We are walking in today: What Are The Ten Commandments??!!
Witness commandments throughout the Bible: H6680 tsavah--to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order
Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment H6680 unto the children of Israel.
The Torah ...............……
Exodus 34:32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment H6680 all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.
The prophets ...............…
Isaiah 23:11 He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment H6680 against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.
The writings .............
Joshua 8:8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded H6680 you.
Psalms 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment H6680 to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Many have heard of the Ten Commandments. Many today are
asking what they are, and how are they to be obeyed.
Some today have heard that obedience to the Ten Commandments is necessary for salvation. Others have heard that salvation is dependent only upon one's faith in Yahushua, for the forgiveness of sins. Still others have been told that those who have been Born-Again, by believing in Yahushua, need not obey the Ten Commandments. But what do the Scriptures tell us?
In this short writing we will look at what the Ten Commandments say, and then see what the Scriptures themselves have to say about the Ten Commandments. We will look carefully at a few of the least understood Scripture passages themselves, to see what they actually say. Only when we read the Scripture passages for ourselves, are we better able to make our own decisions as to what the Ten Commandments are, and how we should respond to them.
We will take special note of who it was that spoke these commandments. We will also see to whom they were given, and how the Ten Commandments fit in with all of Scripture. We will then see what the Scriptures tell us about those who do obey the commandments, and what they say about those who do not.
Some today have heard that obedience to the Ten Commandments is necessary for salvation. Others have heard that salvation is dependent only upon one's faith in Yahushua, for the forgiveness of sins. Still others have been told that those who have been Born-Again, by believing in Yahushua, need not obey the Ten Commandments. But what do the Scriptures tell us?
In this short writing we will look at what the Ten Commandments say, and then see what the Scriptures themselves have to say about the Ten Commandments. We will look carefully at a few of the least understood Scripture passages themselves, to see what they actually say. Only when we read the Scripture passages for ourselves, are we better able to make our own decisions as to what the Ten Commandments are, and how we should respond to them.
We will take special note of who it was that spoke these commandments. We will also see to whom they were given, and how the Ten Commandments fit in with all of Scripture. We will then see what the Scriptures tell us about those who do obey the commandments, and what they say about those who do not.
What are the Ten Commandments?
After THE MOST HIGH brought the Israelites out from slavery
in Egypt (Exodus 20:2), He led them into the wilderness of Arabia. It was there
that THE MOST HIGH gave them His Marriage Covenant, summarized in the stone
tablets of the Ten Commandments (Galatians 4:25; Exodus 34:27-28; Deuteronomy
4:13).
We must first understand, that it was the person of Messiah who appeared to Abraham as the Word of THE MOST HIGH (Genesis 15:1,4), and as the apostle Paul tells us in (1Corinthians 10:1-4), it was Messiah who accompanied the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness. This bit of information is a key piece of the puzzle, that enables us to understand and to learn Father's Ways, as we shall see below.
It was also on Mount Sinai that THE MOST HIGH spoke to Moses by the Word of THE MOST HIGH, who is Messiah (Num 3:16,51; 15:31; 36:5). It was Messiah who spoke the Ten Commandments, also called the Ten Words. Likewise it was Messiah who wrote these Words on tables of stone with His own finger — 'the finger of God' (Exodus 31:18; Luke 11:20), and gave the tables to Moses, to give to the people. The entire account can be seen in the Bible, in Exodus chapter 20.
After receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Moses descended from the mountain. When he reached the base of the mountain, Moses saw the Israelites celebrating in an unrestrained manner, and worshipping a golden calf they had made. Moses threw down the stone tablets and broke them, giving us a prophetic picture of God's people who would break THE MOST HIGH's Everlasting Covenant, in preparation for the coming of Messiah who would permanently restore THE MOST HIGH's Everlasting Covenant.
Moses then returned to the top of the mountain, to commune with THE MOST HIGH. Through a series of events, Moses then descended with a second set of stone tablets, whose wording was identical to the first set. This second set of tablets gives us another prophetic picture of the Second or 'New' Covenant that would be written internally, on the heart, and whose wording would be identical to that of the First or 'Old' covenant, seen prophetically in the first set of broken tablets, and mentioned in (Hebrews 8:7, 9:1).
It was later in the wilderness wanderings that the Word of THE MOST HIGH gave to Moses further details of the commandments, which were written in the Book of the Law ['Torah'], the collection of Father's instructions for His people. The tablets of the Ten Commandments were placed into the ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:21; 1Kings 8:9), which is prophetic of placing the words of the Law [Torah] into the hearts of His Disciples within whom Messiah would dwell (Prov 7:2-3; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Colossians 1:27).
The Book of the Law was also placed in the side of the ark, as a witness (Deuteronomy 31:26), which is another prophetic picture for us, showing us how we become aware of exactly what sin is (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7). It is only by having the Law of God written internally in our heart that we begin to know [perceive or become aware of] sin, which is unrighteousness (Psalms 37:31; Isaiah 51:7; Romans 3:20, 7:7; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16; 1 John 5:17).
The tables of the Ten Commandments form the basis of all civil life and relationships for all of THE MOST HIGH's people. They are the basics of how THE MOST HIGH's people are to relate to Him, and to each other. The Ten Commandments are the basic and essential part of THE MOST HIGH's instructions for His people, and they are the foundation of Father's 'Rules of the House' by which His children are expected to live.
We must first understand, that it was the person of Messiah who appeared to Abraham as the Word of THE MOST HIGH (Genesis 15:1,4), and as the apostle Paul tells us in (1Corinthians 10:1-4), it was Messiah who accompanied the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness. This bit of information is a key piece of the puzzle, that enables us to understand and to learn Father's Ways, as we shall see below.
It was also on Mount Sinai that THE MOST HIGH spoke to Moses by the Word of THE MOST HIGH, who is Messiah (Num 3:16,51; 15:31; 36:5). It was Messiah who spoke the Ten Commandments, also called the Ten Words. Likewise it was Messiah who wrote these Words on tables of stone with His own finger — 'the finger of God' (Exodus 31:18; Luke 11:20), and gave the tables to Moses, to give to the people. The entire account can be seen in the Bible, in Exodus chapter 20.
After receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Moses descended from the mountain. When he reached the base of the mountain, Moses saw the Israelites celebrating in an unrestrained manner, and worshipping a golden calf they had made. Moses threw down the stone tablets and broke them, giving us a prophetic picture of God's people who would break THE MOST HIGH's Everlasting Covenant, in preparation for the coming of Messiah who would permanently restore THE MOST HIGH's Everlasting Covenant.
Moses then returned to the top of the mountain, to commune with THE MOST HIGH. Through a series of events, Moses then descended with a second set of stone tablets, whose wording was identical to the first set. This second set of tablets gives us another prophetic picture of the Second or 'New' Covenant that would be written internally, on the heart, and whose wording would be identical to that of the First or 'Old' covenant, seen prophetically in the first set of broken tablets, and mentioned in (Hebrews 8:7, 9:1).
It was later in the wilderness wanderings that the Word of THE MOST HIGH gave to Moses further details of the commandments, which were written in the Book of the Law ['Torah'], the collection of Father's instructions for His people. The tablets of the Ten Commandments were placed into the ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:21; 1Kings 8:9), which is prophetic of placing the words of the Law [Torah] into the hearts of His Disciples within whom Messiah would dwell (Prov 7:2-3; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Colossians 1:27).
