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9th commandment

Living godly requires us to obey all Ten Commandments of God. For today’s discussion this post is specifically about the 9th Commandment.

What is the 9th Commandment?

God told Moses to record the following as the ninth commandment.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

You can read the above commandment for yourself in the Holy Bible, Book of Exodus chapter 20 verse 16.  God gives further explanation and details of how to obey this commandment in Exodus 23: 1 – 9.

Thou Shalt Not Lie

The ninth commandment meaning is translated to “thou shall not lie.” In the book of Exodus 23: 1- 9 God makes it plain and simple on what to do to live godly by this commandment. God says the following as translated by the New Century Version of the Holy Bible.

“You must not tell lies. If you are a witness in court, don’t help a wicked person by telling lies. You must not do wrong just because everyone else is doing it. If you are a witness in court, you must not ruin a fair trial. You must not tell lies just because everyone else is.

If a poor person is in court, you must not take his side just because he is poor. If you see your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away, you must return it to him. If you see that your enemy’s donkey has fallen because its load is too heavy, do not leave it there. You must help your enemy get the donkey back on its feet.

You must not be unfair to a poor person when he is in court. You must not lie when you accuse someone in court. Never allow an innocent or honest person to be put to death as punishment, because I will not treat guilty people as if they were innocent.

You must not accept money from a person who wants you to lie in court, because such money will not let you see what is right. Such money makes good people tell lies.

You must not mistreat a foreigner. You know how it feels to be a foreigner, because you were foreigners in Egypt.”

In summary, God is clear on how to obey the 9th Commandment.  There is nothing more I can say than to read God’s word out loud for yourself and meditate on it. God’s word is blessed.

Enforcing God’s 8th Commandment

Are we doing a good job of following God’s instructions on how to handle those who are disobedient to the 8th commandment; thou shalt not steal?  So in other words, if someone were to steal a car and they’re found with the car; based upon God’s word (read this post “What is the 8th Commandment – Thou Shalt Not Steal“), the victim should get two cars for the one car that was stolen. Therefore, at least double the price for the value of the car.  Is this happening?

This is how God wants us to handle the situation. Here is an example.

A thief steals, Tom’s car. The police thankfully find the thief a few days later with the car. Now the judicial system reviews the finances of the thief to determine if he has the money to repay Tom double the value of the car. If the thief has the available funds the car plus a check of the value of the car is given to Tom. Tom is happy; he receives his car back in good condition and cash for the value of his car. Now if the court determines that the thief does not have the amount of money that is required to provide the restitution, repayment of double?  Then, the thief shall become a slave to work off the repayment.

Now, this later part of having a thief become a slave really worked on my heart. If someone does steal something more likely they do not have money anyway.  And more likely, they probably don’t have a place to stay or they probably don’t have food or job or income anyway.  So we’ll have to help that person and that person will have to work for us.  And how hard would it be to trust that person to work for you knowing that they stole from you.  Will probably have to feed them, clothe them and shelter them, which is all of the things that God wants to do to be righteous.  I do not want someone to work for me that stole from me. Why would I want the thief to become my slave?

God’s reason and plan was later revealed to me after several days of meditation. God wants us to forgive. Jesus talks about forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:14).  In order for our trespasses (our own wrong) to be forgiven we must forgive those who have trespassed against us.  This is amazing how God is trying to equip us with the heart to have forgiveness.

Our current laws and judicial system of the United States does not enforce God’s Law. Our judicial system does not embrace the concept of forgiveness.   If someone was found guilty of theft, they are put in jail. And if at best, the victim gets back what was stolen or a check for the value of the stolen item by the victims insurance company if they carried insurance.   According to God’s word, we should at least receive double the value of what was stolen. In the case the stolen items were sold before the thief was caught, the victim should receive 5 or 4 times the value (read Exodus 22:1). God’s way sure does seem fair. If we were to follow God’s laws, this country and our society would be better and our crime rates would be a lot lower.

