Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 22:28-31.

“28 “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

29 “You shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

31 “You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh torn to pieces in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.” Exodus 22:28-31.

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“But, what about our ruler!”: some may interject. “He deserves to be cussed out!!”

Today’s Scripture directly and strongly answers: “No. You shall not curse a ruler of your people.”

Specifically, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:1-7.

Generally, “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28.

In summary, instead of cursing, we give prayers, subjection, and honor to our rulers.

The foregoing Scripture also gives us reasons to do so: “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:2. “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God”; “rulers are servants of God”. Romans 13:1 and 6. A ruler is “a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Romans 13:4.

In summary, justice is delivered to us by our rulers.

Therefore, “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 22:21-27.

“21 “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. 23 If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; 24 and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

25 “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest. 26 If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, 27 for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.” Exodus 22:21-27.

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God is gracious. God cares about the strangers, widows, and orphans. God’s laws reflect His gracious character.

“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.”  Psalm 116:5-6.

We too should be gracious. We should care about the strangers, widows, and orphans. Our laws, policies, and practices should reflect our gracious character.

First, we can start by being good friends, good husbands, and good fathers. Accordingly, there won’t be so many strangers, widows, and orphans.

Second, we can at least not take advantage of the weakness of strangers, widows, and orphans. We at least do not “afflict” them (even if we won’t help them).

Third, we should do more; we should reach out to others to help them. “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27.

We become “Good Samaritans”.

“And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:25-37.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 22:16-20.

“16 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry for her to be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.

18 “You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

19 “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

20 “He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the Lord alone, shall be utterly destroyed.” Exodus 22:16-20.

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If it is understandable that a King demands allegiance to Himself and obedience to his laws, why is it so surprising that Almighty God would do likewise?!

In other words, our first reaction should not be rebellious: “How peculiar and how strict are these laws!”

Our first reaction should be: “The LORD is Almighty God, sovereign over heaven and earth.  He deserves sole allegiance and obedience to Himself.  The LORD demands it.  Let us pay close attention to His concern for virgins and that He does not tolerate sorcery and lying with an animal (and whatever else He demands), no matter how peculiar and strict.”

“10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,

And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” Proverbs 9:10-12.

We may think that we are wise and do not need to obey God’s laws that we think are peculiar or outdated. We may think that we can just dismiss them out of hand. But, “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

But, we should start with the fear of the LORD. We should tremble at verse 20: ““He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the Lord alone, shall be utterly destroyed.”

Then, we should seek to know the LORD better through the diligent reading of His Word (“the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”) And, we don’t use a snippet of peculiar Scripture as an excuse to reject all of Scripture (and, on the other hand, we don’t use it to storm off for a “witch hunt”). We cross-reference the peculiar snippet of Scripture with other Scripture (such as Scripture that commands us to love our neighbor and to recognize that government alone has authority to bear the sword). We also distinguish ceremonial laws from moral laws. Finally, we realize that now that we are joined to Christ, we “serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:6.

“All Scripture (even Exodus 22:16-20) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

In conclusion, through diligent study of Scripture, we will understand more and more the justice and the mercy of God’s laws. We will also obey them, and we will also wisely apply them in our own laws and policies and practices.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 22:1-15.

“1 If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

2 “If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. 3 But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.

5 “If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

6 “If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall surely make restitution.

7 “If a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep for him and it is stolen from the man’s house, if the thief is caught, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house shall appear before the judges, to determine whether he laid his hands on his neighbor’s property. 9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 “If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while no one is looking, 11 an oath before the Lord shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

14 “If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution; if it is hired, it came for its hire.” Exodus 22:1-15.

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Justice may be blind in the sense of it being impartial, but justice is very sharp and wise in observing, determining factual distinctions, and applying appropriate punishments.

