The Ten Commandments monument at the Alabama Judicial Building has been finally removed. Thank God.
A chorus of demonstrators joined an irate man in screaming “Put it back!” Wednesday morning after a monument of the Ten Commandments was wheeled away from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.
“Get your hands off our God, God haters!” yelled the wildly gesturing, red-faced man who initiated the chanting.
Workers used a dolly to move the 5,280-pound granite marker from the rotunda to another, undisclosed place in the courthouse building.
Get your hands off our God?
Obviously someone needs to do a little reading of, um, well, the Ten Commandments. Checking out Exodus 20,
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.
It seems to me that sort of applies to Graven Images of the Ten Commandments.
I mean, I’m hardly an iconoclast. I find religious imagery aesthetically pleasing and spiritually moving. But when Christian folks start identifying objects as “our God,” as in something the authorities need to keep their hands off of, then there’s something screwy going on with someone’s theology.
Alabama Chief Justice Moore, who long ago crossed the line into demogoguery, has done neither his state nor his religion, let alone his God, any good here. If he so strongly feels that posting the Ten Commandments is so important, I strongly suggest he make use of his lawn. As a private citizen, he is more than welcome to do so (and I’d love to see a suit with the local HOA over it). But as a public official, not only is his primary stand dead wrong, but his defiance of a higher court demonstrates his own unfitness to serve.
UPDATE: Another thought for the protesters, courtesy of Joy Davidman. Though she refers to the Commie Threat, it’s applicable as well to the (if you believe that sort of thing) Secular Humanist Threat, and prayers for victory over it:
That is man’s Christianity, a means to earthly triumph. And in our present crisis we are appealing to it to defeat the Russians for us. We hear of the life-and-death struggle between Christianity and Communism, the necessity of “keeping God alive as a social force” — as if our Lord could not survive a Soviet victory! It is a poor sort of faith that imagines Christ defeated by anything men can do.
— Joy Davidman (1915-1960)
Smoke on the Mountain (1955)
It was only when the Babylonians forced Daniel to worship a false god that he disobeyed. No Christian is required to erect a Ten Commandments monument. Thus, this is not something where you must disobey man to obey God. If you assume that it is good to have Justice Moore influencing society, then what he did was foolish because he got kicked off the bench. Acknowlege God in your behavior, not in empty symbolism. Historically the Fifth Commandment has been interpretted as submitting to duly constituted authority. Moore must have knocked that one off his list as well as the Second Commandment.
Thou shall not kill is considered submitting to duly constituted authority…Odd.
I guess I should be clearer here. I am referring to the Fifth Commandment according to the Protestant and Hebrew numbering. It would be the Fourth Commandment according to the Roman Catholic numbering. Honor your father and mother.
One note concerning the title of this post:: The Rock of Ages is the rock split open to hide Moses from God’s glory in Exodus 33:20-23. Augustus Toplady saw Christ’s protection in this event. Contrast Toplady’s attitude towards the Law and Moore’s (note particularly the second and third verses):
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
Whilst I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyestrings break in death;
When I soar through tracts unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Hmmmm. Don’t know as I’ve ever heard that commandment being interpreted as “submitting to duly constituted authority.” It makes sense, in its own way, but I think it’s very much an interpretation, not a literal reading.
Interesting commentary on the hymn, Rich, and, yes, there is a contrast there (an an echo of the Davidman quote I gave).
Therein lies one of the problems.
Which of the Ten Commandments are the correct ones? Which version is the correct one? If one version is chosen over the other you imply that the version chosen is the correct version. Now the followers of the other version are some how wrong.
it’s like the framers of the Constitution could see this coming.
EXIDUS 34 -Selected bits. Of course there is this version as well…
11
But you, on your part, must keep the commandments I am giving you today. “I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
12
Take care, therefore, not to make a covenant with these inhabitants of the land that you are to enter; else they will become a snare among you.
13
Tear down their altars; smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their sacred poles.
