Ten Commandments also expressed as: Law of Liberty (James 1:25, 2:12), Royal Law (James 2:8), Law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21, Galatians 6:2), Law of Love (1 Cor. 5:14, Romans 13:8-14) – The Ten Commandments Are An Expression of God’s Very Character and the principles of God’s law has always been.
What do you think? Did the Ten Commandments exist before Sinai? Over the years this question has come up numerous times. Most individuals believe that the Ten Commandments did not exist until Moses brought them down on the tablets of stone from Mount Sinai.
Let’s take just a few moments to examine this subject. Keep in mind that there are many more points that can be made in this regard and this series will cover many of them. Is it true that the Ten Commandments came about some 2500 years after Adam was created as many believe? To answer this question, we must consider what the Apostle Paul states in Romans 4:15b, “…for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15).
Let me begin by using an illustration
Suppose you are driving on a highway where no state or federal speed limit exists. If you are traveling at a speed of 80mph, can you be given a ticket for speeding? What about 90mph? How about 100mph? The answer is no! You cannot be given a ticket for speeding where there is no law stating a maximum speed or the speed limit. In other words, where there is no law, there is no transgression. A law has to exist in order to be transgressing or “breaking” the law.
When we read the Scriptures and go back in time to the days of Cain and Abel. We need to ask ourselves, was it wrong or sin for Cain to kill Abel? Yes, it was! Please read Genesis 4. When Jehovah said to Cain in verse 7, “…sin lieth at the door” we have a plain statement from God addressing a sin issue. God addressed Cain because he was ‘very wroth’ and that kind of anger could lead him astray…that is why God said ‘sin lieth at the door’. Would Cain allow that to fester into something else? As we know, he did.
In verse 10 – God says to Cain, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground”, the word blood is literally “bloods” in the plural form. This means that Cain was held responsible not only for killing Abel, but for killing all of his potential progeny or offspring as well. Now the question that needs to be asked is, how could it be wrong for Cain to kill Abel if there was no Commandment stating, “Thou shalt not kill”? (Exodus 20:13). In other words, how could Jehovah hold Cain responsible for Abel’s death if this Commandment did not exist until Sinai? Keep in mind that we already established from Scripture that, “Where there is no law, there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15). So, it seems clear that there had to have been a law or Commandment for Cain to be held accountable for killing his brother.
What about Joseph? Would it have been wrong for Joseph to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife? (Genesis 39:7-9). Please notice what Joseph said in Genesis 39:9, “how could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” Notice that Joseph called this act of adultery a sin. How could this be a sin if the seventh Commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery” did not exist until Sinai? (Exodus 20:14) .
Now, let’s go back to the Garden of Eden to a time even before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. After dialoguing with Eve about the trees in the Garden, the serpent said to Eve regarding the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, “Ye shall not surely die:” (Genesis 3:4). Today, we know that this was a lie. Let me ask you, was it a sin for Satan to lie? How could it be if there was no Commandment saying, “thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16).
There are many stories in the Bible about sin being addressed, here are a few of them.
- Abraham lied on two occasions to a Pharoah in Egypt (Genesis 12) and to Abimelech in Negev (Genesis 20) regarding Sarah. Abraham told them Sarah was his sister which was a half-truth, because she was also his wife. Sarah was taken in both instances, which would have been adultery.
- Rachel stole her fathers idols (Genesis 31:19-34).
- Jacob was told to put away his foreign gods before meeting Esau, Jacob knew it was a sin (Genesis 35:1-4).
- Job was concerned that his children might have been taking God’s name in vain, and he knew that was wrong (Job 1:5). Israelites were reminded to remember the Sabbath even before they came to Mount Sinai (Exodus 16:22-28).
- Both Jacob and Esau had dishonored their parents, but Jacob finally did obey ,by going to Padan Aram” (Genesis 28:6-7).
- The incident with Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-9).
- When Joseph framed his brothers for stealing his silver cup, they understood the gravity of the charge and how serious an offense stealing was (Genesis 44:8-9).