So, keep in mind the 8th Commandment; thou shall not steal. To be a kingdom of forgiveness, love and kindness God gave us the Ten Commandments. Being obedient to all commandments even if we do not understand ensures love, grace and mercy, abound to all people even in sin that God’s glory will be shown and that God’s Kingdom, his people, will all grow and prosper.

8th Commandment – Thou Shalt Not Steal

Living Godly requires us to be obedient to the 8th commandment, thou shat not steal.  Which is recorded in the Book of Exodus Chapter 20 verse 15. God gives specific instruction on how to handle people that are guilty of stealing in chapter 22.

How To Handle Individuals Disobedient to the 8th Commandment

The first four verses in chapter 22 in the book of Exodus, King James Version reads as follows.

“If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it: he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution: if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.” (Holy Bible Exodus 22: 1-4 King James Version)

For better understanding I will read the same scriptures in the New English Translation.

“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox, and four sheep for the one sheep. If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no blood guilt for him. If the sun has risen on him, then there is blood guilt for him.  A thief must surely make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he will be sold for his theft. If the stolen item should in fact be found alive in his possession, whether it be an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he must pay back double.” (Holy Bible Exodus 22: 1-4 New English Translation)

Your Thoughts On The Eighth Commandment

Do you think today we follow these instructions on how to handle an individual that is disobedient to the 8th Commandment? I know you may think these instructions are not relevant today. God is talking about an ox, a donkey, and sheep.  This only applies to farmers or ranchers. My answer to you is no, it is still relevant today. God is talking about our personal property. An Ox, donkey and sheep were prize processions during that time. An Ox was used to do work, on the field, similar to the tools we have today that aid us in our work. Donkeys did work as well; they were a means of transportation, similar to our cars. Sheep provided clothing; similar to our clothes we have today.

I want to hear your thoughts. Are we doing a good job of following God’s instructions on handling individuals that are disobedient to the 8th commandment, thou shalt not steal?  Leave comments below. Only comments relative to the 8th commandment will be posted.

What Is The 7th Commandment – Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

What is the seventh commandment? It is Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14).  In other words do not cheat on your spouse.  The consequence of cheating is death says God in Leviticus 20:10.

Now I know you are thinking, people cheat, commit adultery, all the time and no one dies from the act, well at least most people don’t unless their spouse catches them and takes revenge. But taking that out, an adulterer usually will not fall dead right after.  See, here is the deal. We think of death as physically dying. God speaks of life and death as in are spiritual being. Not our physical bodies.

Disobeying The Seventh Commandment – Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

In Proverbs 6:32-33 King Solomon share wisdom with us all concerning adultery.

“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”

Ok that was in King James Language, so lets dissect the scripture to fully get the wisdom.  Understanding means wisdom. The soul is the spiritual part of all humans, that part that survives the physical death on earth.  Reproach means disgrace.

Using the definitions above we see that committing adultery will lead to our spiritual death. The disgrace it brings on our soul will remain.

You see God promised us eternal life. Meaning after our physical body dies on earth our spirit will live for ever in the Mansion that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has gone to prepare for us. However, to receive this promise we must avoid anything that will cause our spirit to die.  If we do not repent for our sins before the Christ Jesus returns we will suffer the punishment of death. We will not be granted eternal life.

In II Peter 2:9 Apostle Peter explains how the unjust, unrighteous are being reserved by God until the Day of Judgment to be punished.  This is the reason-why those that disobey the seventh commandment, thou shalt not commit adultery, or any of the ten commandments; seem to be still living a good life on earth. But now we have wisdom and know their spiritual life will see eternal death (hell), unless they repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Only by this means will a person receive the mercy of God.

What Is The Sixth Commandment

“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) Is the sixth commandment from God.  This is a simple to understand, right?  Then why is there so much murder in the world? Why do we kill our selves, our babies, our children, our brother, our sisters, or friends, our neighbors and strangers? Why do we kill over food, lust, natural resources, race, and religion?

Why did God give us the Sixth Commandment?

God’s purpose for us is to live an abundant life. When God created Adam and Eve he attended for them to live on earth forever. In the beginning Genesis 1:27-28

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

 In addition God gave Adam his commandment.

