m reading the laws in the Bible, I’m either bored or going through fits of holy indignation.
Today, I am choosing a different posture to get through this chapter. I asked the text this question: What did God care about so much that it was shaped into law?
Here’s what I outlined in my Bible notes:
God wants people to know who the Divinity is. This month, that’s exactly what we’re focusing on—knowing and honoring God. This knowledge is so important that the text speaks of punishment for generations to those who don’t take it seriously.
At first, this tone feels harsh, but it doesn’t change God’s true nature—steadfast love that can be trusted for millennia.
God cares about rest. In fact, regular rest is so important that God makes it sacred. The Sabbath reminds us that we are more than what we produce. This idea still speaks powerfully into our culture, which glorifies busyness and endless achievement.
God also cares deeply about relationships, especially those within families. At the foundation of this is honoring parents. What stands out to me is that honor is intentional—it doesn’t depend on feelings or current circumstances. In fact, it defines the feelings and circumstances of how children and parents interact.
The law also dictates how communities should function. And the God-inspired wisdom of the law nails it: at the core of so much pain and injustice lies human greed and the lust for power over others. These boundaries are meant to protect against that, even if the ancient world’s realities still bleed through (like in verse 17, where a wife, a slave, and an ox are all listed in the same breath).
od knew these laws wouldn’t make the ancient Israelites into a perfect society, a pure reflection of the Kingdom of God. There’s still so much growth humanity needs. But transformation has to start somewhere.
As I wrestle with these laws, I remind myself to keep asking: What does this reveal about what God cares for?
Even when the details are challenging, I can see glimpses of God’s heart—for justice, for rest, for relationships, and for all of us.
