Brian’s Reflection: The Weekend, Sat, March 14, 2009

The Hebrew Scriptures reading for Lent III is the Ten Commandments: Here they are (with Comment), from The Message: Exodus 20: 1-17:


God spoke all these words:
Oh? I’m interested to know who decided that “God” said these things. And Why? What Agenda, cultural, political, was being pushed??

I am God, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a life of slavery. No other gods, only me.
Someone very clever took advantage of that Exile. And if you want to have power, be the only one!

No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
So: One CAN have statues, etc, carved or otherwise, as long as they are not “Gods”.
“God” jealous??? Don’t be silly. God is “without body, parts, or passions” (39 Articles)

No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.
Very silly. This could have been more direct. It should have said: “Don’t use my name to justify your disgusting personal agendas that have nothing to do with Love and Justice; Get It??!!”

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don't do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
Sure: “Rest”. This is good. Have fun, go to the beach, play cards (or whatever); enjoy yourselves. All that other crap about not enjoying yourself that various sects have come up with is just Control Issues – and God doesn’t like Control!

Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
Just honour your father and mother; it’s a good thing. But: It doesn’t mean approving of everything they do!! Some parents do terrible things to their kids!

No murder.
Is “murder” the same as “killing” ?? Are there OK reasons to “kill”? (I personally don’t think so.) Excusable? Maybe?

No adultery.
As long as it applies to men too!!

No stealing.
What about when you are really poor and starving, and no one gives a damn??

No lies about your neighbor. 

No lies about ANYONE!

No lusting after your neighbor's house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.
Good advice, on the whole.

Best Thing? The Ten Commandments need a base: Try “Love One Another”. And don’t be a wimp about the true nature of Love.

Brian+