The Book of the Law was also placed in the side of the ark, as a witness (Deuteronomy 31:26), which is another prophetic picture for us, showing us how we become aware of exactly what sin is (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7). It is only by having the Law of God written internally in our heart that we begin to know [perceive or become aware of] sin, which is unrighteousness (Psalms 37:31; Isaiah 51:7; Romans 3:20, 7:7; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16; 1 John 5:17).
The tables of the Ten Commandments form the basis of all civil life and relationships for all of THE MOST HIGH's people. They are the basics of how THE MOST HIGH's people are to relate to Him, and to each other. The Ten Commandments are the basic and essential part of THE MOST HIGH's instructions for His people, and they are the foundation of Father's 'Rules of the House' by which His children are expected to live.
The Ten Commandments
The Scripture passages containing the Ten Commandments are
listed in the table below, as seen in Exodus 20:2-17. These are shown first as
Biblical Hebrew, then as the KJV listing, and finally the World English Bible.
The Ten Commandments
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Exodus Chapter 20:
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Verse
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Hebrew
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KJV
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World English Bible
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1
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וידבר אלהים את כל־הדברים האלה לאמר׃ ס
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And God spake all these words, saying,
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God spoke all these words, saying,
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Commandment #1:
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2
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אנכי יהוה אלהיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים מבית עבדים׃
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I am the LORD your God, which have brought thee out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
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I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of
Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
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3
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לא יהיה־לך אלהים אחרים על־פני ׃
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Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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You shall have no other gods before me.
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Commandment #2:
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4
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לא תעשה־לך פסל ׀ וכל־תמונה אשר בשמים ׀ ממעל ואשר בארץ
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Thou shalt not make [fabricate, acquire, have] unto thee
any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above,
or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
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You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image
of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth:
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5
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לא־תשתחוה להם ולא תעבדם כי אנכי יהוה אלהיך אל קנא פקד עון אבת
על־בנים על־שלשים ועל־רבעים לשנאי׃
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Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:
for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that
hate me;
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you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them,
for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those
who hate me,
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6
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ועשה חסד לאלפים לאהבי ולשמרי מצותי׃ ס
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And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and
keep my commandments.
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and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love
me and keep my commandments.
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Commandment #3:
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7
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לא תשא את־שם־יהוה אלהיך לשוא כי לא ינקה יהוה את אשר־ישא את־שמו
לשוא׃ פ
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Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain;
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
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You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain,
for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
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Commandment #4:
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8
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זכור את־יום השבת לקדשו ׃
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Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
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Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
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9
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ששת ימים תעבד ועשית כל־מלאכתך ׃
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Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
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You shall labor six days, and do all your work,
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10
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ויום השביעי שבת ׀ ליהוה אלהיך לא־תעשה כל־מלאכה אתה ׀ ובנך־ובתך
עבדך ואמתך ובהמתך וגרך אשר בשעריך ׃
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But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God:
[in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is]
within thy gates:
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but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You
shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male
servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who
is within your gates;
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11
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כי ששת־ימים עשה יהוה את־השמים ואת־הארץ את־הים ואת־כל־אשר־בם
וינח ביום השביעי על־כן ברך יהוה את־יום השבת ויקדשהו׃ ס
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For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD
blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
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for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and
all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the
Sabbath day, and made it holy.
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Commandment #5:
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12
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כבד את־אביך ואת־אמך למען יארכון ימיך על האדמה אשר־יהוה אלהיך
נתן לך׃ ס
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Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be
long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
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Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be
long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
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Commandment #6:
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13
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לא תרצח׃ ס
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Thou shalt not kill.
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You shall not murder.
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Commandment #7:
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14
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לא תנאף׃ ס
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Thou shalt not commit adultery.
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You shall not commit adultery.
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Commandment #8:
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15
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לא תגנב׃ ס
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Thou shalt not steal [take what belongs to someone else].
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You shall not steal.
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Commandment #9:
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16
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לא־תענה ברעך עד שקר׃ ס
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Thou shalt not bear false witness [speak lies] against thy
neighbour.
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You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
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Commandment #10:
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17
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לא תחמד בית רעך לא־תחמד אשת רעך ועבדו ואמתו ושורו וחמרו וכל
אשר לרעך׃ פ
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Thou shalt not covet [inwardly desire] thy neighbour's
house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his
maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
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You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not
covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor
his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour's.
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The Ten Commandments
Commandment 1:
Exodus 20:1-3:
Exodus 20:1-3:
Hebrew:
וידבר אלהים את כל־הדברים האלה לאמר׃ ס אנכי יהוה אלהיך אשר הוצאתיך
מארץ מצרים מבית עבדים׃ לאיהיה־לך אלהים אחרים על־פני ׃
King James:
1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD
your God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
World English Bible (WEB):
1 God spoke all these words, saying, 2 I am Yahweh your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You
shall have no other gods before me.
Commandment 2-A:
Exodus 20:4:
Exodus 20:4:
Hebrew:
לא תעשה־לך פסל ׀ וכל־תמונה אשר בשמים ׀ ממעל ואשר בארץ
King James:
4 Thou shalt not make [fabricate, acquire, have] unto thee
any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or
that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
World English Bible (WEB):
4 You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image
of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth:
Commandment 2-B:
Exodus 20:5-6:
Exodus 20:5-6:
Hebrew:
לא־תשתחוה להם ולא תעבדם כי אנכי יהוה אלהיך אל קנא פקד עון ועשה
חסד לאלפים לאהבי ולשמרי מצותי׃ ס
King James:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:
for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my
commandments.
World English Bible (WEB):
5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them,
for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate
me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my
commandments.
Commandment 3:
Exodus 20:7:
Exodus 20:7:
Hebrew:
לא תשא את־שם־יהוה אלהיך לשוא כי לא ינקה יהוה את אשר־ישא את־שמו
לשוא׃ פ
King James:
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain;
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
World English Bible (WEB):
7 You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain,
for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Commandment 4:
Exodus 20:8-11:
Exodus 20:8-11:
Hebrew:
זכור את־יום השבת לקדשו ׃ ששת ימים תעבד ועשית כל־מלאכתך ׃ ויום
השביעי שבת ׀ ליהוה אלהיך לא־תעשה כל־מלאכה אתה ׀ ובנך־ובתך עבדך ואמתך ובהמתך וגרך
אשר בשעריך ׃
King James:
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days
shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath
of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor
thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy
stranger that [is] within thy gates: 11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven
and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day:
wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
World English Bible (WEB):
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 You shall
labor six days, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to
Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your
daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor
your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days Yahweh made heaven
and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day;
therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.
Commandment 5:
Exodus 20:12:
Exodus 20:12:
Hebrew:
כבד את־אביך ואת־אמך למען יארכון ימיך על האדמה אשר־יהוה אלהיך
נתן לך׃ ס
King James:
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be
long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
World English Bible (WEB):
12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be
long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
Commandment 6:
Exodus 20:13:
Exodus 20:13:
Hebrew:
לא תרצח׃ ס
King James:
13 Thou shalt not kill.
World English Bible (WEB):
13 You shall not murder.
Commandment 7:
Exodus 20:14:
Exodus 20:14:
Hebrew:
לא תנאף׃ ס
King James:
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
World English Bible (WEB):
14 You shall not commit adultery.
Commandment 8:
Exodus 20:15:
Exodus 20:15:
Hebrew:
לא תגנב׃ ס
King James:
15 Thou shalt not steal [take what belongs to someone else].
World English Bible (WEB):
15 You shall not steal.
Commandment 9:
Exodus 20:16:
Exodus 20:16:
Hebrew:
לא־תענה ברעך עד שקר׃ ס
King James:
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness [speak lies] against
thy neighbour.
