Words from the Weary Wilderness - Lenten Journey Day 6
posted on March 03
Day Six - Tuesday, March 8
The Commandments Relate Us to Each Other
Read: Exodus 20:12-21
12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
13 You shall not murder.[a]
14 You shall not commit adultery.
15 You shall not steal.
16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
18 When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid[b] and trembled and stood at a distance, 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” 21 Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
Today’s Word from the Weary Wilderness: You speak to us, and we will listen… (Exodus 20:19)
Reflection: The final six Commandments are about what Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls life together. Loving family and being faithful in community matter not only to us as Christians, but to human civilization as a whole. Take a close look at what God chooses to share with Moses as most important for the people and their lives together. Take a look at what is not included, some of which we will cover as we continue on our journey. Which commandment challenges you most right now in this season of your life? How might God be speaking to you through these words?
Prayer: God of the Wilderness, each of us needs roots, boundaries, and guardrails. We need them to prosper, and we need them to avoid inflicting pain on ourselves and others. Help us to consider where these commandments speak most clearly to us today. Convict us as you see fit, and redeem us through new life and obedience. Amen.
Blessings of Peace and Health,
Bev
Rev. Beverly B. Coppley
District Superintendent
& Chief Missional Strategist
