The Ten Commandments
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The Ten Commandments
And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5a You shall not bow down to them or worship them;
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God.
12 “Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house……. or anything that belongs to your neighbour.”
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Ten Commandments
Setting the Scene
This drama was recorded during the Women’s World Cup 2023.
The object of the drama is to illustrate that the rules of any game actually make it manageable and more pleasurable. Similarily the rules of life, as in the Ten Commandments are not a moral code to keep or God given harsh rules to hurdle to appease Him - No, these given by God to highlight the trouble spots in life to avoid, do this and you will have freedom and a joyful life.
Drama
Dave surfaces exuberantly, shouting, Wey hey England etc…
KB: Calm down Dave, don’t you know this is church, why are you so excited?
Dave: I’m excited about the big match tomorrow.
KB: Oh, who is that then?
Dave: Where have you been over the last few weeks KB, England needs to beat Nigeria__ in the World Cup tomorrow morning.
KB: Is it an important match?
Dave: Ehh, Yes, the winner gets to the quarter-finals.
KB: Will England beat Nigeria?
Dave: Yes, we will just kick them off the pitch.
KB: That doesn’t sound very nice. It seems to me Dave that you don't bother much about the rules. If you don’t play by the rules, it ruins the whole game.
Dave: Really? We just need to rough them up a bit.
KB: OK, I’ve got an idea why not do away with rules altogether, then there are no rules to break any more.
Dave: You can’t do that, you daft thing, how can you have a game without rules? You know what people are like, take away the rules and the big ones would kick all the little ones like me. You’ve got to have rules.
KB: OK Dave, that’s my point, and we need to have rules for our lives just like we need rules for our football games.
Dave: That’s right, after all, if everyone goes around doing what they like, a lot of people are going to get hurt, aren’t they?
KB: They certainly are and that’s one reason why God gave us rules for our lives
Dave: You mean the Ten Commandments?
KB: Yes, do you know them?
Dave: Yes
KB: All of them
Dave: Yes, you just have to learn to count to ten and say what you see.
KB: What do you mean? 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.
Dave: Yes and ‘say what you see,’ Number 1 says there’s only One, God love him with all your heart.
KB: That’s Good, what about 2
Dave: 2 says you can’t have 2 – no other gods, no idols.
KB: OK, what about 3
Dave: 3 says there are 3 names you must not say as a swear, God, Jesus, Holy Moly
KB: That’s so true, some people do say, God and Jesus and Holy Moly when they swear OK, what about 4
Dave: 4 looks like a chair, so sit on it, have a Sabbath rest.
KB: That’s Good, what about 5
Dave: 5 minutes peace. (KB repeats ) We should give our parents 5 minutes peace. Honour your father and mother.
KB: Very good. Quickly what are the rest?
Dave: OK, like I said, just remember the number. Six looks like a hangman’s noose, its a warning, do not kill. 7 is an Adult one about a 7-year itch. Adults - Don’t scratch it!
8 looks like handcuffs, you get arrested for stealing, do not steal.
9 looks like a 6, but that’s a lie, 9 looks like 9 – you must not lie, always tell the truth.
KB: And lastly, what is the 10th Commandment?
Dave: Like I said, ‘say what you see,’ look at the number, a skinny one and a big fat zero. The skinny one wants to be larger & the larger one wants to be skinny, but you mustn’t be jealous, do not covet.
KB: Wow, that is brilliant Dave. And Jesus said in Matthew 22:37,39 that we would be keeping every rule God gave if we were to love God with all our heart and soul and mind and love other people as much as we love ourselves.
Dave: Easier said than done? Just like it isn’t always easy to keep the rules in football, especially if someone kicks you.
KB: But a good footballer keeps to the rules and it makes a better game.
Dave: You know something KB, I hope England don’t kick Nigeria off the pitch, I hope it is a fair game.
KB: I’m glad to hear it Dave. You’ll certainly play a better game in life if you keep that spirit up. Well….. you’re looking a bit tired!
KB: Say to Bye every body, see you next time.
Dave: Bye every body, Come on England.
KB: [Go on] Oh, he’s a rascal.
The 10 Commandments often have a negative image, harsh, rules, a difficult moral code to keep. I would like to ask a question, did God give these commandments to the Hebrews as a burden (hurdles to leap over) to please the Almighty)?
Read them again, remember the context and try to enter the drama.
The Hebrews are at the foot of Mt Sinai in a thunderstorm. Their great leader goes up the Mountain, a great historical moment. Moses meets with God and the 10 Commandments are given, with these opening words, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery.” So, these 10 Commandments are not moral values to burden them. This is God saying, “I Love you” and I am giving you something to help you live in freedom and to live a joyful life. Learn them, live by them, these are the trouble spots in life to avoid, do this and you will have freedom and a joyful life.
Now I wonder do you get the picture, can you see why these are not a burden to the Hebrews? Can you see why they loved and treasured the 10 Commandments and stitched them on paper into their sleeves while others tied them in packets on their heads?
My personal challenge is to prioritise that call of the great Commandment to Love the Lord with heart soul mind strength, and love others as yourself.