- We see coveting going all the way back to the Garden of Eden when Eve saw and desired (coveted) the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6)
If the 10 Commandments did not exist before Sinai, then none of the sins mentioned above were sins. Why? Because based on Holy Scripture, “Where there is no law, there is no transgression.” So, this must mean that even though the 10 Commandments were not yet in writing, they must have existed. If the Ten Commandments did not exist, then Jehovah could not and would not hold these people accountable for breaking them because they would not have been sinning. It is clear, for we are told: “Sin is transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4).
Before the Garden of Eden
Lucifer’s eyes were lift up because of His beauty. He made an idol out of himself and convinced 1/3 of the host of heaven to follow him (Eze. 16:15, 28:17). Lucifer corrupted himself by his own reason. We know that Satan (aka: Lucifer) seeks worship for he tempted Jesus to worship him…1/3 of the angels are not enough…he wants all worship! (Isaiah 14:12-17).
God has a government and we know for a fact that Lucifer was called a murderer and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is a murderer of 1/3 of the angels that will be destroyed because of his deceit. He is a murderer of the human race, because of the deceit that led to the fall of man…all men die a physical death. He is a murderer of all those he deceived about God who will perish in the second death. He is a liar because he deceived 1/3 of the host of heaven. He is a liar because he deceived Eve in the Garden. He is a liar because of all the doctrines, beliefs, theories, etc. that are contrary to the Word of God.
The fact is, many of the Ten Commandments were broken in the Garden of Eden. Not only by eating the forbidden fruit, but also by what led up to the eating of it. Here are some examples:
1) We already established that the serpent lied when he told Eve she would not die. In doing so he broke the 9th Commandment. (Genesis 3:4, Exodus 20:16). The devil is called a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).
2) It’s clear that Eve coveted the fruit. (Genesis 3:6) In coveting she broke the 10th Commandment. (Exodus 20:17) It seems likely that she also coveted the possibility of being like God. When one covets, this also breaks the 2nd Commandment about idolatry (Exodus 20:4-6) because in Colossians 3:5 the Apostle Paul said that covetousness is idolatry. In turn, breaking these 2 Commandments also breaks the 1st Commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3) Isn’t it true that coveting and idolatry is putting other things or even people before Jehovah, making them as gods? This can be the case with money, possessions or anything we put before our God Jehovah. Adam evidently loved Eve more than he loved Jehovah because he chose to eat the fruit and die rather than to obey his God. Satan had the same issue of coveting, prior to the fall of man. Please read Isaiah 14:12-14.
3) Satan convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. When Eve and Adam ate the fruit; Satan, Adam, and Eve in effect murdered mankind, including Jesus! (Genesis 3:15, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:3). In fact, the devil is called a murderer (John 8:44). This broke the 6th Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13)
4) Adam and Eve also broke the 5th Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12 Emphasis added) Were they showing honor to their Heavenly Father Jehovah when they directly disobeyed Him? Notice how this Commandment reads. It says, “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” This Commandment is so true, because if Adam and eve had honored Jehovah by not eating the fruit, they would still be alive today!
5) Adam and Eve broke the 7th Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14) When they followed Satan instead of Jehovah, was this not Spiritual adultery? (Hosea 2:16, 19, 20, Hosea 3:1-5, James 4:4)
6) They also broke the 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) When they took of the fruit which Jehovah told them not to Adam and Eve took or “stole” what did not belong to them. (Genesis 2:15-17)
7) Satan broke the 3rd Commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” As the angels of heaven looked onto this earth, Jehovah’s name was brought into question by Satan. How? Satan accused the Supreme Lawgiver of holding back from Adam and Eve the ability of knowing good and evil and being like God. (1 Corinthians 4:9, Genesis 3:5) This also insinuates that Adam and Eve felt that they did not need their creator for eternal life. In essence Satan was saying to Eve, “you yourself can be God, you don‘t need Jehovah.” When you consider the gravity of the accusation and the action taken by Adam and Eve, wouldn’t this be treating Jehovah’s name in a worthless way?
Lastly, as to whether or not Adam and Eve broke the Sabbath which is the 4th Commandment, the Bible does not say. However, just as the marital arrangement is Holy, so too the Sabbath is Holy. One cannot deny that both marriage and the Sabbath were created prior to sin. (Genesis 2:2, & 2:24) This also proves that the Sabbath existed before there ever was a Jew. So, it’s very clear in Scripture that the Sabbath existed before Sinai as well. (Exodus 16:22-30, Exodus 20:11).
