The Ten Commandments - God's Law

The people agreed! "We will do everything the LORD has said!"

God told Moses, "I will come down on Mount Sinai in three days. Tell the people to get ready and wash their clothes. They must be ready on the third day. But warn them - don't let anyone touch the mountain or they will die!"

On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning! A thick cloud covered the mountain! A trumpet blast grew louder and LOUDER! Everyone in the camp trembled!

Moses led the people to the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered in smoke because the LORD descended on it in fire! The smoke billowed up like smoke from a furnace! The whole mountain shook violently! The trumpet blast grew even LOUDER!

Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder! God called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses climbed up into the cloud.

Then God spoke! His voice thundered from the mountain! He gave the people TEN COMMANDMENTS:

**1. You shall have no other gods before me.** God must be first!

**2. You shall not make idols.** Don't worship statues or pictures.

**3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.** Use God's name respectfully!

**4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.** Rest one day each week!

**5. Honor your father and your mother.** Respect your parents!

**6. You shall not murder.** Life is precious!

**7. You shall not commit adultery.** Be faithful in marriage!

**8. You shall not steal.** Don't take what isn't yours!

**9. You shall not lie.** Always tell the truth!

**10. You shall not covet.** Don't be jealous of what others have!

When the people heard the thunder and saw the lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain smoking, they trembled with fear! They stayed far away and said to Moses, "You speak to us and we will listen. But don't let God speak to us or we will die!"

Moses said, "Don't be afraid! God has come to test you so that you will fear Him and not sin."

The people stood far away while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. God gave Moses many more laws about how to live and treat each other fairly.

Then God said, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay here. I will give you stone tablets with the law and commandments I have written."

Moses went up Mount Sinai and stayed there FORTY DAYS and FORTY NIGHTS! God gave him two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments written by God's own finger! God also gave detailed instructions for building a special tent called the Tabernacle, where God would dwell among His people!

These commandments weren't just rules to make life hard - they were God's gift to show people how to live well! The first four commandments show us how to love God. The last six show us how to love other people.

Jesus later said the two most important commandments are: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself! All God's laws are really about LOVE!

These commandments still matter today! When we obey God's commands, we show we love Him, and we live the best life possible!

Big idea: God is always with us and loves us very much!