14
You shall not worship any other god, for the LORD is ‘the Jealous One’; a jealous God is he.
15
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of that land; else, when they render their wanton worship to their gods and sacrifice to them, one of them may invite you and you may partake of his sacrifice.
16
Neither shall you take their daughters as wives for your sons; otherwise, when their daughters render their wanton worship to their gods, they will make your sons do the same.
17
“You shall not make for yourselves molten gods.
18
“You shall keep the feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days at the prescribed time in the month of Abib you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you; for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.
19
“To me belongs every first-born male that opens the womb among all your livestock, whether in the herd or in the flock.
20
The firstling of an ass you shall redeem with one of the flock; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. The first-born among your sons you shall redeem. “No one shall appear before me empty-handed.
21
“For six days you may work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; on that day you must rest even during the seasons of plowing and harvesting.
22
“You shall keep the feast of Weeks with the first of the wheat harvest; likewise, the feast at the fruit harvest at the close of the year.
23
Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel.
24
Since I will drive out the nations before you to give you a large territory, there will be no one to covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the LORD, your God.
25
“You shall not offer me the blood of sacrifice with leavened bread, nor shall the sacrifice of the Passover feast be kept overnight for the next day.
26
“The choicest first fruits of your soil you shall bring to the house of the LORD, your God. “You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.”
27
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with them I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”
Why the one in the King James Bible, of course! The only true crafting of the Lord’s actual words (clever of Him to have arranged for it to be in English when the “original” was in other languages).
(There are some thoughts on the multiple versions here and, from a translation standpoint, here, from the Catholic perspective here. There is some more commentary here, too, though I think the Ex. 34 criticism is off-base; what’s described there is not the decalog, but other laws. Finally, a more detailed description of different denominations’ breakout and understanding of the 10C can be found here. )
The Exodus 34 passage, as I mentioned, does not necessarily read as a restatement of the 10C, though it could be interpreted that way. But, if so, it’s hard to identify how the statements in Ex. 34:6-26 can be broken in to ten, as Ex. 34:28 states. (Not to mention the contradition you note between those statements and the original ones from Ex. 20). I think though, it’s possible to see the 6-26 items as something distinct from the 10C … if one wanted to debate Biblical inerrancy which I most certainly would not care to.
Or, more properly said, “if one wanted to argue in favor of Biblical inerrancy, which I most certainly would not care to.”
None of the three divisions of the Ten Commandments change them. It just how they are numbered. They are the same words from Exodus 20. Since versification came well after the Bible was written, the different numbering does not detract from the original. Now if you want to have an “official” stone monument, then you might have a problem. 🙂
Exodus 34:4 says the second set of tablets were like the first one, that is, Exodus 20. You can split those into ten, but it is just speculation how this is done. Moreover, Deut. 5:22 says after recapitulating Exodus 20,
“These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.”
Exodus 34 does not contain the substance of the Ten Commandments. You will note that neither Christian tradition nor the Jewish tradition include these commands as part of the Ten Commandments.
Here’s where I get the interpretation on the Fifth(Fourth) Commandment:
Westminster Larger Catechism:
Q. 123. Which is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.[648]
Q. 124. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?
A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents,[649] but all superiors in age[650] and gifts;[651] and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family,[652] church,[653] or commonwealth.[654]
Q. 125. Why are superiors styled father and mother?
A. Superiors are styled father and mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations;[655] and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.[656]
Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?
A. The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or equals.[657]
Q. 127. What is the honour that inferiors owe to their superiors?
A. The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart,[658] word, [659] and behaviour;[660] prayer and thanksgiving for them;[661] imitation of their virtues and graces;[662] willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels;[663] due submission to their corrections;[664] fidelity to,[665] defence,[666] and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places;[667] bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love,[668] that so they may be an honour to them and to their government.[669]
Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?
A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them;[670] envying at,[671] contempt of,[672] and rebellion[673] against, their persons[674] and places,[675] in their lawful counsels,[676] commands, and corrections;[677] cursing, mocking[678] and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government.[679]
Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?