World English Bible (WEB):
16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Commandment 10:
Exodus 20:17:
Exodus 20:17:
Hebrew:
לא תחמד בית רעך לא־תחמד אשת רעך ועבדו ואמתו ושורו וחמרו וכל אשר
לרעך׃ פ
King James:
17 Thou shalt not covet [inwardly desire] thy neighbour's
house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his
maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
World English Bible (WEB):
17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not
covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor
his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
The Scripture verses, along with references for each
commandment, are shown above, for your benefit. This information is shown
because many religious groups divide up the Ten Commandments in various ways,
as a means of hiding some of the words. Some religious groups completely remove
certain words altogether, and we are thus robbed of knowing the Truth!
What is important is not how these Commandments are divided up, but that all the words of the Commandments be shown in entirety, so that we may benefit from 'every word' that proceeds from the mouth of THE MOST HIGH (Matt 4:4; Luke 4:4).
What is important is not how these Commandments are divided up, but that all the words of the Commandments be shown in entirety, so that we may benefit from 'every word' that proceeds from the mouth of THE MOST HIGH (Matt 4:4; Luke 4:4).
The New Covenant Importance of the Commandments
Why are the Commandments important?
It is important to understand that we can not be saved by being obedient to the Commandments. The first step to our salvation is to first understand that we have been disobedient to the Commandments, and as a result, we are called sinners. Thus in order to be saved, we must have a Saviour to save us from our sins. In order to be saved, we must first realize that we are all sinners, and that we all have need of a Saviour to save us [rescue us] from our sins.
One might then ask, "What is sin?" The Scriptures tell us sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4), which means disobedience of THE MOST HIGH's commandments. If we have disobeyed any commandment of the Scriptures that would apply to us, we are sinners by the Biblical definition. It is only by our understanding of the Commandments that we know what sin is; and it is only by the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we know that we ourselves are personally guilty of sin. And so it is by understanding the commandment, and by knowing I have disobeyed the commandment, that I am convicted by the Holy Spirit, and know that I need a Saviour, to save me from my sins.
After we become Born-Again, why are the Commandments important?
As new Believers, we are exhorted to give our hearts to Yahushua, and to let our eyes observe [delight in keeping, and walking in] His Ways (Proverbs 23:26). Abba's ways are seen throughout the Torah, and are taught in the places of assembly each Sabbath, just as the Jerusalem council tells us in Acts 15:19-21.
As we learn Abba's Ways in the 'Old' Testament writings, we begin to see that His Ways are ways of Righteousness, and ways that are holy ['set-apart as special']. These are ways wherein we allow Him to lead us away from the ways of sin, iniquity, and defilement, and toward a Biblical lifestyle of Righteousness, and of being set-apart unto Him.
Yahushua exhorts all those who have been saved from their sins, to stop sinning (John 5:14; 8:11; 1Cor 15:34; Eph 4:26; 1 John 2:1; 3:4, 8, 9). Even for those who have been saved and forgiven of their sins, continued sin thereafter blocks the intimate relationship that Yahushua desires of each of His children. If we sin, we can confess our sins to THE MOST HIGH as soon as we become aware of them (1 John 1:8-9), and He then forgives us of our sins, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
But how are we to know what things are considered sin?
The apostle Paul tells us that by the Torah comes the knowledge of sin [the awareness of what is considered sin, so that we might avoid it] (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7). The value of the commandments found throughout the Torah, is that they define for us what THE MOST HIGH considers sin, unrighteousness, iniquity, and wickedness. The commandments tell us in plain and simple terms, what we are to do, and what we should avoid doing, if we want to stop committing sins!
As we grow in our walk with Yahushua, we learn to run to Him daily, or as often as necessary, to confess our sins, so that He may wash us, and cleanse us from all sin [unrighteousness] (1 John 1:7-9; 1 John 5:17). And as we continue to study the Scriptures, we become more and more aware of what to avoid. We also become more aware of the Great mercy He has shown to us by giving us His forgiveness, and the Great Grace He has given to us to enable us to do what is right. Are We Aware — or Ignorant — of What Sin Is?
Two Examples from the Ten Commandments
It is important to understand that we can not be saved by being obedient to the Commandments. The first step to our salvation is to first understand that we have been disobedient to the Commandments, and as a result, we are called sinners. Thus in order to be saved, we must have a Saviour to save us from our sins. In order to be saved, we must first realize that we are all sinners, and that we all have need of a Saviour to save us [rescue us] from our sins.
One might then ask, "What is sin?" The Scriptures tell us sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4), which means disobedience of THE MOST HIGH's commandments. If we have disobeyed any commandment of the Scriptures that would apply to us, we are sinners by the Biblical definition. It is only by our understanding of the Commandments that we know what sin is; and it is only by the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we know that we ourselves are personally guilty of sin. And so it is by understanding the commandment, and by knowing I have disobeyed the commandment, that I am convicted by the Holy Spirit, and know that I need a Saviour, to save me from my sins.
After we become Born-Again, why are the Commandments important?
As new Believers, we are exhorted to give our hearts to Yahushua, and to let our eyes observe [delight in keeping, and walking in] His Ways (Proverbs 23:26). Abba's ways are seen throughout the Torah, and are taught in the places of assembly each Sabbath, just as the Jerusalem council tells us in Acts 15:19-21.
As we learn Abba's Ways in the 'Old' Testament writings, we begin to see that His Ways are ways of Righteousness, and ways that are holy ['set-apart as special']. These are ways wherein we allow Him to lead us away from the ways of sin, iniquity, and defilement, and toward a Biblical lifestyle of Righteousness, and of being set-apart unto Him.
Yahushua exhorts all those who have been saved from their sins, to stop sinning (John 5:14; 8:11; 1Cor 15:34; Eph 4:26; 1 John 2:1; 3:4, 8, 9). Even for those who have been saved and forgiven of their sins, continued sin thereafter blocks the intimate relationship that Yahushua desires of each of His children. If we sin, we can confess our sins to THE MOST HIGH as soon as we become aware of them (1 John 1:8-9), and He then forgives us of our sins, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
But how are we to know what things are considered sin?
The apostle Paul tells us that by the Torah comes the knowledge of sin [the awareness of what is considered sin, so that we might avoid it] (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7). The value of the commandments found throughout the Torah, is that they define for us what THE MOST HIGH considers sin, unrighteousness, iniquity, and wickedness. The commandments tell us in plain and simple terms, what we are to do, and what we should avoid doing, if we want to stop committing sins!
As we grow in our walk with Yahushua, we learn to run to Him daily, or as often as necessary, to confess our sins, so that He may wash us, and cleanse us from all sin [unrighteousness] (1 John 1:7-9; 1 John 5:17). And as we continue to study the Scriptures, we become more and more aware of what to avoid. We also become more aware of the Great mercy He has shown to us by giving us His forgiveness, and the Great Grace He has given to us to enable us to do what is right. Are We Aware — or Ignorant — of What Sin Is?
Two Examples from the Ten Commandments
As we look at some practical examples of becoming aware of
what sin is, let's focus on two of the Commandments shown above, the Second
Commandment and the Fourth Commandment.