As we cover property rights, we see justice’s continued concern for factual distinctions. Justice is not in a rush to blindly punish on the basis of “one punishment fits all violations of a property right”. As with ordinances covering personal injuries, we continue to see proportionate punishment based on the severity of the crime, and within each type of crime, we see various punishments (restitutions) based on factual distinctions.

By wisdom kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

“1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,

To discern the sayings of understanding,

3 To receive instruction in wise behavior,

Righteousness, justice and equity;” Proverbs 1:1-3.

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“6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 Guarding the paths of justice,

And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice

And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:6-9.

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“12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

And I find knowledge and discretion.

13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way

And the perverted mouth, I hate.

14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;

I am understanding, power is mine.

15 “By me kings reign,

And rulers decree justice.

16 “By me princes rule, and nobles,

All who judge rightly.” Proverbs 8:12-16.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 21:28-35.

“28 “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished. 29 If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him. 31 Whether it gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule. 32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall give his or her master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

33 “If a man opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it over, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

35 “If one man’s ox hurts another’s so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its price equally; and also they shall divide the dead ox. 36 Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not confined it, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall become his.” Exodus 21:28-35.

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We go from Ordinances covering punishment for personal injuries to Ordinances covering restitution for property rights. Justice concerns itself with both subjects.

Again, in today’s age, we do not come across property rights involving an ox or a donkey, but hopefully we can appreciate the wise distinctions that justice makes in assessing restitution. This also is similar to proportionate punishment. Restitution is proportionate to the severity of the violation of a property right.

But, more important than the subject of restitution is the subject of redemption. The focus of this daily devotion is the introduction of the subject of redemption in verse 30.

Redemption involves sufficient payment to cover the debt owed and to restore something to someone. We see even from today’s Scripture that redemption can be costly. “If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him.” Verses 29 and 30.  Emphasis is added.

But, redemption of a soul from going to hell due to one’s sins is even more costly.

“7 No man can by any means redeem his brother

Or give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of his soul is costly,

And he should cease trying forever—

9 That he should live on eternally,

That he should not undergo decay.” Psalm 49:7-9.

But, there is hope!

“O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.” Psalm 130:7.

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,” Luke 1:68.

“being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;” Romans 3:24.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 21:12-25.

“12 “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13 But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee. 14 If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.

15 “He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

16 “He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.

17 “He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

18 “If men have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but remains in bed, 19 if he gets up and walks around outside on his staff, then he who struck him shall go unpunished; he shall only pay for his loss of time, and shall take care of him until he is completely healed.

20 “If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. 21 If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property.

22 “If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. 23 But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Exodus 21:12-25.

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Today’s Scripture, summarized by the last three verses, teaches us that proportionate punishment must be in our laws. Punishment should be proportionate to the severity of the crime.  And yet, many misuse these phrases such as “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” as just an excuse for their personal vengeance.

Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-42. In other words, Jesus was teaching us that even though we have the legal right according to justice to obtain a proportionate restitution or punishment, we should forgive and show mercy and love those who wrong us.

But, Jesus’ words do not eliminate the need for society to enact laws based on proportionate punishment. Laws should give Judges discretion to show mercy at times when the specific facts warrant it according to their judgment, but at a minimum floor of justice (so to speak), laws should not force Judges to punish beyond what is proportionate for the crime.

However, we live in a time when laws are promoted by Christians which are basically “one size fits all”. There are laws which give a mandatory minimum punishment no matter what the facts are. These laws take away discretion from the Judges in the false name of “Law and Order”.

Let us remember that “Law and Order” (or similar terms) was used by wicked tyrants to justify their claimed absolute right to do whatever they wanted to do.

“Law and Order” should be just. “Law and Order” should be based on the cornerstone of proportionate punishment.

And yet, we see “the religious right” at the forefront of the push to enact laws that go away from proportionate punishment. These people who claim to be Christians, and who do so, are cruel, not just.