A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love,[680] pray for,[681] and bless their inferiors;[682] to instruct,[683] counsel, and admonish them;[684] countenancing,[685] commending,[686] and rewarding such as do well;[687] and discountenancing,[688] reproving, and chastising such as do ill;[689] protecting,[690] and providing for them all things necessary for soul[691] and body:[692] and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God,[693] honour to themselves,[694] and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them.[695]
Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors?
A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them,[696] and inordinate seeking of themselves,[697] their own glory,[698] ease, profit, or pleasure;[699] commanding things unlawful,[700] or not in the power of inferiors to perform;[701] counseling,[702] encouraging,[703] or favouring them in that which is evil;[704] dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good;[705] correcting them unduly;[706] careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger;[707] provoking them to wrath;[708] or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour.[709]
Q. 131. What are the duties of equals?
A. The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other,[710] in giving honour to go one before another;[711] and to rejoice in each others’ gifts and advancement, as their own.[712]
Q. 132. What are the sins of equals?
A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required,[713] the undervaluing of the worth,[714] envying the gifts,[715] grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another;[716] and usurping pre-eminence one over another.[717]
Q. 133. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment, the more to enforce it?
A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,[718] is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment.[719]
[648] Exodus 20:12. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
[649] Proverbs 23:22, 25. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old…. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. Ephesians 6:1-2. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.
[650] 1 Timothy 5:1-2. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
[651] Genesis 4:20-22. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. Genesis 45:8. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
[652] 2 Kings 5:13. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
[653] 2 Kings 2:12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 2 Kings 13:14. Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. Galatians 4:19. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.
[654] Isaiah 49:23. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
[655] Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:14. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us…. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. Numbers 11:11-12. And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?
[656] 1 Corinthians 4:14-16. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 2 Kings 5:13. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
[657] Ephesians 5:21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 1 Peter 2:17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Romans 12:10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
[658] Malachi 1:6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Leviticus 19:3. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
[659] Proverbs 31:28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 1 Peter 3:6. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
[660] Leviticus 19:32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. 1 Kings 2:19. Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.
[661] 1 Timothy 2:1-2. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
[662] Hebrews 13:7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Philippians 3:17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
[663] Ephesians 6:1-2, 6-7. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise…. Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. 1 Peter 2:13-14. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. Romans 13:1-5. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Hebrews 13:17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Proverbs 4:3-4. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Proverbs 23:22. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Exodus 18:19, 24. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God…. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
[664] Hebrews 12:9. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 1 Peter 2:18-20. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
[665] Titus 2:9-10. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
[666] 1 Samuel 26:15-16. And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’S anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster. 2 Samuel 18:3. But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. Esther 6:2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
[667] Matthew 22:21. They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. Romans 13:6-7. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Galatians 6:6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Genesis 45:11. And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. Genesis 47:12. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
[668] 1 Peter 2:18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Proverbs 23:22. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Genesis 9:23. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
[669] Psalm 127:3-5. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Proverbs 31:23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
[670] Matthew 15:4-6. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
[671] Numbers 11:28-29. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
[672] 1 Samuel 8:7. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. Isaiah 3:5. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
[673] 2 Samuel 15:1-12. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, etc.
[674] Exodus 24:15. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
[675] 1 Samuel 10:27. But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
[676] 1 Samuel 2:25. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
[677] Deuteronomy 21:18-21. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
[678] Proverbs 30:11, 17. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother…. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
[679] Proverbs 19:26. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
[680] Colossians 3:19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Titus 2:4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
[681] 1 Samuel 12:23. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way. Job 1:5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
[682] 1 Kings 8:55-56. And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. Hebrews 7:7. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Genesis 49:28. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
[683] Deuteronomy 6:6-7. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
[684] Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
[685] 1 Peter 3:7. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
[686] 1 Peter 2:14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. Romans 13:3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.
