Explanation: In Exodus 20, the LORD gives the Ten Commandments and begins to give additional laws. (As a side note, Moses did not receive the tablets with the Ten Commandments until chapter 31, after a 40 day visit with the LORD on Mount Sinai). In chapter 20, the Law is given verbally. Chapter 20 opens as the LORD introduces himself audibly to the people as "the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (1-2). On that basis, he proceeds to give his laws: the first commandment is "You shall have no other gods before me" (3). In the second commandment, the LORD forbids idol making and idol worship because those who do so forsake God's love (4-6). The third commandment prohibits anyone from taking the LORD's name in vain (7). The fourth commandment commands a day of rest and cessation of work in imitation of God who rested on the seventh day (8-11). The fifth commandment says to honor your father and your mother (12). The sixth commandment forbids murder (13). The seventh commandment forbids adultery (14). The eighth commandment forbids theft (15). The ninth commandment forbids false witness (16). The tenth commandment forbids covetousness (17). The LORD spoke these commandments audibly to the people, and they asked Moses to speak to them instead of God, because they were afraid they might die if they continued to hear God audibly. So the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was (18-21). God then reiterated, to Moses, his prohibition against idolatry; and he commanded that altars be made of earth or of uncut stone without steps leading up to them, lest their nakedness be exposed upon them (22-26).
     The Ten Commandments are called a "covenant" (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:9); and they are the foundation of all the other laws of the Bible (the "Old Covenant" and the "New Covenant"). Also, from a literary standpoint they are arranged in a chiastic structure -- a form of parallelism in which a series of statements use similar or contrasting words, phrases, or thoughts in reverse order, with the reversal starting at the at the mid-point of the passage. In the case of the Ten Commandments, the parallelism is based on the area (thought, word, or deed) which is regulated by the commandment. The chiastic order is as follows: (# 1) Thoughts; (# 2) Thoughts; (# 3) Words; (# 4) Deeds; (# 5) Deeds; (# 6) Deeds; (# 7) Deeds; (# 8) Deeds; (# 9) Words; (# 10) Thoughts. The first commandment deals with the heart, as does the last, thus forming a framework for the Ten Commandments in which the condition of the heart determines not only the content of the thoughts, but also one's words and deeds, both of which proceed from the heart (cf., Proverbs 4:23).
     [ Sermons: Dominic Smart. James Philip. Various. ]
     [ Illustration: The ten images above depict each of the Ten Commandments, either directly or in respect to a derived concept. The First Image shows all worship in heaven and earth being directed to the triune God, as would be expected when his creatures had no other god but him. The Second Image shows a broken idol, as is appropriate to the second commandment. The Third Image exalts the name of God, as is appropriate for those who are careful not take the LORD's name in vain. The Fourth Image depicts a form of Sabbath rest, in this case a life dedicated to the things appropriate to Sabbath. The Fifth Image depicts the kind of inter-generational unity (arising from respect for one's parents) for which Native Americans are famous. The Sixth Image depicts the violation of the command which prohibits murder. The Seventh Image depicts a woman who violated the commandment against adultery. The Eighth Image depicts the opposite of a thief -- a man who was honest with money. The Ninth Image depicts an execution brought about by a false witness. The Tenth Image depicts a form of covetousness called envy -- in this case the wish to have the fame of another and to destroy that fame since it cannot be acquired by the covetous person. ]

     ²² And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. ²³ Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. ²⁴ An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. ²⁵ And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone , thou shalt not build it of hewn stone : for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. ²⁶ Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

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