The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 20:3-11

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The soul for God only.

I. GOD'S DEMAND. "Thou shalt have no other," etc. All else is emptiness and falsehood. There must be nothing even of our holy things put between the soul and God. His presence must be the soul's life, the very air it breathes.

II. How THE DEMAND MAY BE FULFILLED.

1. By keeping ourselves from idols. Our daily avocations, our interests, affections, pleasures, may lead to our esteeming something our chief good and making it to be instead of God to us. God must be seen behind his gifts, and be more to us than all besides.

2. By watchful fear and hope. We bring evil not upon ourselves only, and the blessings which rest upon obedience are an everlasting heritage. We sow seeds of evil or of blessing which yield many harvests (Exodus 20:5, Exodus 20:6).

3. By reverence (Exodus 20:7). God's name must not be emptied of its power to touch the heart by our lightness or hypocrisy.

4. By keeping sacred the sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11).

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