The Ten Commandments are the basis of all the other laws of God. God is the divine, holy being behind all His commandments. The people received God’s commandments as God’s divine decrees. By obeying them, the people will please Him, showing that they are God’s people.

In Exodus 19:12, the setting up of the boundary shows that what the people were about to hear is holy, and is from a holy God. Thus, we too must regard the Word of God as holy, obey His Word and live holy lives, and be a good witness for Him.

In Deuteronomy 5, Moses described God’s Word as “statutes” and “judgments” that Israel must obey. The Moral Laws are objective, not subjective, and do not change with time or culture, because they are a reflection of God’s moral standards. God reminded His children: “I am the LORD thy God…” (Exod 20:2). And that He had delivered them out of Egypt’s bondage. As the Laws were given out of God’s love for His people, they would not find His laws burdensome.

Jesus summarised the Laws as the laws of love. The first five commandments describe our relationship with God, while the last five relate to our relationship with men.

1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” We must worship God only.
2. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing…” Nothing is to be used to represent God. God will punish. But He will show mercy to those who love Him.
3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…” To take God’s name in vain is to make His name empty, i.e. without honour. We must protect God’s glory, or we will be guilty when we take God's name in vain.
4. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” It is a day of rest.
5. “Honour thy father and thy mother…” We are to honour the authority that God has put above us. Honouring our parents is unconditional.
6. “Thou shalt not kill.” God alone has the authority to take life.
7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” The basis of marriage is one man one woman.
8. “Thou shalt not steal.”
9. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Truth belongs to God and God cannot lie. And we are commanded not to lie.
10. “Thou shalt not covet.” We must be contented with all that God has given us.

When we obey His commandments, we will be different from the world. The Laws must delightful to us. Obeying them is for our good.