Example: The Second Commandment
As our first example, notice carefully the wording of the
Second Commandment. Notice that the Hebrew word לא (Lo) has been highlighted in
bold type, in the Ten Commandments table above. This is a particularly
interesting feature, in that the Hebrew word 'Lo' means "You shall
not." Thus wherever we see the word 'Lo' in these commandments, we know
this is a stand-alone command, which does not depend on any other passage to
give further context, to qualify or change its meaning.
The significance of the Hebrew word לא in verses 4 and 5 of the Second Commandment, is that verse 5 does not supply the context for verse 4, but verse 4 is to be understood within its own context. This tells us that one need not 'bow down' or 'serve' a forbidden object, as seen in verse 5, for that object to be classified as an idol.
In verse 4, THE MOST HIGH tells us not to make a particular shape of object. Notice however, the Hebrew word translated 'make,' Strong's number <06213>, has many additional meanings, including the ideas of "do, make, fashion, acquire, have, maintain, prepare," and a number of additional meanings.
And because verse 4 is a stand-alone command, it tells us that to 'make'< 06213> [make, prepare, keep, acquire, maintain, attend to] the described object is forbidden, without regard to whether the owner bows down to it.
This stand-alone command feature is especially important as we look at the practical meaning of the Second Commandment, as revealed in verses 4 and 5. Let's now look closely at these two passages, to see what they are actually saying:
The significance of the Hebrew word לא in verses 4 and 5 of the Second Commandment, is that verse 5 does not supply the context for verse 4, but verse 4 is to be understood within its own context. This tells us that one need not 'bow down' or 'serve' a forbidden object, as seen in verse 5, for that object to be classified as an idol.
In verse 4, THE MOST HIGH tells us not to make a particular shape of object. Notice however, the Hebrew word translated 'make,' Strong's number <06213>, has many additional meanings, including the ideas of "do, make, fashion, acquire, have, maintain, prepare," and a number of additional meanings.
And because verse 4 is a stand-alone command, it tells us that to 'make'< 06213> [make, prepare, keep, acquire, maintain, attend to] the described object is forbidden, without regard to whether the owner bows down to it.
This stand-alone command feature is especially important as we look at the practical meaning of the Second Commandment, as revealed in verses 4 and 5. Let's now look closely at these two passages, to see what they are actually saying:
Thou shalt not make <06213> unto thee any graven
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (Exodus 20:4)
Now notice what THE MOST HIGH tells us next:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
<05647> them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation
of them that hate me. (Exodus 20:5)
Verse 4 tells us not to make, fashion, acquire, or have a
graven [carved or fashioned] image of any living being, which includes art
objects, statues, figurines, and toys commonly found in the home or office.
But as it begins to dawn upon us what verse 4 actually says, many would say, "But I do not bow down to it, as verse 5 warns — so perhaps it is acceptable to 'make, fashion, acquire, or have' the object in my possession, in my home or office."
This is a grave error, to think that verse 5 supplies 'context' or meaning to verse 4. Instead, as we have noted, each verse, Exodus 20:4 and Exodus 20:5, are separate, stand-alone "Do not" commands, each containing the Hebrew word 'lo.' This information sheds new light onto these passages, and reveals to us a further depth of meaning.
Thus in verse 4, we are told not to "make, fashion, acquire, or have" the described object — and in verse 5 we are told not to bow down to them, even if they had been "made or fashioned" by someone else. Each passage is a separate command, each independent of the other for contextual meaning.
Nevertheless, many today will consider their valued objects, think about their expensive collections of figurines and statues, art objects, and decorations, and will hold them too dear to abandon. They will continue to ignore THE MOST HIGH's Word regarding the command, "do not make" [or have] these described objects. Instead, many will substitute their own understanding of what this command is saying.
Again, they reason, "But I am not bowing down to this object, so it's OK to have it." But this way of thinking is exactly what King Saul did, and this is exactly why THE MOST HIGH considers stubbornness as the sin of idolatry — when we exalt our own understanding above what THE MOST HIGH's Word actually says.
So if we reject THE MOST HIGH's simple and clear Word to us in verse 4, and instead choose to follow our own understanding, thinking "But I do not bow down to it, so perhaps it is acceptable to make, fashion, acquire, or have," then we are in essence, doing as King Saul did. This is idolatry in THE MOST HIGH's eyes.
We have also created an idol of the heart, by substituting our 'own understanding' in place of what THE MOST HIGH's Word actually says.
What verse 4 actually says is, "Do not make, acquire, or have" the described object. Period!
And verse 5 actually says, "Do not bow down to, or serve the [above described] objects, even if they were "made or fashioned" by someone else. Period!
Read together in this manner, verses 4 and 5 say, "You shall not make [have, acquire, maintain, etc.] for yourselves a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Neither shall you bow yourself down to them, nor serve them."
In simple terms, the Second Commandment is plainly telling us:
But as it begins to dawn upon us what verse 4 actually says, many would say, "But I do not bow down to it, as verse 5 warns — so perhaps it is acceptable to 'make, fashion, acquire, or have' the object in my possession, in my home or office."
This is a grave error, to think that verse 5 supplies 'context' or meaning to verse 4. Instead, as we have noted, each verse, Exodus 20:4 and Exodus 20:5, are separate, stand-alone "Do not" commands, each containing the Hebrew word 'lo.' This information sheds new light onto these passages, and reveals to us a further depth of meaning.
Thus in verse 4, we are told not to "make, fashion, acquire, or have" the described object — and in verse 5 we are told not to bow down to them, even if they had been "made or fashioned" by someone else. Each passage is a separate command, each independent of the other for contextual meaning.
Nevertheless, many today will consider their valued objects, think about their expensive collections of figurines and statues, art objects, and decorations, and will hold them too dear to abandon. They will continue to ignore THE MOST HIGH's Word regarding the command, "do not make" [or have] these described objects. Instead, many will substitute their own understanding of what this command is saying.
Again, they reason, "But I am not bowing down to this object, so it's OK to have it." But this way of thinking is exactly what King Saul did, and this is exactly why THE MOST HIGH considers stubbornness as the sin of idolatry — when we exalt our own understanding above what THE MOST HIGH's Word actually says.
So if we reject THE MOST HIGH's simple and clear Word to us in verse 4, and instead choose to follow our own understanding, thinking "But I do not bow down to it, so perhaps it is acceptable to make, fashion, acquire, or have," then we are in essence, doing as King Saul did. This is idolatry in THE MOST HIGH's eyes.
We have also created an idol of the heart, by substituting our 'own understanding' in place of what THE MOST HIGH's Word actually says.
What verse 4 actually says is, "Do not make, acquire, or have" the described object. Period!
And verse 5 actually says, "Do not bow down to, or serve the [above described] objects, even if they were "made or fashioned" by someone else. Period!
Read together in this manner, verses 4 and 5 say, "You shall not make [have, acquire, maintain, etc.] for yourselves a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Neither shall you bow yourself down to them, nor serve them."
In simple terms, the Second Commandment is plainly telling us:
1) Neither make [have, etc.] the object (verse 4),
2) Nor bow down to it, nor serve it (verse 5).
Now let's look at another feature of these two passages, the
"cause-and effect" relationship seen in these two verses.
Cause and Effect
Not only do Exodus 20:4 and Exodus 20:5 give us two
separate, explicit commands, but they are a classic example of a Biblical
"cause-and-effect" relationship. "Do not do [Action 1], because
it will inevitably lead you to do [Action 2], which you are also forbidden to
do."
