Exodus 20:1-17, 24:12, 32:15-16

After Moses had gone back down the mountain to tell everyone what God had told him, God again called Moses to come up the mountain to meet with Him.

God said, “I will give you two stone tablets on which I have written commandments and directions for the people to follow.”

So Moses went up Mount Sinai, which was still covered by a cloud, and stayed on the mountain for forty days.

What is a commandment?

A commandment is an instruction from God. He has given us ten very important rules for life—rules to guard our relationship with Him, and rules that guard our relationships with others.

This is what God’s ten rules mean:

1. You must only worship the true God.

2. Do not let anything take God’s place in your heart.

3. Do not use the Lord’s name thoughtlessly or as a swear word.

4. Keep the Lord’s Day just for Him and let it be a day of rest.

5. Respect and obey your parents.

6. Do not take someone else’s life.

7. Be loyal to the person you are married to.

8. Do not take something that does not belong to you.

9. Do not say anything untrue about someone else.

10. Do not long for the things others have.

These rules weren’t given to us to make life difficult. God gave us the Ten Commandments to keep our lives peaceful, safe and happy. By keeping the commandments we honor God and respect others.

Verse for today

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10

Truth for Kids