History, upon closer examination, indicates the Ten Commandments were put in place to defend our humanity, including dignity, rest, and security.
Honor your father and mother
Although this one is commonly taught to children, the intended original audience was adult children who cared for their elderly parents. Most ancient peoples had no pensions, government welfare/social security programs or retirement homes/villages.
This left older individuals, unable to work their land, utterly impoverished and frequently left to fend for themselves. With this commandment, God created a permanent safety-net within the structure of the family.
It became everyone’s solemn responsibility to ensure their elderly were cared for, fed and provided for, as a way of repaying the generation who gave their lives to raise them.
No other gods before me
Remember how the ancient “gods” were referenced? Political authority, riches, conquest by military might, dictators that demanded total obedience from their people.
When you tell people to place one Supreme God over all of the others, you take away the power of every king, emperor, and tyrannical political regime to have the final say over human life.
It was the first proclamation of liberty: no man, no government, and no economy you wouldn’t enter into willingly should have the right to own your conscience or determine your value as a human being.
Do not make graven images or idols
Creating idols and bowing down before them was idolatry because they were trying to simplify God. People wanted something tangible, something they could wrap their minds around.
Idols do not always look like statues these days. To some people, money is an idol. To others, it may be fame, beauty, success or politics. Sometimes we allow these things to take over our lives without even realizing it. They slowly creep into our lives and become what we live for.
The problem is, none of them will last. Money can be gone in an instant and success can disappear. Even our looks will fail us one day. When you put your all into something that can be taken away from you at any time, you feel like you are nothing without it.
Do not take the Lord’s name in vain
This isn’t just a prohibition against a careless utterance like “oh shoot.” Back then, a person’s name stood for their core being, their reputation and influence.
When you did something in someone’s name, you were speaking for them or acting with their authority, as when you pledged allegiance to a king, or signed a contract in your boss’ name.
Taking God’s name “in vain” could also mean saying God was on your side when He really wasn’t. Perhaps someone got greedy, angry, or power hungry and did something out of their own selfishness. In order to justify their actions they put God’s name behind it.
That is what makes this command so severe. It forbids religious hypocrisy in the form of calling upon God to gain more power over others and ourselves.
Remember the Sabbath day
Life in the ancient world could be difficult for the average person. Many laborers and slaves were under the control of others. They could be asked to work every day of the week with little say in the matter. For most people, rest was a luxury only those with power and wealth could enjoy.
But the Sabbath made rest mandatory once a week for everyone. It applied to everyone, not solely the affluent or influential; laborers, domestic staff, newcomers, and even animals benefited.
It was a simple, radical concept: that no one is defined by how much they can work. Everyone deserves to rest.
Do not murder
What’s rendered as “murder” in the Hebrew original refers to a deliberate, unlawful taking of life, not accidental death or defending oneself.
Murder, as distinguished from killing someone in battle, outlawed the retaliatory blood feuds that had previously consumed entire families for generations over trivial offenses. It established for the first time in history that every person’s life is valuable and everyone has the right to be protected.
Do not commit adultery
Physical attraction was not the sole consideration regarding s*x for the Israelites. Adultery threatened the bond of trust that connected a married couple and gave stability to their family.
Broken trust resulted in broken marriages. Families split up. Relationships between parents, children, and grandchildren grew hostile. Even violence was not uncommon as people fought over children, possessions and money.
The principle goes deeper than that, however. It’s about remaining faithful to the person you chose to love. Feelings fade and strong emotions can be fleeting. But if you want a lasting relationship you need trust, respect, and faithfulness.
Do not steal
Commentators of Ancient law have pointed out that based on where it was placed among the Ten commandments, this commandment most likely originally pertained more specifically to the stealing of humans; what we know as kidnap or human trafficking today.
In addition to physical possessions, theft means robbing people of their freedom or livelihood, denying them the ability to keep the fruits of their labor or support their families. This directive safeguards an individual’s right to personal security and financial well-being.
Do not bear false witness
Historically, giving false testimony in a courtroom had the power to literally claim your neighbor’s property, their freedom, or their life.
Justice depended nearly solely on the integrity of local witnesses since there were no forensic labs or security footage or written contracts for every trade.
When lies, slander, and false charges take root, they poison the public and criminal justice systems, robbing a town or city of its ability to shield innocent families from unmerited harm by wrongdoers.
Do not covet
This tenth commandment differs from all the others listed above. Its aim is not to direct your outward deeds, but to address the concealed thoughts and condition of your psyche.
To covet something is more than admiring something good your neighbor has. It is craving it in an angry, jealous way. You want what they have and you want to take it from them.
Coveting is about understanding that hateful jealousy and bitterness will corrupt you long before you try to take what doesn’t belong to you through stealing, cheating, or murder.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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9 misconceptions about the Ten Commandments that most people get wrong
Discovering the true intent of the commandments is difficult when you don’t take into account the world for which they were specifically written.
9 misconceptions about the Ten Commandments that most people get wrong