The not-so-obvious, hidden cause-and-effect relationship between verse 4 and verse 5 tells us that to make, acquire, or have a forbidden object, inevitably leads to a hidden attachment to them, a bowing down to them [hidden in our heart, not seen or perceived], and a hidden serving of them [hidden in our heart, not seen or perceived].
THE MOST HIGH knew if we were to make or have these objects, we would become attached to them, and that is a form of worshipping them. Through our natural sentimentality toward an object, we can create an attachment to that object, creating an idolatry of the heart. This idolatry will only strengthen the stronghold of the enemy, bringing into our homes various torments — such as strife, discord, anger, rebellion, sicknesses, troubles, and unbelief.
This stronghold of idolatry is the inevitable outcome of this cause-and-effect relationship seen in the Second Commandment.
• What does this mean for Believers today, in a practical sense?
When we consider the truth that many types of art objects, decorations, statues, figurines, and toys are simply fabricated representations of male or female living things, we then realize that these are forbidden objects, and are off-limits to Believers.
Thus if we make, prepare, keep, acquire, have, maintain, or attend to them, we have disobeyed the 2nd Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1John 3:4).
THE MOST HIGH does, however, give us a choice. He watches us, to see whether we will follow Him, by careful obedience to what He has said in His Word — or whether we choose to follow our own sentimentality toward an object, thus clouding our own understanding.
Father is also looking for a Bride for His son, and so He is looking for hearts that are soft and teachable, and fully yielded to obedience to His Word. The choices we make reveal our heart.
Here is what Father sees, based on the choices we make regarding the Second Commandment:
The not-so-obvious, hidden cause-and-effect relationship between verse 4 and verse 5 tells us that to make, acquire, or have a forbidden object, inevitably leads to a hidden attachment to them, a bowing down to them [hidden in our heart, not seen or perceived], and a hidden serving of them [hidden in our heart, not seen or perceived].
THE MOST HIGH knew if we were to make or have these objects, we would become attached to them, and that is a form of worshipping them. Through our natural sentimentality toward an object, we can create an attachment to that object, creating an idolatry of the heart. This idolatry will only strengthen the stronghold of the enemy, bringing into our homes various torments — such as strife, discord, anger, rebellion, sicknesses, troubles, and unbelief.
This stronghold of idolatry is the inevitable outcome of this cause-and-effect relationship seen in the Second Commandment.
• What does this mean for Believers today, in a practical sense?
When we consider the truth that many types of art objects, decorations, statues, figurines, and toys are simply fabricated representations of male or female living things, we then realize that these are forbidden objects, and are off-limits to Believers.
Thus if we make, prepare, keep, acquire, have, maintain, or attend to them, we have disobeyed the 2nd Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1John 3:4).
THE MOST HIGH does, however, give us a choice. He watches us, to see whether we will follow Him, by careful obedience to what He has said in His Word — or whether we choose to follow our own sentimentality toward an object, thus clouding our own understanding.
Father is also looking for a Bride for His son, and so He is looking for hearts that are soft and teachable, and fully yielded to obedience to His Word. The choices we make reveal our heart.
Here is what Father sees, based on the choices we make regarding the Second Commandment:
The Second Commandment: Choices Reveal the Heart
1) The deceived heart, in an attempt to justify its own
actions, will do everything possible to twist the meaning of what the Second
Commandment actually says, looking for a 'loophole' that would allow one to
have, and to keep, one's forbidden objects.
2) The soft heart, however, says, "Whether I am
convinced or not, I do not want to gamble on even the slightest odds that I
might be wrong."
3) The teachable heart then says, "I will not take even
the slightest chance, that I might offend the Bridegroom because of a few
earthly trinkets, so I will destroy or discard these objects from my
home!"
4) The yielded heart is one that is quick to discard or
destroy anything, regardless of its cost or value, that might cause a sin or
offense against the Bridegroom, or a stumbling-block to a fellow Believer.
What can we conclude? As the apostle Paul tells us (Romans
3:20b; Romans 7:7b), it is by the Torah [law] that we have knowledge of sin —
that we become aware of what sin is — so we can avoid committing sin.
The Ten Commandments form the most basic list of commands that reveal to us what sin is. If we choose to disobey any of these commands, we know we have transgressed the Law — we have committed a sin (1 John 3:4).
In this example, we have seen how our heart is revealed, dependent on how we respond to the Second Commandment.
We have also seen how the sin of idolatry is revealed, in anyone who chooses to disobey the Second Commandment.
Now let us look at another practical example of becoming aware of what sin is, as we look at the Fourth Commandment.
Example: The Fourth Commandment
The Ten Commandments form the most basic list of commands that reveal to us what sin is. If we choose to disobey any of these commands, we know we have transgressed the Law — we have committed a sin (1 John 3:4).
In this example, we have seen how our heart is revealed, dependent on how we respond to the Second Commandment.
We have also seen how the sin of idolatry is revealed, in anyone who chooses to disobey the Second Commandment.
Now let us look at another practical example of becoming aware of what sin is, as we look at the Fourth Commandment.
Example: The Fourth Commandment
The Fourth Commandment is given in Exodus 20:8-11. Let's
look closely at these passages, to see what they are actually saying:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt
thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day [is] the Sabbath of
the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor
thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy
stranger that [is] within thy gates: 11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven
and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day:
wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it [set it apart].
(Exodus 20:8-11)
In this command, THE MOST HIGH tells us that we are to
remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy [set-apart as special unto Him], in
certain, specified ways. We see most of the Sabbath Day basics in the above
Exodus 20:8-11 passage, and a few other details in other Bible passages.
In verse 8, we see that THE MOST HIGH first tells us to remember to keep the Sabbath Day set-apart as 'holy' — that is, to keep it separate from all the other 'common' days of the week.
In verse 9, THE MOST HIGH tells us that we are to do all our week's work in six days.
Then in verse 10, we see the reason we are to do our work in six days — because the seventh day is designated as THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, in which we are not allowed to do any work, nor are we to require anyone else, including work animals, to work for us.
In verse 11, we then see the reason THE MOST HIGH gives for our honouring the Sabbath Day. We are told that THE MOST HIGH Himself worked six days in creating the heavens and the earth, and then THE MOST HIGH Himself rested on the seventh day, and set that day apart as 'holy,' and separate from the six work days.
In verse 8, we see that THE MOST HIGH first tells us to remember to keep the Sabbath Day set-apart as 'holy' — that is, to keep it separate from all the other 'common' days of the week.
In verse 9, THE MOST HIGH tells us that we are to do all our week's work in six days.
Then in verse 10, we see the reason we are to do our work in six days — because the seventh day is designated as THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, in which we are not allowed to do any work, nor are we to require anyone else, including work animals, to work for us.
In verse 11, we then see the reason THE MOST HIGH gives for our honouring the Sabbath Day. We are told that THE MOST HIGH Himself worked six days in creating the heavens and the earth, and then THE MOST HIGH Himself rested on the seventh day, and set that day apart as 'holy,' and separate from the six work days.
Which Day is the Sabbath Day?
It is interesting to note that remnants of THE MOST HIGH's
Sabbath Day can be seen in all cultures down through history, and that the
seventh day, is called 'Sabbath' [or some slight variation thereof] in many
languages worldwide.
According to historians, the 'Hebrew' Sabbath Day was known in ancient, pagan Rome as "the Day of Saturn," and is called Saturday in modern times. Through corruption of man-made doctrines, many Religious groups today have their own Sabbath days, but THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day remains unchanged.
