The Ten Commandments Given at Creation and Sinai
Before God gave the Ten Commandments at Sinai, He revealed them to humanity at creation when the plan of salvation was offered to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15). The Bible defines sin as “the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Man could not have known sin without the law. Paul explains, “Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet” (Romans 7:7).
How could man ask for forgiveness by shedding the blood of animals if he didn’t know what is sin? Therefore, the Lord made sure from the very beginning that His children knew His Laws (Exodus 20:2-17) that they may avoid it.
God created us to enjoy happiness, peace, long life, fulfillment, and every good blessings for which we desire. God’s law is the way that points us to the right direction that we may have this true and ultimate happiness. And God’s law is the wall that protects God’s children (Galatians 3:24).
So, prior to Sinai, people knew God’s unchanging laws (Psalms 111:7, 8). For example, Abraham diligently observed all of God’s laws, whether they came directly from God or whether they had been handed down from past generations. The Bible states, “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5).
Abraham purposed in his heart to obey God implicitly; and whenever he failed, he approached God with the sacrifice of repentance upon the altar of his heart (Hebrews 7:25; 8:1–4). He left his native land, he offered his son, he carried out the rite of circumcision, he paid tithe and offered sacrifices. The same must certainly have been true with regard to all of God’s other commandments.
The law of God was given at the very beginning of time because it is a reflection of His character that does not change (Matthew 5:17,18). The transformation of men’s characters after the divine image is the great aim of the plan of salvation. The law reveals the character of God; the plan of salvation provides empowering grace to achieve every virtue (Philippians 4:13).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
