GOD’S COMMANDMENT
Laws are rules and regulations that guide society. God’s law, known as the Ten Commandments or Decalogue, ruled the Israelites.
The Ten Commandments are known as the Mosaic Law. It was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Torah is the Hebrew word for it. The Ten Commandments are as follows:
- Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
- You shall not make for yourself graven images or bow down for them.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
- Honour your father and your mother that your days may be long.
- You shall not kill
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
- You shall not covet your neighbour’s property,
The Ten Commandments fall naturally into two divisions:
- Duties to God and
- Duties to our fellow men (human values).
On duties to God, we are to worship only one God; worship God without the use of images, reverence God’s name as standing for His nature; and keep God’s day holy.
In our duties to our fellowmen, we are to honour our parents, not to commit murder, not to commit adultery, not to steal, not to lie and not to covet.
Apart from the laws of God given to Moses, in all communities of a state, organisations, groups and clubs, some rules and regulations regulate and decide on behaviour and structures that help them to achieve a mature, responsible, free position.
Order, they say, is the first thing in heaven. Various Associations, Conventions, Clubs and even Churches have constitutions and bylaws which members strictly adhere to; any deviation from these surely brings about confusion and throws the congregation into disarray.
The importance of law in a nation or community cannot be overemphasised.
EVALUATION
- Why should we have laws in a community, group or organization?
- Explain our duties to God as contained in the Ten Commandments.
GENERAL EVALUATION
- Why should we have laws in a community, group or organisation?
- Explain our duties to God as contained in the Ten Commandments.
- Explain the reason why God gave the commandment.
- Write the seventh commandment.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- What is another name for the Ten Commandments? (a) Monologue (b) Dialogue
(c) Decalogue (d) Monograph
- The Ten Commandment was given to Moses at _____ (a) Mount olives
(b) Mount Nebo (c) Mount Sinai (d) Mount Everest
- Honour your father and your mother is the _____ commandment (a) 4th (b) 5th
(c) 6th (d) 10th
- Which of the Commandments talk about fornication and adultery? (a) 5th (b) 6th
(c) 7th (d) 10th
- Which of the Commandments speaks against stealing? (a)8th (b) 9th (c) 10th
THEORY
- What is Law?
- List the Commandment that talks about mans relationship to man.
See also