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”   (Genesis 2:16-17)

So God wants us to populate the earth, multiply ourselves for us to live forever.  God doesn’t want us to die. He gave specific instructions on what to do to avoid dying. He attends for us all to live forever. Which is why God has provided another way for us to live forever. He promises us eternal life through the His son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For us to take a life is against what God attends for our life. If you remember nothing else remember this, God wants us to “Be fruitful and multiply.”

God has all the power, the only power we have is “dominion over the fish of the sea, over the fowl of the air, and over everything that moveth upon earth.” However, God has the power over all things! In the food chain view God is at the top. He is the creator of life and death. He can give a life and take it away. God gave us the instruction and ability to create life, not take it away.

In summary, what is the sixth commandment? “Thou shalt not kill.” We have responsibility to create and multiply the human race. Living Godly means creating and multiplying the image of God.

Fifth Commandment

God’s Fifth Commandment

“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12 KJV)

Wow, I’ve been meditating over this commandment for the past week and God reveled the reason-why. It was there all along, but it never registered. God wants us to live a long life on earth. To receive long life we must first honor our father and mother.

Why Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother?

Remember when God created Adam and Eve he didn’t attend for them to die. He gave Adam one Commandment. God told Adam “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV)

Wow! You see God attended for Adam and Eve to live forever. All Adam had to do is obey the commandment of God to live forever. Show honor and gratitude to his father, which is GOD, by respecting his authority as Father and creator.

The punishment for disobedience is death.

Now fast forwarding back to when God spoke the Ten Commandments. The Fifth Commandment is a reminder that he loves us and wants us to live a long life on earth. He wants to reward us with life as long as we respect and honor him. When we honor our parents we are showing God that we honor him. Through that relation we will have a long life.

For clarification, what is the meaning of honor? It is simply respect.  Have a high regard and loving respect for your parents.

So if you were looking for the fountain of youth. You have found it. God has given you the knowledge to long life on earth in the fifth commandment. “Honor thy father and thy mother: that the day may be long upon the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee.”

May the reading of God’s word releasing a blessing in your life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Remember the Passover

Remember the passover starts today.

What Is The Fourth Commandment

What is the fourth Commandment? God’s fourth commandment states in the book of Exodus chapter 20 verse 8.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

How To Honor The Fourth Commandment

Our Heavenly Father is specific on how to honor the fourth Commandment. God continues to explain in Exodus 20:9-11, how to honor the Sabbath day.

“Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor they maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord Made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

What is the Sabbath?

The Sabbath is the day we all must rest, a period during which action temporarily ceases. The day we take a break from our daily occupation that provides resources for material goals. This intermission from creating is an act of faith for us. It tells God we completely trust him and all things that are created and receive are from him.

Is the Sabbath day Saturday or Sunday?

The Sabbath day is on the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday.  To understand why the Sabbath is Saturday, lets look at why we think it is on Sunday.

In early fourth century, the Roman Emperor was Constantine. He was known as the first Christian emperor of Rome. Before he became emperor he was a commanding soldier in the Roman army. During one of their battles he saw a flaming cross in the sky, and under the cross were the Latin words meaning “In this sign conquer.” Constantine declared this was a sign for him to be a Christian and his army as well. So as a commanding officer he forced every soldier to convert from paganism to Christianity. Even though they did it, they did not have the heart towards our Heavenly Father, God the creator of heaven and earth and all things in it. So by the time he became emperor all the apostles such as Paul had died. Those gentiles converted to Christianity and were in the church starting falling away from the truth. Returning back to their desired worship of other gods, particularly worshiping the sun.

During Constantine’s reign over Rome there was a division in the church. There were some Christians that were anti-Jewish, because they accused the Jews of putting Jesus to death. Then there were those who secretly still desired to practice Mithraism, sun worship.  To make it easier for people to convert to Christianity, Constantine passes a civil law moving all worships to the first day of the week. Which is the same day of sun worship.  This is how the first day of the week was named Sunday.  Soon after the Catholic Church adopted Sunday as the day of worship.

