Question 49:
What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments is, "I am
the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
Introduction
This week we will only consider one
short catechism with one verse. The
answer to Question 49 is identical to Exodus 20:2, so our verse will be easily
memorized. However, we probably should
include verse 1, since we will attempt to know all of Exodus 20:1-17 by the end
of our study of the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20:2
It has been nearly three months
since the Israelites have left
This was an important reminder
for the people of
Even more important was that God
not only delivered them out of the
We can see the shadow of God’s
gracious deliverance to come in His Son.
Moses was God’s chosen deliverer for the children of
Last, we see that the children of
It is significant to point out that
God is identified here in two ways.
First as LORD or Jehovah (the ever existing One). Embodied in Jehovah is that God is eternal,
that He is Creator, that He is sovereign, and that He is immutable. He is to be obeyed and trusted for He has
(and will) always existed and knows the “end from the beginning.” He is to be obeyed and trusted because He has
made us and knows us intimately. He is
to be obeyed and trusted because only He is in control of the events of this
world. He is to be obeyed and trusted
because the promise He made yesterday is true today and forever more. His nature and character will never
change. He is also God or elohihym, the One who is ruler and judge
overall. The One who should rightfully
condemn us has brought us to Himself and called us His children and
friend. How can we not obey every word
that proceeds from His mouth (even the ten to follow in this passage)?
1.
In times of doubt and distress, it is
important that we keep this “out of
2. Have
your family share testimonies of God’s deliverance (from sin, from health
problems, financial problems, relationship problems, etc.) noting that
sometimes God’s deliverance is through the problem and not out of it.
3.
What idols have we erected in place of
God? Do our actions demonstrate true
belief in the promises of God?
4. Have
the smaller children draw (or color from a book) an eagle as you read of God’s
deliverance “on eagle’s wings.”
Consider this quote from John
Gill. “As on eagles' wings, the note of
similitude being wanting, but to be supplied; for it cannot be thought that
they were literally bore on eagles' wings; but as that creature is reported to
be very affectionate to its young, and careful of it, and, as is said, only to
one; for, having more, it will cast away all but one, and reserve that, which
it carefully nourishes; and being swift of flight, and strong of wing, it will
in a remarkable manner take its young upon it, and safely and swiftly convey it
where it pleases. The eagle excels other birds both in its strength and in the
size of its body; and especially its pectoral muscles, by which its wings are
supported; are very strong, so that it can carry its young and other things, on
its back and wings. Jarchi observes,
that whereas other birds carry their young between their feet, for fear of
those that fly above them, the eagle flying above all others, and so in no fear
of them, carries its young upon its wings, judging it better that a dart should
pierce that than its young.”
Scripture:
Exodus 20:1-2.