The apostle Paul tells us that the Oracles of THE MOST HIGH were committed to the Hebrew, for our profit [to be a light and witness to the world]. It is interesting to note, that in order to confirm which day of the week the ancient Sabbath Day fell upon, we need not go back any earlier than when Messiah walked on the earth.
Yahushua Messiah Himself did not sin, so we know He observed the true Sabbath Day of THE MOST HIGH. Note that He observed the same Sabbath Day as did the Hebrew — which over a time span of 2,000 years, down to the present day, has not changed at all. The true Sabbath Day remains the same to this day — as attested to every Saturday, by every Hebrew tabernacle in the land!
Despite calendar changes that designate Sunday as the seventh day, and despite corruptions introduced by Rome, the true Sabbath Day remains as a witness that THE MOST HIGH is indeed the Creator, and that THE MOST HIGH continues to have a remnant of those who continue to honour THE MOST HIGH, by keeping His Sabbath Day holy.
It is said that those who do not observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, are giving testimony that they do not believe in THE MOST HIGH as Creator! Might it be true, that those Believers who do not observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, are teaching evolution — simply by the testimony of their example of not observing the Creator's Sabbath Day?
• What does this mean for Believers today, in a practical sense?
When we consider the Fourth Commandment, here is a summary of some truths to consider:
According to historians, the 'Hebrew' Sabbath Day was known in ancient, pagan Rome as "the Day of Saturn," and is called Saturday in modern times. Through corruption of man-made doctrines, many Religious groups today have their own Sabbath days, but THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day remains unchanged.
The apostle Paul tells us that the Oracles of THE MOST HIGH were committed to the Hebrew, for our profit [to be a light and witness to the world]. It is interesting to note, that in order to confirm which day of the week the ancient Sabbath Day fell upon, we need not go back any earlier than when Messiah walked on the earth.
Yahushua Messiah Himself did not sin, so we know He observed the true Sabbath Day of THE MOST HIGH. Note that He observed the same Sabbath Day as did the Hebrew — which over a time span of 2,000 years, down to the present day, has not changed at all. The true Sabbath Day remains the same to this day — as attested to every Saturday, by every Hebrew tabernacle in the land!
Despite calendar changes that designate Sunday as the seventh day, and despite corruptions introduced by Rome, the true Sabbath Day remains as a witness that THE MOST HIGH is indeed the Creator, and that THE MOST HIGH continues to have a remnant of those who continue to honour THE MOST HIGH, by keeping His Sabbath Day holy.
It is said that those who do not observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, are giving testimony that they do not believe in THE MOST HIGH as Creator! Might it be true, that those Believers who do not observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, are teaching evolution — simply by the testimony of their example of not observing the Creator's Sabbath Day?
• What does this mean for Believers today, in a practical sense?
When we consider the Fourth Commandment, here is a summary of some truths to consider:
The Fourth Commandment: Truths to Consider
• THE MOST HIGH calls His people to remember to keep the
Sabbath Day holy, in the ways He has specified;
• THE MOST HIGH's true Sabbath Day is the seventh day;
• The seventh day is today called Saturday;
• On the seventh day [Saturday] we are not allowed to do any
work ourselves, nor are we to require anyone else — including employees,
service personnel [waiters], or work animals — to work for us;
When we consider the above truths of what the Fourth
Commandment is telling us, we now face a decision.
Will we choose to follow THE MOST HIGH, by obedience to His Word — or will we choose to follow some Religious group's Sabbath, by obedience to their words? The apostle Paul tells us that whose Commandments we choose to obey, reveals which master we have chosen to serve (Romans 6:15-17; Joshua 24:15).
If we choose not to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, even though we may gather for religious worship on some other day, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1 John 3:4).
Like Messiah's Disciples, we may gather together in Messiah's name every day of the week, but we are still called upon to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day.
If we choose to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, but in a way other than as He specifies, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1 John 3:4).
If we choose to work on Saturday, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which is sin (1 John 3:4).
Again, THE MOST HIGH does give us a choice. He watches us, to see whether we will follow Him, by careful obedience to what He has said in His Word — or whether we choose to follow our own dictates, choosing instead to remain in the convenience of our own lifestyle.
Again, Father is looking for a Bride for His son, and He is looking for hearts that are soft and teachable, and fully yielded to obedience to His Word.
What can we conclude? As the apostle Paul tells us (Romans 3:20b; Romans 7:7b), it is by the Torah [law] that we have knowledge of sin — so that we become aware of what sin is — so we can avoid committing sin
The Ten Commandments form the most basic list of commands that reveal to us what sin is. If we choose to disobey any of these commands, we know we have transgressed the Law — we have committed a sin (1 John 3:4).
In this example, we have seen what the Fourth Commandment is, and some of the details of how to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day.
We have also seen how our sin is revealed to us, when we compare what we are currently doing, against what THE MOST HIGH has said in His Word, about the Fourth Commandment.
For further insight into the Biblical Sabbath Day as a sign or 'token' [a distinguishing mark] of the Everlasting [New] Covenant, and the great importance of Born-Again Believers observing the Sabbath Day.
When we as Born-Again Believers read the Ten Commandments, we may cloak ourselves in willful ignorance, but we cannot hide from the eyes of THE MOST HIGH, whose eternal rewards ['recompense'] will be according to what we have done (2Cor 5:10; Rev 2:23, 26), regarding our obedience to His Word.
It is for this reason that Messiah continues to call out to us today, calling lovingly [and repeatedly] to His Blood-Redeemed Ones, to repent — to cease walking in our own ways of disobedience to Messiah's Commandments, and begin to walk in obedience to His Word (Rev 2:1 - Rev 3:22; Isaiah 44:22).
Will we choose to follow THE MOST HIGH, by obedience to His Word — or will we choose to follow some Religious group's Sabbath, by obedience to their words? The apostle Paul tells us that whose Commandments we choose to obey, reveals which master we have chosen to serve (Romans 6:15-17; Joshua 24:15).
If we choose not to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, even though we may gather for religious worship on some other day, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1 John 3:4).
Like Messiah's Disciples, we may gather together in Messiah's name every day of the week, but we are still called upon to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day.
If we choose to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day, but in a way other than as He specifies, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which according to the apostle John, is sin (1 John 3:4).
If we choose to work on Saturday, then we are in disobedience to the 4th Commandment, which is sin (1 John 3:4).
Again, THE MOST HIGH does give us a choice. He watches us, to see whether we will follow Him, by careful obedience to what He has said in His Word — or whether we choose to follow our own dictates, choosing instead to remain in the convenience of our own lifestyle.
Again, Father is looking for a Bride for His son, and He is looking for hearts that are soft and teachable, and fully yielded to obedience to His Word.
What can we conclude? As the apostle Paul tells us (Romans 3:20b; Romans 7:7b), it is by the Torah [law] that we have knowledge of sin — so that we become aware of what sin is — so we can avoid committing sin
The Ten Commandments form the most basic list of commands that reveal to us what sin is. If we choose to disobey any of these commands, we know we have transgressed the Law — we have committed a sin (1 John 3:4).
In this example, we have seen what the Fourth Commandment is, and some of the details of how to observe THE MOST HIGH's Sabbath Day.
We have also seen how our sin is revealed to us, when we compare what we are currently doing, against what THE MOST HIGH has said in His Word, about the Fourth Commandment.
For further insight into the Biblical Sabbath Day as a sign or 'token' [a distinguishing mark] of the Everlasting [New] Covenant, and the great importance of Born-Again Believers observing the Sabbath Day.