One thing to remember, God’s Sabbath is still the Seventh Day Saturday!

How do you think God feels that we are disobeying his fourth commandment? Please leave comments below.

For more information on the Sabbath day please visit Sabbathtruth.com.

3rd Commandment of The Ten Commandments

The 3rd commandment of Gods Ten Commandments recorded in Exodus 20:7 of the King James Version of the bible states.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

What is God saying in the third commandment? How is he commanding us to conduct ourselves?

What does it mean to take Gods name in vain?

Third Commandment Meaning

According to the Strong’s Hebrew and Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament, the word vain is referring to desolate. According to the Oxford American dictionary the word desolate means make someone feel unhappy.  So with this information lets arrange Gods 3rd commandment to reflect our new knowledge.

Do not use God’s name in a way that will make God unhappy. For he will hold us responsible for hurting his image, making him unhappy.

So what conduct makes God happy?

Well let us look at the events that lead to God giving his ten commandments.

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The Israelites acknowledged this by singing a song of praise after they crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptians that followed were killed (Read Exodus 15, The Song of Moses). These events God created brought honor to his name and now all of Egypt knows the power of God and his love for his people the Israelites. So know the Israelites are happy. They are claiming the goodness of God, which makes God happy.

Immediately after they traveled in the desert for three days with no water (Sounds like a three day fast to me). While in the land of Marah, they complained to Moses about having no water to drink. Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD provided instructions to Moses showing him a tree to put into the water to make the water good to drink.  And God delivered an order and law for the Israelites to live by. To live in peace, free of the diseases God placed on Egypt, they must diligently obey the LORD thy God’s orders and commandments, and do what is right in Gods eyes.  This includes every order and law God gave starting from Abraham, the Father of the Israelites, and now including the recent commandment of the Lord of Feast.

They continued to travel from Marah to Elim, where the land was plenty, full of trees and water.  From Elim they traveled to desert land called Sin.  Where they began to complain to Moses and Aaron about being hungry and why Did God lead them out of Egypt to die in the desert. They would rather be slaves in Egypt at least there they could eat and their bellies full and happy (Read Exodus 16:2-3).

Now these things said by the Israelites are hurtful to God. God saved them from captivity and now they are ungrateful. It has only been two months and fifteen days since they departed from Egypt. So not that long ago, and they are already complaining, Using God’s name in vain.

Now God is a great God. He answered by giving them bread, manna, from heaven every day except on the seventh day, the Sabbath.  They were commanded to gather twice as much on the sixth day, to store so they could eat on the seventh day. The other days they would only gather enough to eat for that day. No one could store bread from days one through five. This was God’s commandment. He placed this commandment to test the obedience of the Israelites.

Unfortunately, some people didn’t obey God’s commandments. Some people tried to store manna on the days they were not suppose too. And on the Sabbath, seventh day, some tried to gather manna. These actions made God unhappy as recorded in Exodus 16:28 – 31. He was upset because people did not obey the Sabbath. This is the day that God set aside for rest and for us to worship him for the good events in our life. To rest in the fruits of our labor.  So God commanded Moses to create a memorial of manna for current and future generations to remember the bread God delivered when the Israelites were brought out of Egypt. Which would hopefully help us obey his commandments.

However, once again the people complained of thirst at the next land they traveled too, the land of Rephidim. There they said, “Wherefore is this that thou has brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our Cattle with thirst?” (Exodus 17:3).  Therefore again using God’s name in vain. Showing a lack of respect for God and what God has done, by bringing them out of captivity from Egypt and feeding them daily. They were very ungrateful towards God.

So what conduct makes God happy?  Simple, obey all of God’s ten commandments and show your gratitude for what he has done to save you. Through the blood of Jesus God’s Son, we are saved from our sins. But we must accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and get baptized in his name to receive this gift. If you haven’t been baptized then do so know. Read the book of Acts to understand why.

Are you obedient to the 3rd commandment? What can you do today to make God happy, to bring Honor to his name?