God has a government by which his created beings live; it ensures life, peace, happiness, health, safe keeping. God’s government is a reflection of himself…love; for we are told that God is love (1 John 4:7-21). His commandments are eternal and are foundational to his creations (i.e., angelic host, human begins, that we know of). We are told that his law hangs on two principles: the love of God and the love of others (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-37).
The Ark of the Covenant
Let me end this post with this, The Ark of the Covenant was a beautiful container that was overlaid with gold and had two cherubim’s (type of angel) whos wings arched over the mercy seat (lid) and touched one another (Exodus 25:17-22). The box was beautiful and rested in the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary where God’s presence dwelled. The Ark was a mere container or receptacle which held three items (Hebrews 9:4): the tablets of stone (Exodus 25:16)*, pot of manna (Exodus 16:32-33), and Aaron’s budded staff (Numbers 17:10)*. The mercy seat, that covered these items which the box contained, represented the mercy (compassion and forgiveness: 1 John 1:9) of God towards mankind who stand convicted of breaking (1 John 3:4, Romans 6:23) His divine, holy law and who are under the penalty of death (second death: Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, 21:8; Matthew 10:28)**. The Ark was not to be touched else they would die (Numbers 4:15).
The golden pot of manna represents mankind’s rejection of God’s provision of: 1) the physical bread to sustain life in the wilderness; 2) Jesus Christ (God/Man) who is the ‘bread of life’. He is the true Manna from heaven. They rejected who it pointed to as many do today either totally or partially. Numbers 21:5, John 6:33,50-51.
Aaron’s budded staff represents mankind’s rebellion against his leadership. When the people murmured against Moses and Aaron, they were really murmuring against God – for it was God who called and appointed them as His representatives. In fact, the people did not want God to speak to them directly (Exodus 20:19). In addition, the staff that budded/blossomed and was made alive represents the Son of God who came and took on human flesh, Jesus Christ. He who died on a tree (staff) and was buried (tomb/grave/pit-a container so to speak), BUT rose (budded/blossomed) on the third day and was seated on the right hand of the Father as our Royal High Priest making intercession for us. Acts 7:55-56; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 3:21. The fact that Jesus is our High Priest is further substantiated by the prophets foretelling that there would be a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:1-21).
FINALLY, Aaron’s rod signifies the rebellion of people against God, the manna signifies a rejection of God’s provision, and the Ten Commandments point us to man’s disobedience, rebellion over His eternal laws. MOST IMPORTANTLY, we are covered by mercy if we accept Christ’s gift of grace.
* God’s law is also referred to as ‘testimony’.
** On Matthew 10:28: The English word “soul” is a translation of the Greek word psuche and from the Hebrew word nephesh. Both words mean “a living, breathing creature,” referring to man or animal. “Soul” never means something immortal inside of man or animal. The words ‘immortal soul’ appear nowhere in the Bible. In fact, the Bible shows that a soul can perish. Ezekiel twice writes, “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20). The word “soul” pertains to the life of any physical being or creature. Soul simply means “life.” SO, the body decays and the soul (life) ends. DON’T be afraid of those that can kill the body, FEAR ONLY the one who can destroy both the body and life (life here is speaking of eternal life), which sinks with second death.
Side Notes – Other Names for Satan
Lucifer, Anointed Cherub, Day Star, Bright Morning Star, Son of the Morning, Devil, Tempter, Ruler of Demons, Ruler of this World, Ruler of the Authority of the Air, god of this world, Belial, Beelzebul, The Evil One, Enemy, Adversary, Serpent, Roaring Lion, Murderer, Liar, Father of Lies, The Angel of the Abyss, Apollyon and Abaddon, Dragon, Deceiver of the Whole World, Accuser of God’s People.
These names tells us a lot about his character and who we are up against in this conflict between good and evil. He is the master deceiver for every truth, Satan mixes error with a ‘little bit’ of truth (remember: “You will NOT surely die”). He has a unique way as appearing as ‘light’. We are called to “watch” (Matthew 24:4-11, Luke 21:7-15). We can only discern deception if we have an intimate relationship with God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-guides us to truth, Galatians 5:16—guides us away from sin, Luke 4:18-guides us to our purpose; Ps. 143:10-guides us to the will of God). God’s grace and peace be with you.