When we as Born-Again Believers read the Ten Commandments, we may cloak ourselves in willful ignorance, but we cannot hide from the eyes of THE MOST HIGH, whose eternal rewards ['recompense'] will be according to what we have done (2Cor 5:10; Rev 2:23, 26), regarding our obedience to His Word.
It is for this reason that Messiah continues to call out to us today, calling lovingly [and repeatedly] to His Blood-Redeemed Ones, to repent — to cease walking in our own ways of disobedience to Messiah's Commandments, and begin to walk in obedience to His Word (Rev 2:1 - Rev 3:22; Isaiah 44:22).
If You Love Me: The Goal Is Love
When Yahushua Messiah was asked which is the greatest
Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), He answered by stating the two greatest
Commandments found in Torah:
1) "Love THE MOST HIGH" (Deuteronomy 6:5)
2) "Love Your Neighbour" (Leviticus 19:18)
It is important for us to understand, that all the
Commandments in Scripture do not 'boil down' to just these two Commandments,
such that all the rest have somehow disappeared.
Instead, notice that the two 'Love' commandments above, quoted from the Torah by Messiah, are seen simply as categories or 'headings' from which all the other commandments descend or hang.
This clue given by Messiah tells us that the Ten Commandments, as a whole, can be seen be in two parts, coming under the two Great Commandments as two main headings:
Instead, notice that the two 'Love' commandments above, quoted from the Torah by Messiah, are seen simply as categories or 'headings' from which all the other commandments descend or hang.
This clue given by Messiah tells us that the Ten Commandments, as a whole, can be seen be in two parts, coming under the two Great Commandments as two main headings:
The Ten Commandments: Two Parts
1) Love THE MOST HIGH (Deut 6:5)
Commandment #1
Commandment #2
Commandment #3
Commandment #4
2) Love Your Neighbour (Lev 19:18)
Commandment #5
Commandment #6
Commandment #7
Commandment #8
Commandment #9
Commandment #10
Notice that the first 4 Commandments are in the First Group.
These describe how we are to love THE MOST HIGH.
Notice that the last 6 Commandments are in the Second Group. These describe how we are to love our neighbour.
These two groups of Commandments tell us how we are to love THE MOST HIGH, and how we are to love our neighbour, in the ways that THE MOST HIGH has defined for us:
Notice that the last 6 Commandments are in the Second Group. These describe how we are to love our neighbour.
These two groups of Commandments tell us how we are to love THE MOST HIGH, and how we are to love our neighbour, in the ways that THE MOST HIGH has defined for us:
•Those who choose to love THE MOST HIGH, will choose to obey
the first 4 Commandments.
•Those who choose to love their neighbour, will choose to
obey the last 6 Commandments.
•Those who choose to love THE MOST HIGH and their neighbour,
will choose to obey all Ten Commandments.
With this in mind, let's see how 'love' is described in the
Scriptures.
The apostle Paul tells us that the goal of our keeping Yahushua's Commandments is "Love from a pure heart" (1 Tim 1:5). Our goal is to love Yahushua, and to love the Brethren. But then the apostle John tells us, "This is love — to walk according to His Commandments" (2John 1:6). Here we see Paul and John both confirming what is said in the 2nd Commandment (Exodus 20:6), that to love Him is to keep His commandments.
Yahushua reminds us, "If you love me, keep MY Commandments" (John 14:15). And so we see everywhere in the Scriptures, that love is measured by our voluntary obedience to THE MOST HIGH's Commandments.
Let us remember, these are all THE MOST HIGH's Commandments, which Yahushua Messiah spoke. Thus if we truly love Yahushua, we will begin to keep His Commandments, beginning with the most basic ones Messiah spoke to Moses — the Ten Commandments.
The apostle Paul tells us that the goal of our keeping Yahushua's Commandments is "Love from a pure heart" (1 Tim 1:5). Our goal is to love Yahushua, and to love the Brethren. But then the apostle John tells us, "This is love — to walk according to His Commandments" (2John 1:6). Here we see Paul and John both confirming what is said in the 2nd Commandment (Exodus 20:6), that to love Him is to keep His commandments.
Yahushua reminds us, "If you love me, keep MY Commandments" (John 14:15). And so we see everywhere in the Scriptures, that love is measured by our voluntary obedience to THE MOST HIGH's Commandments.
Let us remember, these are all THE MOST HIGH's Commandments, which Yahushua Messiah spoke. Thus if we truly love Yahushua, we will begin to keep His Commandments, beginning with the most basic ones Messiah spoke to Moses — the Ten Commandments.
My Sayings
The Ten Commandments seen above are only a small part of the
overall collection of statutes, commandments, precepts, laws, judgments,
ordinances, testimonies, words, and sayings which Messiah has spoken from The
Beginning [from the Book of Genesis onward]. The Commandments of God are not
considered to be only ten, or 613, or any specific number, but are seen in
Scripture as the 'voice' of God, and consist of 'every word' that proceeds from
the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
Taken together, all of Messiah's statutes, commandments, precepts, laws, judgments, testimonies, words, and sayings, are eternal, and they speak of Father's eternal, unchanging will. They tell us THE MOST HIGH's definition of how we are to be holy, and how we are to walk in His ways. They also tell us of those things in which He delights, and of those things He considers abomination. It is from all of His Words, that we learn His Ways.
And as we continue to observe His Ways, and as we become obedient to His Words, He causes us to grow in our love for Him. We begin to love what He loves, and to hate what He hates. We thus come to know Him, as we walk with Him, day-by-day.
These Ten Commandments are more than simply broad categories of commandments seen throughout the Scriptures. They are also literal Commandments that express Father's will, as 'House Rules' for His children.
Taken together, all of Messiah's statutes, commandments, precepts, laws, judgments, testimonies, words, and sayings, are eternal, and they speak of Father's eternal, unchanging will. They tell us THE MOST HIGH's definition of how we are to be holy, and how we are to walk in His ways. They also tell us of those things in which He delights, and of those things He considers abomination. It is from all of His Words, that we learn His Ways.
And as we continue to observe His Ways, and as we become obedient to His Words, He causes us to grow in our love for Him. We begin to love what He loves, and to hate what He hates. We thus come to know Him, as we walk with Him, day-by-day.
These Ten Commandments are more than simply broad categories of commandments seen throughout the Scriptures. They are also literal Commandments that express Father's will, as 'House Rules' for His children.
House Rules for His Children
The external commandments were given as a 'schoolmaster,' to
accomplish two objectives. First, they were given to bring conviction of sin to
us, that we might realize our need for a Saviour, and run to Messiah for
salvation (Gal 3:24); and second, to train Father's children in how to live
according to Father's House Rules, and according to Father's Ways.
As Father writes His external Torah on the inward tables of our hearts, and as we become more obedient, we come to rely less and less on the external schoolmaster, instead relying on the conviction of the Holy Spirit to illuminate and bring to our remembrance all the Words of the Covenant written on the heart (Gal 3:25). It is the rebellious children that abandon all that the Schoolmaster taught; and it is the strange woman [estranged congregation of Believers] that forsakes the Schoolmaster, and forgets THE MOST HIGH's Covenant (Proverbs 2:17).
We might ask, "How does Father train His children to keep His Torah and His judgments, His statutes and His Commandments?"