[687] Esther 6:3. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
[688] Romans 13:3-4. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
[689] Proverbs 29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 1 Peter 2:14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
[690] Job 29:13-16. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Isaiah 1:10, 17. Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah…. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
[691] Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
[692] 1 Timothy 5:8. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
[693] 1 Timothy 4:12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Titus 2:3-5. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
[694] 1 Kings 3:28. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
[695] Titus 2:15. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
[696] Ezekiel 34:2-4. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
[697] Philippians 2:21. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
[698] John 5:44. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John 7:18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
[699] Isaiah 56:10-11. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Deuteronomy 17:17. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
[700] Daniel 3:4-6. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Acts 4:17-18. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
[701] Exodus 5:10-18. And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. Matthew 23:2, 4. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat…. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
[702] Matthew 14:8. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. Mark 6:24. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
[703] 2 Samuel 13:28. Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
[704] 1 Samuel 3:13. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
[705] John 7:46-49. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. Colossians 3:21. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Exodus 5:17. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
[706] 1 Peter 2:18-20. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. Hebrews 12:10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Deuteronomy 25:3. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.
[707] Genesis 38:11, 26. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house…. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. Acts 18:17. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
[708] Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
[709] Genesis 9:21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. 1 Kings 12:13-16. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 1 Kings 1:6. And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. 1 Samuel 2:29-31. Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
[710] 1 Peter 2:17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
[711] Romans 12:10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
[712] Romans 12:15-16. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Philippians 2:3-4. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
[713] Romans 13:8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
[714] 2 Timothy 3:3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
[715] Acts 7:9. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him. Galatians 5:26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
[716] Numbers 12:2. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. Esther 6:12-13. And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
[717] 3 John 9. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Luke 22:24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
[718] Exodus 20:12. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
[719] Deuteronomy 5:16. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 1 Kings 8:25. Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. Ephesians 6:2-3. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Or, a bit more succintly, from the Catechism of the Episcopal Church:
Q. What do we learn from these commandments?
A. We learn two things: our duty to God, and our duty to our neighbors.
Q. What is our duty to God?
A. Our duty is to believe and trust in God;
I To love and obey God and to bring others to know him;
II To put nothing in the place of God;
III To show God respect in thought, word, and deed;
IV And to set aside regular times for worship, prayer, and the study of God’s ways.
Q. What is our duty to our neighbors?
A. Our duty to our neighbors is to love them as ourselves, and to do to other people as we wish them to do to us;
V To love, honor, and help our parents and family; to honor those in authority, and to meet their just demands;
VI To show respect for the life God has given us; to work and pray for peace; to bear no malice, prejudice, or hatred in our hearts; and to be kind to all the creatures of God;
VII To use our bodily desires as God intended;
VIII To be honest and fair in our dealings; to seek justice, freedom, and the necessities of life for all people; and to use our talents and possessions as ones who must answer for them to God;
IX To speak the truth, and not to mislead others by our silence;
X To resist temptations to envy, greed, and jealousy; to rejoice in other people’s gifts and graces; and to do our duty for the love of God, who has called us into fellowship with him.
Presbyterians are just more anal^H^H^H^H thorough than their Episcopal bretheren. 🙂
Please check out my musings on whether America was a Christian nation or not and tell me what you think.
I agree pretty much with what Smith has to say there, particularly the wrap-up:
I expect a multitude of law-loving, law-obeying Christians (on whose hearts the Law is written by the Spirit) will make a lot bigger impact than Tablets of Stone sitting in the Supreme Court building in Montgomery.
Glad to see your blog back on its feet, Rich.
Thanks for your encouragement. I am trying to hit topics that aren’t hit as often by other blogs such as comets, patents, and stock options.
Far be it from me to critique anyone’s esotericism. 🙂
I had a seventh-grade math teacher who said, “There’s the right answer, and there’s the wrong answer, and then there’s Blinne’s answer.” I rather be esoteric than exoteric. 🙂 Wait for my upcoming post on special relativity and quantum gravity. Now that will make the evening news. 🙂