Daily devotion – The Law in stone and in love!
Written in Stone for Our Blessing
Exodus 20:3–20
We often hear people say, “It’s not written in stone.” In other words, it is open to discussion, subject to change, or able to be challenged. But as we journey through the book of Exodus, we come to something that truly was written in stone. These are truths that are not subject to change, not open for debate, and not dependent upon human opinion. They stand firm because they come from the unchanging God.
The Law—God’s commandments, beginning with the Ten Commandments—reveals what God desires of His people. While many more laws follow throughout Exodus, these ten form the foundation and summary of God’s righteous standard (Exodus 20:3–17).
The commandments reveal two great responsibilities:
Supreme devotion to God.
Sincere affection for others.
The first four commandments teach us how to love and honour God:
No other gods before Him (v.3).
No carved images or idols (vv.4–6).
Do not take the Lord’s name in vain (v.7).
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (vv.8–11).
The remaining six teach us how to love our neighbour:
Honour your father and mother (v.12).
Do not murder (v.13).
Do not commit adultery (v.14).
Do not steal (v.15).
Do not bear false witness (v.16).
Do not covet (v.17).
At first glance these commandments seem straightforward. Yet when we honestly examine our own hearts, we quickly discover that we have broken them—not only by our actions but also in our thoughts, attitudes, and desires. The Law exposes our sin and shows us our desperate need for God’s grace.
Above all, the commandments reveal the holiness of God. He is utterly different from us—perfect in every attribute, completely righteous, and separated from all sin. The people of Israel sensed this immediately when they witnessed God’s presence on Mount Sinai. They pleaded with Moses:
“You speak with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:19).
Moses answered,
“Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” (Exodus 20:20).
Moses made a direct connection between reverencing God’s holiness and living a life that turns away from sin. A healthy fear of God is not a fear that drives us away from Him, but one that draws us to honour Him, obey Him, and worship Him with humble hearts.
The Law was never given to save us; it was given to show us our need of a Saviour. It points us to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God’s Law on our behalf and bore the penalty for our failure. Through faith in Him, we are forgiven, made righteous, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience—not to earn God’s love, but because we have already received it.
May we never treat God’s commandments lightly. They are not written in stone to burden us, but for our blessing, revealing God’s holy character and directing us to the only One who can transform our hearts.