In the Psalms, Father tells us the answer. Speaking prophetically of Yahushua Messiah, and of His children — the Born-Again Believers of today — notice what Father tells us:
As Father writes His external Torah on the inward tables of our hearts, and as we become more obedient, we come to rely less and less on the external schoolmaster, instead relying on the conviction of the Holy Spirit to illuminate and bring to our remembrance all the Words of the Covenant written on the heart (Gal 3:25). It is the rebellious children that abandon all that the Schoolmaster taught; and it is the strange woman [estranged congregation of Believers] that forsakes the Schoolmaster, and forgets THE MOST HIGH's Covenant (Proverbs 2:17).
We might ask, "How does Father train His children to keep His Torah and His judgments, His statutes and His Commandments?"
In the Psalms, Father tells us the answer. Speaking prophetically of Yahushua Messiah, and of His children — the Born-Again Believers of today — notice what Father tells us:
Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of
the earth. 28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall
stand fast with him. 29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his
throne as the days of heaven. 30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not
in my judgments; 31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer
my faithfulness to fail. (Psalms 89:27-33)
In the above passage, we see how the Born-Again,
Holy-Spirit-filled Believers, as children of Messiah, will undergo the
discipline of a loving Father. Here we are told that Father will visit our
transgression with the rod, and our iniquity with stripes, if we break Father's
statutes, and refuse to walk in His judgments — that is, if we forsake His Law
[Torah], and do not keep His Commandments.
Perhaps many of the troubles we go through in life may result from our continuing to listen to Preachers and other Spiritual Leaders who tell us we need not 'keep the Law,' and thus we become disobedient. Many spiritual Leaders today tell their followers it is not necessary to pay attention to THE MOST HIGH's Commandments. Those Leaders who contradict the Scriptures are leading their followers to what the apostle Paul calls 'shipwreck of the Faith' (1Timothy 1:19), and what Yahushua tells us is a 'house built upon the sand' (Matthew 7:26).
Perhaps many of the troubles we go through in life may result from our continuing to listen to Preachers and other Spiritual Leaders who tell us we need not 'keep the Law,' and thus we become disobedient. Many spiritual Leaders today tell their followers it is not necessary to pay attention to THE MOST HIGH's Commandments. Those Leaders who contradict the Scriptures are leading their followers to what the apostle Paul calls 'shipwreck of the Faith' (1Timothy 1:19), and what Yahushua tells us is a 'house built upon the sand' (Matthew 7:26).
Ruling and Reigning in the Kingdom
Let's look briefly in Scripture, to see who obeys the Ten
Commandments, and who does not obey them. To see this, let's fast-forward in
time, to have a prophetic glimpse of what each group has as their future
destination.
Our first picture is of those who overcome all the obstacles, because they have been given patience and endurance:
Our first picture is of those who overcome all the obstacles, because they have been given patience and endurance:
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep
the commandments of God, and the faith of Yeshua (Revelation 14:12).
These are called saints who have patience and endurance at
the end time. Notice that the saints are described as those who do keep the
Commandments of THE MOST HIGH, and ['which is'] the Faith of Yahushua.
We see yet another picture of those who do keep the Commandments of THE MOST HIGH:
We see yet another picture of those who do keep the Commandments of THE MOST HIGH:
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may
have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the
city. (Revelation 22:14)
In the above passage, we are told of those who become
"DO-ers" of His commandments, 'that' [in order that] they may have
right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city
[the New Jerusalem, the City of the King].
Notice that the above passage clearly tells us that having right to the Tree of Life, and entering-in through the gates into the City, are both dependent upon doing His Commandments!
Now let's look at the next verse in this passage, to see those who do not keep His Commandments:
Notice that the above passage clearly tells us that having right to the Tree of Life, and entering-in through the gates into the City, are both dependent upon doing His Commandments!
Now let's look at the next verse in this passage, to see those who do not keep His Commandments:
For without [outside the city] are dogs, and sorcerers, and
whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a
lie (Revelation 22:15).
In the above two verses, we are first told of those who are
allowed to enter into the New Jerusalem — they that DO His commandments. We are
then given a description of those who will not be allowed into the New
Jerusalem, the City of the King — they that were disobedient to His
commandments.
Those that must remain outside the City include those who had been redeemed by Messiah, but continued to be disobedient to the Commandments spoken by Messiah — which is all of Torah. The prophetic picture of this as applying to Believers today, is clearly seen in (Isaiah 44:22), where all His Redeemed ones are exhorted to return to Father. We return to Father, simply by obedience to His Word (Deut 4:30; 30:2,8).
From the above passages, we see that only those who keep Yahushua's Commandments [which are His Father's Commandments (John 14:24)], will be allowed into the City of the King, to rule with Him [Yahushua], and to reign with Him.
Those that must remain outside the City include those who had been redeemed by Messiah, but continued to be disobedient to the Commandments spoken by Messiah — which is all of Torah. The prophetic picture of this as applying to Believers today, is clearly seen in (Isaiah 44:22), where all His Redeemed ones are exhorted to return to Father. We return to Father, simply by obedience to His Word (Deut 4:30; 30:2,8).
From the above passages, we see that only those who keep Yahushua's Commandments [which are His Father's Commandments (John 14:24)], will be allowed into the City of the King, to rule with Him [Yahushua], and to reign with Him.
Conclusion
We have seen that the Ten Commandments are Father's
Commandments, and yet they are Messiah's Commandments. We have seen that
Messiah, as the Word of THE MOST HIGH, spoke the Ten Commandments, and wrote
them with His own finger, and gave them to Moses.
We have seen that the Ten Commandments form a small part of the many Commandments spoken by Messiah. We have seen the importance of the Commandments to reveal sin, and the importance of walking in obedience the Commandments, in order to show our love for Messiah.
We have seen that Messiah's sayings [all of Father's Commandments] make up a part of Father's House Rules. We have fast-forwarded to the future, to see who will keep these commandments, and who will not keep them.
Beloved, over the past 2,000 years we have lost sight of who it was that spoke the Ten Commandments. Let us re-gain that understanding, so that we might choose to return to Him, and to love Him, by keeping His Commandments!
Many Believers today have not yet realized that Messiah is the WORD of THE MOST HIGH, who spoke to Abraham, and to Moses, and to all the Prophets -- and that Messiah's words include all the Commandments of the Law [Torah]. And so it is, that Messiah continues to cry out to His Born-again children today, asking this question:
We have seen that the Ten Commandments form a small part of the many Commandments spoken by Messiah. We have seen the importance of the Commandments to reveal sin, and the importance of walking in obedience the Commandments, in order to show our love for Messiah.
We have seen that Messiah's sayings [all of Father's Commandments] make up a part of Father's House Rules. We have fast-forwarded to the future, to see who will keep these commandments, and who will not keep them.
Beloved, over the past 2,000 years we have lost sight of who it was that spoke the Ten Commandments. Let us re-gain that understanding, so that we might choose to return to Him, and to love Him, by keeping His Commandments!
Many Believers today have not yet realized that Messiah is the WORD of THE MOST HIGH, who spoke to Abraham, and to Moses, and to all the Prophets -- and that Messiah's words include all the Commandments of the Law [Torah]. And so it is, that Messiah continues to cry out to His Born-again children today, asking this question:
And why do you call me, Master, Master, and do not [do] the
things which I say? (Luke 6:46)
Dear Reader, What are the Ten Commandments?
They are Messiah's Commandments to us today!
Shema selah!! Fiveamprayer we have to hear and hearken to the order and directions of our King the Most High!! https://www.facebook.com/fiveam.prayer/videos/1667888059955970/?l=6574800155683816361
