Reveals the Character of God
Through the ten commandments and other laws given to Israel by God, He reveals His nature and character. The characteristics and attributes of God are so numerous that to list and expound upon them thoroughly would require much more time and space than I have here. For the purposes of this site let’s focus our attention on one of the basic and predominant characteristics revealed in the law of God.
Simply stated: God is HOLY.
Holiness is part of God’s very being. He did not attain it, achieve it, or recieve it. He is the very source and wellspring; the epitomy of purity and righteousness. The person of God sets the standard for purity. Without this standard mankind would have no bearing to determine what is good or evil, right or wrong, moral or immoral.
The Ten Commandments are part of God’s expression of His holiness and the standard He requires in order to have a relationship with Him.
Mankind was originally created in this holiness and enjoyed unhindered fellowship with God. Man was also created with a will. God did not force man to love Him. God gave him a choice. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, they fell out of holiness and became alienated from God.
God can not abide anything or person that is unholy. The only way a person can relate to God is in perfect holiness. God gave His law as an expression of His holiness. As the nation of Israel obeyed His holy law, it seperated them from every other nation of the earth. It seperated them as “holy” unto the Lord. Israel became known by the world as God’s holy nation. They were marked as His people because they “wore” the laws of His holiness.
God severly judged and punished disobedience to His law because it was a defilement of His very character. When a law was broken God required a sacrifice of blood. God commanded that the blood of an animal be shed to cover for sin. These sacrifices were not adequate to forgive man’s sin, but in practicing them, Israel demonstrated faith. It was this faith that was counted as righteousness and put Israel in right standing (relaitonship) with God.
The ten commandments reveal God’s perfect holiness. These laws tell us of His very nature. If mankind is to have a relationship with God we must know who He is.
“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee…”(I Samuel 2:2 kjv).
“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee…” (Revelations 15:4 KJV).
“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation”(Exodus 19:6 kjv)
