The First Commandment (No other Gods)
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Ex 20:3)
The Organization of the Ten Commandments
The 1st and 10th commandments are covering sentinels.
1 implies 2-10.
Having no other god implies we will obey His will as embodied in His commandments. (Mt 6:10)
10 implies 1-9.
Covetousness is the root cause of breaking the other commandments. (Ro 6:12)
God's love is the foundation of His commandments. (1Jn 4:8, Ro 13:8-10)
1-4 focus on love for God. (1Jn 5:3)
5-10 focus on love for others. (1Jn 5:2)
For every commandment breaking practice, we may say "There is harm."
For every commandment breaking practice, we may ask "Where is love?"
"Thou"
To whom is this command addressed?
To the Jews only?
To a select group of predetermined individuals?
To human beings only?
Its scope is universal. (Isa 45:23, Ro 14:11)
"me"
Who is the true God?
There is only one true God. (Isa 43:10, 1Co 8:4-6)
Jesus is the true God. (Php 2:9-11)
Jesus is one with the Father. (Jn 10:30, Jn 14:9)
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. (Ro 8:9)
The true God is Triune. (Ge 1:26, Mt 28:19, 1Jn 5:7)
The true God is One. (Dt 6:4,5)
God is Love. (1Jn 4:8)
True love must be shared between multiple beings (the Trinity).
True love must be united as one (One God).
The 4th commandment further identifies the true God. (Ex 20:8-11, Ex 31:16,17)
God is the Creator. (Rev 14:6,7)
The weekly memorial of the Creator is His 7th day Sabbath (Saturday).
"gods"
There are other so-called "gods". (1Co 8:5,6)
God - "1. The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit, the creator, and the sovereign of the universe.
4. Any person or thing exalted too much in estimation, or deified and honored as the chief good." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Objects or beings of worship and devotion. (Ge 35:2-4, Jer 17:5)
Objects or beings of priority - "before me". (2Ti 3:1-4, Php 3:18,19, 1Jn 2:16)
Beings who attempt to usurp God's throne. (Rev 12:7,8, Isa 14:12-14, Eze 28:13-17, Mt 4:8-10, 1Co 10:20,21)
"have"
Having another god may be through direct or indirect worship. (Rev 13:1-4) (compare Rev 12:7-9, 1Ti 4:1, 2Th 2:7-11)
The Punishment for Disobedience is Death
The punishment for disobedience is death. (Ex 22:18, Ex 22:20, Lev 20:27, Dt 13:1-5, Dt 13:6-10, Dt 17:2-5, Ro 6:23, Jas 2:10)
Note on Ex 22:18 and Lev 20:27:
Witch - "A woman who by compact with the devil, practices sorcery or enchantment." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Sorcery - "Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination by the assistance or supposed assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Wizard - "A conjurer; an enchanter; a sorcerer." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Conjure - "to engage supernatural influence; as, to conjure up evil spirits. ... to use arts to engage the aid of spirits in performing some extraordinary act." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Enchanter - "one who has spirits or demons at his command." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Compare modern Babylon's sorceries. (Rev 18:1-5,23)
As our substitute, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. (Isa 53:6, Jn 1:29, Eph 5:2, Heb 7:27, Heb 10:5-10)
The 1st Commandment Proclaims the True Government of the Universe
The 1st commandment proclaims the true government of the universe.
Jesus the Creator, Saviour, and Lord is the rightful King of the universe. (Eph 3:9, Col 1:13-16, Heb 1:1,2, Lk 2:11, 2Pe 1:11, 1Jn 4:14, Jn 13:13, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:11-16, Rev 11:15)
The Foundations of Perfect Government
Perfect government requires laws based on love.
Harm and violence destroy physical and emotional peace.
Perfect government requires laws that are freely obeyed.
Tyranny and martial law destroy peace of mind.
Perfect government requires an order based on truth.
Falsehood and propaganda destroy peace of conscience.
Perfect Government = Love + Freedom + Truth
God's Kingdom is the Perfect Government
God's law (the Ten Commandments) is based on love. (Dt 6:4,5, Lev 19:18, Mt 7:12, Mt 22:35-40, Mk 12:28-31, Jn 13:34, Ro 13:8-10, 1Jn 4:8, 1Jn 5:2, 2Jn 1:5,6
God's law invites free obedience. (Ps 119:47,48,97,113,127,163,165,167, Jer 31:33, Mt 6:10, Jn 14:15,21,23, Gal 5:6, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:15,16, 1Jn 2:1-5, 1Jn 5:1-3, Rev 12:17, Rev 14:12, Rev 22:12-14)
God's kingdom uplifts genuine truth. (Isa 5:20, Jn 17:17, Jn 4:23, Jn 16:13, Jn 15:26, Jn 14:6, Heb 6:17,18, 1Jn 4:6)
God's Kingdom = Love + Freedom + Truth
God's Kingdom = The Perfect Government
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.