Keith is flying solo again and decides to take a deep dive into the Ten Commandments. Using some open-source tools, the focus is on the final commandment. The commands are in order of importance, but by beginning at the bottom of the list, the idea is to start with concepts that even unbelievers can understand and appreciate. In future installments, we’ll climb the ladder of commands, focusing on one at a time.
One resource is Keith’s notes taken while using Strong’s dictionary to read a digital version of the Hebrew Bible. Rough, but he also smooths it out by comparing it to the result in the NASB and KJV. A lot of insight can be gained in seeing how the original language phrases things and considering expanded meanings of keywords in a statement.
Another resource is a cross-reference by the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. While it’s always a good idea to take a verse in the context of its larger passage, cross-referencing is a good way to see how scripture comments about itself. Ideas like the absolute authority of God is not an isolated concept and can be found all through scripture. Keith begins by demonstrating this by digging into the first two verses in Exodus 20.
After reviewing the relationship God had with his people, as the deliverer who brought them out of bondage, he was definitely in the position to demand obedience to his commands. The order of the commands is in priority of importance to a believer. To reach out to a world that seems to be made up of mostly unbelievers, we start with commands that should make sense even to a believer in relativism.
The command about coveting is very simple. No coveting. The problem is that it’s so easy to do. It’s a problem of the heart. It’s bad enough when it’s acted upon, resulting in breaking other commands like theft or adultery. The fact that Moses expanded on it to forbid desiring various personal possessions, hints at the need to control your wandering eyes and thoughts.
Jesus made it very clear that the guilt of coveting or lusting starts in the desire, not the action. Remember Eve? Her sin started at the desire for the forbidden fruit. Desire sets the rebellion in motion. Once the mind is made up, there’s no stopping the sin that is to follow. Not that there is no hope for someone willing to listen to a word from the wise, or willing to allow God to displace the rebellious desire with his grace.
Hey, isn’t this idea of coveting a little unfair? Why shouldn’t I desire those accomplishments of my neighbor? He isn’t going to miss just one or two little trinkets if I take them, will he? Admiring or sharing in celebrating an accomplishment is fine. Just work towards your accomplishments.
The beauty of a good law is that it works the same for all people. In this case, it protects your neighbor from your greedy intent. It also protects you from the greedy intent of someone who may have a wicked, wandering eye on a property that you own and worked hard to get.
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Scriptures in the show notes and episode are quoted from the King James Version, except when read by Keith, then it’s the NASB.
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
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