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God's Research Paper: The Decalogue Today

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GOD’S STORY RESEARCH PAPER: THE DECALOGUE

JAMES A. BYER
AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

Abstract

When deciding what topic to pick for this research paper, the Decalogue stood out to me first, especially with all the unfortunate events we have seen happening around us lately in our society, the lack of love we have for ourselves and others is disheartening. Although the Ten Commandments were created as a way for the Israelites to conform to God’s way of life during a certain timeframe and culture, they are still applicable to our society and culture today.

The Significance of the Decalogue:

After the people of Israel reached the wilderness of Sinai, three months following their exodus from …show more content…

There are three versions of the Decalogue mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures in the Old Testament, they are Exodus 20:2-17, Exodus 34:12-26, and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, with the version in Exodus 20 being the most commonly cited. In further research, attempts to remove 10 Commandment Statues, it is important to understand that the Ten Commandments were created within an entirely different culture with very different expectations of its citizens. It was an ancient Hebrew theocracy, in which church and state were blended and everyone was expected to follow state religion. During this time those choosing a different faith could find themselves sentenced to death, unlike today where we now have religious freedom and religious tolerance with the United States being the most religiously diverse country in the world. (religioustolerance.org). This realization makes a big difference when reading the story of Moses and when trying to understand the Ten Commandments and their meaning, especially as the Israelites were chosen "to be God's own treasured possession" as a result from God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15 & 17), and even during this timeframe, the laws God gives for the Israelites emulates all that is needed to be the people he desired them to be as they were already used to laws as slaves of Egypt, God was not …show more content…

64). When the Lord called onto Moses from the mountain, saying, “Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples (Exodus 19:5-6). As we know, God gave Moses on Mount Sinai the Decalogue, inscribed on stone tablets, which was intended for the obedience of the Israelites in order to demonstrate their love and faith in God. Bartholomew, explains that Israel has been called by God for a special purpose, one much more important than any could imagine as the end result is that of God living among us, his people. They are chosen to be God’s own treasured possession, for service, for the sake of the nations. If they live under his reign, they will be a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation”. (Exodus 19:6). He further states that, "As the Israelites obey God, they will demonstrate what life under God’s reign looks like. The Ten Commandments the “Ten Statements” Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 are the general stipulations for Israel in covenant relationship with God, the instructions that follow the Ten Words thus articulate the core principles that God intends and are to shape the lives of his people so that their lives will reflect his character." (Bartholomew, pg. 65) In order for the Israelites to

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