There is a pressure on Christians to be more politically motivated to be within such a political group of “the religious right” allegedly fighting for “Law and Order” than to be spiritually motivated to understand what Scripture teaches about justice and mercy and to promote laws that best show justice and mercy.

Therefore, when we read today’s Scripture, even though its ordinances do seem strange and impractical, let us work hard to glean basic principles of justice such as proportionate punishment.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 21:1-11.

““Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them:

2 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. 3 If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.

7 “If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do. 8 If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. 10 If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. 11 If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.” Exodus 21:1-11.

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We just finished the Ten Commandments which are more general. We now move to Ordinances which are specific applications of justice and mercy.

Laws (including ordinances) are needed in every age. These specific ordinances in today’s Scripture seem strange to us, not knowing the customs of that time, and these ordinances are impractical to us, with very different practices in our time. But, we should appreciate the specific application of justice and mercy in the construction of laws (including ordinances).

In every age, wise legislators on the national and state level and wise administrators in the local level should strive to incorporate justice and mercy into their specific laws and policies. They should not be carried away by special powerful interests or by mob demand. They should ask with every law or policy that they are considering: “How can we best establish justice and mercy?”

We look to our Heavenly Father and what He does.

“He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18

“He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:5

“The strength of the King loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” Psalm 99:4

And so, we too should hate evil, love good, and establish justice.

“Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the Lord God of hosts May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:15

“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:22-26.

“22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24 You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’” Exodus 20:22-26.

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There are many who think that by building steps (so to speak) they can ascend to heaven and bring down Christ to us. But, we are dependent on God coming to us and blessing us.

“For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:5-10.

There are many who think that by the steps of their alleged free-will works that they can (so to speak) ascend into heaven and bring Christ down to them (in other words, obtain and deserve their own salvation). But, we are dependent on God coming to us and blessing us.

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.

There are many who think that by the steps of their wisdom and their will that they can (so to speak) ascend into heaven and bring Christ down to them (in other words, obtain and deserve their own salvation). “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-31.

Today’s Scripture teaches: “I will come to you and bless you.”

Reformed Doctrine teaches that God comes to us and blesses us by “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Reformed Doctrine teaches that God comes to us and blesses us by “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Reformed Doctrine teaches that God comes to us and blesses us by “Irresistable Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Reformed Doctrine teaches that God comes to us and blesses us by “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:18-21.

“All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.” Exodus 20:18-21.

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10

“4 Tremble, and do not sin;

Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And trust in the Lord.” Psalm 4:4-5.

We notice in these three Scriptures that there is not only the fear of the Lord, there are indications of obedience, hope, praise, and trust in the Lord.

First, in today’s Scripture, we see that despite the awesome and fearful thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, and the voice of God commanding, although all feared God (so that they may not sin), in addition we read that “Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.” So, likewise, although we fear God and are thus motivated to not sin, we also go to church today to approach God. We know that we are sinful people, but we still hope that God will be gracious to us.

Second, in the above Psalm 111:10, although we fear the Lord and thus have good understanding to do His commandments, we also praise the Lord.

Third, in the above Psalm 4:4-5, although we tremble and do not sin, we also offer “the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:17.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17.

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Here is what the Westminster Larger Catechism states about this tenth commandment: “You shall not covet”.

Question 147: What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.

Question 148: What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate; envying and grieving at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.

We are at the end of the ten commandments, the end of the Law, and the end of the school year (so to speak). We have arrived at Christ (The Perfect Ending).

The Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ. Galatians 3:24. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. Romans 10:4. We were made to die to the Law and be joined to Christ that we may bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4.

The Law has made us realize how sinful that we are and that we need a Savior. But, the Law made nothing perfect.

“(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:19

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.” Hebrews 10:1

“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.” Romans 7:7-8.

We are no longer under the Law. We were made to die to the Law. We are now in Christ: The Perfect Ending.

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (the Law). For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:25-26.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:4-6.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4.

“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:19-21.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. …” Ephesians 1:7-10.