10 Sayings

We have been studying the Ten Commandments, and I was interested to hear that the better translation would be Ten Sayings or Ten Statements.

I was also interested to hear the discussion about the purpose of those ten sayings.

During our growing up years, most of us were taught that the ten were indeed commands, directions on how to live. God is telling Man what the rules are for living properly in this world . . . rules for relating to God and rules for relating to fellow man. God is "laying down the law." Or maybe a softer approach: God knows best how things should be done so he is sharing with us the do's and don'ts that will make life better for us because he loves us.

This perspective usually leads to teachings about rule-keeping and obedience. . .

A different perspective suggests that the ten sayings are for the purpose of revealing the nature of God. With each of the ten sayings, we learn what God approves and disapproves. As we know more about Him, His nature, we move into closer relationship with Him. (If you know that I like classical music or who-dun-it novels, you know me better; if you know that God disapproves of stealing, you know Him better.)

This perspective leads to teachings about knowing God. . .

My natural inclination is to agree with both.
Yes, the ten sayings were given with both purposes in mind.

In fact, I find this same duality of purpose in all of scripture.
Is the Bible given to us to provide guidance on how we should live? Yes.
Is the Bible given to us to help us learn the nature of God? Yes.

I know many who shy away from the idea of the Bible as a rulebook. That sounds so harsh. And Americans in general tend shy away from the idea of obedience. We are fiercely independent and don't want anyone telling us what to do!

On the other side, however, I think there are many among us who would reduce the Bible to JUST a rulebook, missing the rich inferences about the God who inspired the book. In some cases, I think we take this rulebook approach because we are too lazy, too shallow, too whatever to wrestle with the text and too fearful to let the Spirit work on us during the wrestling.

And to muddy the waters a little: I think there are more than just two purposes in God's words to us.