“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” - Exodus 20:2 (ESV)
Mom (my mother-in-law) is 100 years old. Although frail, she’s in good health, and her spirit is good. Like all of us, she has her good and bad days.
I’ve noticed that she has tended to repeat herself in the last couple of years. With precision, she re-lives her past experiences, describing in detail specific events. Minutes later, she recounts those stories as if she’s telling us for the first time.
I'm familiar with the aging process.
We tend to cling to what’s essential, re-telling and re-living meaningful moments as if they occurred yesterday. We don’t want to forget. But despite our attempt to stuff ourselves with supplements to diminish memory loss, it’s easy to forget.
God’s preface to the Moral Law (the Ten Commandments) holds equal weight to all the commandments.
It was customary for kings and governors to establish their names and titles associated with edicts before they initiated them. Doing so encouraged a more profound reverence and respect for their authority. Equally, their title or name preceding the command inspired obedience by instilling fear among the citizens should they choose to disobey.
“I am the Lord your God …” un-mistakingly identifies that the LORD, GOD, is the One who authorizes the forth-coming commandments. There’s no question as to Who has mandated these Ten Commandments. We may not like them, feel they are an infringement on our rights, are too restrictive, or are outdated. But despite our feelings, the Moral Law established by the LORD, GOD, still stands.
Old or young, it’s easy to forget.
Historically, we observe why God continually reminds His people: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” It’s God’s way of telling us: Don’t forget!
These are times when convenience is more popular than commandments, and self-entitlement overshadows servitude. Dishonesty is displacing integrity. Perhaps becoming overly repetitious isn’t bad: Re-telling and reminding ourselves and others “WHO” established the Moral Law is essential for each of us.
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