Exodus 20: 17 Commentary

The last of the Ten Commandments that aides us in knowing what true love is to our fellow neighbor’s so that we can care for them as equals. To not be content with what God has given us in either bad or good is to not fully trust the Lord (1st Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:11, Luke 3:10-14). Claiming to trust in an all powerful God with focus true should remind us that everything is under control and nothing happens without Him allowing the situation or circumstance (Matthew 10:29-31, Matthew 6:25-33, Ecclesiastes 3:14). Discontentment against ones lot in life is a direct accusation against the Creator with whom all creation has not only been set in place, but continues to be sustained (Proverbs 14:30, Job 5:2, James 4:5). Covetousness grows from self centered thoughts that can quickly spiral out of control into unquenchable lust and greed. One who covets is not satisfied or ever truly able to appreciate anything they currently have or acquire. Being content with all you have allows you to joy in the thankfulness that you have in seeing the value all around you (1st Corinthians 15:57, Ephesians 5:4, Revelations 11:17). This thankfulness allows you to have a merry heart that is attractive and provides a medicinal value to all you come in contact with (Proverbs 17:22, 2nd Corinthians 9:7). It is impossible to think correctly about others first if trapped in this mentality, because when faced with the hard choices we will always turn to what the heart has cherished – self (Philippians 2:3-4, 1st Corinthians 10:24, Luke 6:38).

Being envious is the root of all evil and continues to fool all those trapped in the bondage of insatiable lusts that war against the soul (1st Timothy 6:10). Many examples in the bible lead us away from glorying in our works to avoid the conclusion that it is okay to compromise God’s law because after all look at all I have done. Consider the rich young ruler who was able to separate from all commandments listed except the last to not covet possessions (Matthew 19:16-23). Was not this Eve’s downfall in when God had given her the knowledge of good she coveted that God had withheld something desirous in knowing both good and evil (Genesis 3:4-6).

Simon - Acts 8:18-24
Satan – Isaiah 14:12-13
Saul – 1st Samuel 18:6-9
Joseph’s Brothers - Genesis 37:1-36
David – 2nd Samuel 11:2-5
Etc…

By Taft (wrote 38 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/5/2012 04:23 am

Ex. 20:1-17
#1: To know that G-d exists (Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6)
#2: Not to entertain the idea that there is any god but the Eternal (Ex. 20:3)
#312: Not to make a graven image; neither to make it oneself nor to have it made by others (Ex. 20:4)
#318: Not to worship an idol in the way in which it is usually worshipped (Ex. 20:5)
#319: Not to bow down to an idol, even if that is not its mode of worship (Ex. 20:5)
#204: Not to swear needlessly (Ex. 20:7)
#109: To sanctify Shabbat (Ex. 20:8)
#110: Not to do work on Shabbat (Ex. 20:10)
#59: To honor father and mother (Ex. 20:12)
#278: Not to slay an innocent person (Ex. 20:13)
(#102: Not to have intercourse with another man’s wife (Lev. 18:20))
(#274: Not to steal personal property (Lev. 19:11))
#241: Not to testify falsely (jewfaq.org has Ex. 20:13, but should be Ex. 20:16)
#282: Not to covet what belongs to another (Ex. 20:14 should be Ex. 20:17)

This is where the rubber meets the road. The Ten Commandments! It may aid understanding to offer a version called the Country Commandments:
1st One God, 2nd No Idols, 3rd No Cussin’, 4th Sunday Go To Meetin’, 5th Honor Ma & Pa, 6th No Killin’, 7th No Hanky Panky, 8th No Stealin’, 9th No Gossipin’, 10th No Wantin’ Neighbors Things
The first part of the 1st Command, “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage”, is more a reminder than an actual command. It is one reason to follow the Ten, similar to that given for Passover: “…for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:9).
We may think we don’t have a problem with the 2nd Command. I have never had an idol made of wood, or clay, or metal, or whatever in my home. But I still might have idols in my life: Money, cars, television, and/or books. Anything, including myself, that might distract me from God.
The 3rd Command is actually specific to God. We should not treat Him or His name with disrespect. Sometimes I wonder why people who don’t believe use God’s name in vain. If they truly don’t believe, why bother? Others who take this command to the extreme avoid all uses of God’s name to the point where we’re not certain anymore of how to pronounce the Name - I prefer Yahveh.
The 4th Command is full of debate. There’s the whole Saturday versus Sunday issue. Christian leadership did change it to observe the day of the resurrection. There’s also the question whether a day off should cause undue hardship. It should not, but some would say that it may cause inconvenience. Jesus Himself said that the “sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Being a modern guy who grew up in a suburb, I wonder how rural folk actually take a day off. Don’t livestock need to be tended to? After all, beasts don’t know it’s the Sabbath!
The 5th Command, honoring father and mother, is considered a bridge between the first set of commands which deal with God, and the second set which deal with people. Your parents, along with God, created you. The word “appreciation” comes to mind; remember to say “thank you” every now and again.
The 6th Command is better translated as “do not murder”. Murder is when a person is guilty of killing an innocent. It is sometimes necessary for society to kill the guilty or to defend itself from an attacking nation. But even then, the death of an enemy is not cause for celebration.
The 7th and 8th Commands are not referenced here by the 613. Adultery is found in Lev. 18:20 in a chapter dealing with other forbidden relations. Stealing is found in Lev. 19:11 in a chapter regarding property rights.
It is interesting to note at the 9th Command is considered not applicable according to http://www.bethhamashiach.com/Vows_oathsmitzvoh.htm. I assume the reason is “because a theocratic state of Israel is not in existence”. It seems the authority to punish such an act was only good for ancient Israel. However, I consider it a timeless command because perjury is a harmful act.
The 10th Command is different in that no one can prove if you violated it. Of course, if you did end up stealing or having an affair, then one could make the case that you first coveted. But actually, only God knows. In that way, it is similar to circumcision. It is between you and God.

By Terik Q (wrote 65 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/14/2010 13:21 pm