The Ten Commandments: From Law to Love
Session 4
Colonial Heights Christian Church
Kingsport, TN
W. C. Gwaltney
July 16, 2014
I.
The Ten Commandments -- Introduction
Exodus 20:2 - 17 & Deuteronomy 5:1 - 21
Called the “Ten Words” in Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13 & 10:4
Called the “Ten Pronouncements” in rabbinic literature
They are foundational principles undergirding Israelite law.
The principles expressed by the First, Second & Third Pronouncements: The sanctity of the Divine
Being, of the Divine Formlessness & of the Divine Name. The Fourth suggests that finite time is the
ground where the Infinite God & finite humans come together; such time is sanctified & a blessing.
The Fifth is related to the Fourth in that they both highlight the significance of the family—time &
trust provide the stability for the home. The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth broaden beyond the home and
extend to the wider community. They express the principles regarding life, sexuality and property.
II.
The Ninth Pronouncement
You must not bear false witness in regard to your neighbor.
Paraphrase: You must not give evidence in court about your neighbor as a false witness.
The Ninth Pronouncement & Its Applications
This pronouncement in the New Testament -- Matthew 19:18 (= Mark 10:19; Luke
18:20); Romans 13:9 (in 2 ancient manuscripts)
See Matthew 26:59-66; Acts 6:13-15.
Rabbinic Treatment
For many years I searched my heart to understand this phraseology—“a witness of deception.” Why
does the Scripture not say “testimony of deception”? Now I understand the Scripture to mean, “Do not
give testimony for or against your neighbor if you are a false witness.” The terminology further means:
“Do not lie or deceive at all in any circumstance.” (Ibn Ezra)
It is said, “You shall not give testimony against your neighbor as a false witness.” Also it is said,
“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Why are these two put close together? To teach that the
person who profanes the Sabbath insults the One-Who-Spoke-&-the-World-Was by testifying that He
did not create the world in six days nor rest on the seventh. [Thus profaning the Sabbath becomes false
testimony & the profaner, a false witness.] [Question: How is the Ninth close to the Fourth?]
The rabbis tell this story: The original snake set his eyes on what was not allowed to him. What he
sought was not given to him & what was in his power was taken from him. The Holy One, Blessed Be
He said, “I had determined that he should be the king of the animals—domestic & wild. But now,
cursed are you from all domestic animals & from all wild animals of the field. I had determined that he
should go about erect like a human. But now, upon your belly you shall go. I had determined that that
his food should be human food. But now, dust you shall eat.” The snake had planned, “I will kill Adam
& take Eve for myself.” But now God says, “I will put enmity between you & the woman.”
The Setting/Meaning/Principle = Juridical Integrity & Honesty throughout
Society
Jezebel’s theft (1 Kings 21 7:1-26)
The prophecy fulfilled (1 Kings 22:37-38; 2 Kings 9:10, 36-37)
Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
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The New Testament Teaching
In the Gospels - Matthew 5:33-37 (See Leviticus 19:11, 12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy
23:21-23); Matthew 23:16-22
In the Epistles -- James 5:12
III.
The Tenth Pronouncement
The Tenth Pronouncement & Its Applications
You must not covet your neighbor’s house; you must not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his
manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Rabbinic Treatment (the evil inclination)
Matthew son of Heresh was a wealthy but God-fearing man devoted to good deeds. He even supported many
scholars & sustained widows & orphans at his table. He devoted all his time to study like his teacher, Rabbi Meir.
His face shone like the sun! All his days he never cast a glance at another man’s wife or at any woman. Satan
passed by one day while Matthew was at study & became jealous of him & wondered whether there could be a
righteous man without sin in the world.
Satan went up to heaven & questioned God, “Sovereign of the Universe, what is Matthew before you?” God
answered, “He is perfectly righteous.” Satan said, “Them give me permission to test him.” God gave him
permission. He then approached Matthew as a woman more beautiful than Naamah sister of Tubal-Cain. When
Matthew saw her, he turned his face away; so Satan came to him from the other direction. Wherever he turned,
Satan faced him. Matthew feared lest the evil inclination should prevail over him. What did he do? He called for
nails & a brazier, heated the nails & blinded himself. Satan departed in fear & approached God to relate what had
happened. God at once dispatched Raphael, the healing angel, to heal Mathew’s eyes. “Who are you?” inquired
Matthew. “I am Raphael sent to heal your eyes.” “I do not desire it. What has been, has been,” Matthew protested.
Raphael returned to God with Matthew’s answer. God sent Raphael again with his pledge that temptation
would never prevail over Matthew the rest of his life. When Matthew heard this promise he accepted the healing.
Hence the Sages say, “Whoever has never glanced at a woman is safe from the evil inclination; in the world to
come God will remove it altogether & replace it with his Holy Spirit.
The Setting/Meaning/Principle = Integrity of the Mind
What’s the difference between desiring & coveting & greed?
Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5 have slightly different wordings.
Old Testament examples: Achan (Joshua 6 & 7)
“Freud has fully explored the relation between desire & culture. He has seen that on the one hand
there would be no culture without desire. On the other hand, there will be no culture unless
desire is channeled & controlled.”— Walter Brueggemann
The New Testament Teaching
Quoted in the New Testament — Romans 7:7; 13:9; Philippians 4:8
From Law to Love
Johanan ben Zakkai said to his 5 students: What is the good way that one should put above all
others? Rabbi Eliezer said, "A good eye." R. Joshua, "A good companion." R. Jose, "A good
neighbor." R. Simeon, "One who sees what will be." R. Eleazar, "A good heart." Rabban Johanan
replied, "I approve the words of R. Eleazar, for they includes all your words."
The Greatest Law in the Gospels
Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28 (See also Matthew 5:43; 19:19)
Loving neighbor
Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8 (the "royal law")
Loving God
Luke 11:42; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 8:3; 16:22; Galatians 6:24; 1 Peter 1:8 (love
Christ); 1 John 2:15; 4:10, 20-21
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