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Exodus 20:2

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Exodus 20:2

Verse 2 of 26

Scripture focus

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 20:2 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 20:2

Theological / Devotional

I am the Lord. Literally, “I am Yahweh,” a name derived from the verb “to be,” “to become” (see on Ex. 3:14, 15). It means “the Existing One,” “the One who causes to be.” When, therefore, Jesus said to the Jews of His day, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), they understood that He was claiming to be “the Lord” of the OT. This explains their hostility and their attempt to kill Him (John 8:59). It was Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead, who was the “God” of the Israelites throughout their history (Ex. 32:34; John 1:1-3, 14; 6:46, 62; 17:5; 1 Cor. 10:4; Col. 1:13-18; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:17, 18; PP 366). It was He who gave them the Decalogue; it was He who declared Himself to be “Lord also of the sabbath” (Mark 2:28). The Gr. he zoe, “the living One” (Rev. 1:18, RSV), is equivalent to the Heb. Eyeh ’asher ’ehyeh, “I am that I am,” of Ex. 3:14.

The house of bondage. God proclaimed His holy law amid thunder and lightning, whose roll seems to find an echo in the imperatives “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.” The terrors of Sinai were designed to bring vividly before the people the awful solemnity of the last great judgment day (PP 339). The exacting precepts of the Decalogue stress the justice of their Author and the strictness of His requirements. But the law was also a reminder of His grace, for the very God who spoke the law is the One who led His people forth from Egypt and set them free from the yoke of bondage. It is He who gave the precious promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Since the Scriptures make Egypt symbolic of the state of sin (see Rev. 11:8), the deliverance of Israel from Egypt may appropriately be compared to the deliverance of all God’s people from the power of sin. The Lord liberated His people from the land of Pharaoh in order that He might give them His law (Ps. 105:42-45). Likewise, through the gospel, Christ frees us from the bondage of sin (John 8:34-36; 2 Peter 2:19) in order that we may keep His law, which in Him is translated into true obedience (John 15:10; Rom. 8:1-4). Let those who teach that the gospel of Christ frees us from the holy commands of the Decalogue reflect on this truth. Deliverance from Egypt was to provide the motive for obedience to God’s law. Note the order here: the Lord first saves Israel, then gives them His law to keep. The same order is true under the gospel. Christ first saves us from sin (see John 1:29; 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4), then lives out His law within us (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 4:25; 8:1-3; 1 Peter 2:24).

By SdaBc

Devotional

Exodus 20:22

Devotional on Exodus 20:22

Hearing God's Voice

In the heart of the Ten Commandments, just after their delivery to the people of Israel, we find a profound reminder in Exodus 20:22: "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.'" This verse may seem like a simple statement, but it holds a depth of meaning that calls us to reflect on the nature of God's communication with His people and our response to His voice.

Biblical Context

The backdrop of this verse is the awe-inspiring event at Mount Sinai, where God Himself descended in fire and smoke, with the sound of a trumpet growing louder and louder. The Israelites stood trembling as they witnessed the power and majesty of God. It was here that God delivered the Ten Commandments, a divine law that would shape the moral and spiritual fabric of His chosen people.

Exodus 20:22 serves as a reminder that the words they heard were not just from Moses but were directly from God. The Israelites had experienced firsthand the voice of the Almighty, a privilege that came with a responsibility to listen and obey.

Listening and Obeying

In our daily lives, hearing God's voice may not come with the same dramatic flair as it did on Mount Sinai, but He continues to speak to us through His Word, through prayer, and through the Holy Spirit. The challenge for us is not only to hear but to heed His voice.

In a world filled with noise and distraction, setting aside time to listen to God can seem daunting. Yet, it is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to "Be still, and know that I am God." It is in the stillness that we often hear His gentle whisper guiding us.

Practical Application

1. Create Space for God: Set aside a specific time each day for prayer and Bible study. This dedicated time allows us to focus on His voice without the interruptions of daily life.

2. Seek His Guidance: In decisions both big and small, ask God for guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our understanding.

3. Act in Faith: When God speaks, He often calls us to action. Whether it's reaching out to someone in need, changing a habit, or stepping out in faith, obeying His voice leads to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

A Prayer for Listening Hearts

Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us through Your Word and through the Holy Spirit. Help us to quiet our hearts and minds to hear Your voice clearly. Give us the courage to obey Your commands and to walk in Your ways. May we, like the Israelites, recognize the privilege of hearing from You and respond with faithful obedience. In Jesus' name, Amen.