Read Exodus 20:18-26 at Bible Gateway.
Hebrew paragraph divisions
Exo 20:18-21 {s} The fear of God prevents us from sinning
Exo 20:22-26 {p} Explanation of the first three commandments
Why do I say that Exo 20:22-26 {p} explains keeping the first three commandments? The first three commandments are:
- Have no gods before YHVH
- Do not make idols
- Do not profane YHVH’s name
Exo 20:22 And YHVH said to Moses: Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make anything with Me—gods of silver, or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24 An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and 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 mentioned I will come to you and bless you. 25 And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have profaned it. 26 Neither shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be uncovered on it. {p}
We saw that YHVH separates the first three commandments, by the {p} paragraph division, from the remaining seven commandments, revealing to us that the first three commandments teach us how we express our love to YHVH. Hmm, I am starting to see another structure reveal itself …
Strong theme
The fear of God helps us keep His commandments.
Sinning is defined in the first chapters of Scripture as breaking His commandment (Gen 2:4-3:21 strong theme, 1 Joh 3:4).
Fearing God is not the same as being terrified. The fear of God defined biblically is worshiping, submitting to He whom you recognize as greater than yourself. Healthy fear prevents a person from living unrestrained; from running out into the middle of a busy street, from driving 200 miles per hour down a highway, from injuring others in a fit of rage, or from stealing from an employer. Good parents instill healthy fear into their children, to keep them from unthinkingly going with strangers, or running away from Mommy or Daddy in a crowd. Instilling healthy fear is an act of love, really, which the parent does because he loves his child and does not want to see him come to harm.
The fear of YHVH is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Pro 1:7
Exo 20:18-26 {s+p} Chiastic structure
Leave a Reply