The command forbids stealing as one of God's holy Ten Commandments, belonging to the last six that set out duties toward fellow human beings. It was spoken by God Himself to Israel at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, and repeated to the new generation at the Jordan as they were about to enter Canaan, binding all who heard to learn, keep, and do it. As a definite expression of God's will it is to be carefully observed even in what seems small, requiring perfect obedience and reverence for God. To break it is to break God's law and bring sure consequences, adding to the curse and suffering upon the earth. To keep it with the other commandments brings covenant mercy, life, blessing and health, so it remains to be studied in principle, examined in the heart, and obeyed as the standard in the present time of judgment.
Giving at Horeb and Jordan
The prohibition against stealing belongs to the Ten Commandments that God gave to Israel at Horeb at Sinai and that Moses repeated to the new generation preparing to enter Canaan. It was set before that rising generation so they would learn it, keep it, do it, and understand the need to obey God's law. Its requirements remain to be studied and put into practice in principle, making the path plain and shielding people from temptation.
It was first spoken face to face out of the midst of the fire at Horeb and then repeated to the whole encampment in solemn assembly. After Israel failed the first solemn covenant, God in mercy did not destroy them but gave another opportunity to obey by having Moses repeat the Decalogue with a trumpet call for earnest attention. That repetition bound those then alive, not only their fathers, to learn the statutes and judgments and to keep and do them, because eternal welfare was at stake. It was to govern all words and actions as His pledged people who had promised to do all the words of the Lord.
It was recapitulated again when Israel had come to the river Jordan and the time to possess Canaan was at hand. The repetition was needed because few of that present generation were old enough to have comprehended its solemnity when first given. God presented the claims of His law before them as they were about to pass over Jordan and take the promised land, and enjoined obedience as the condition of prosperity.
Meaning, Obedience, and Blessing
Neither shalt thou steal forbids stealing as one of God's holy Ten Commandments. It belongs to the last six commandments, which set out duties toward fellow human beings, and therefore governs conduct toward one's neighbor. It is part of the law God requires to be kept, and transgression of that law brings consequences.
As a definite requirement expressing God's will, its direction is to be carefully observed with all the others, even when it may seem small. It calls for perfect obedience and the sanctification of mind, soul, and body. Reverence for God requires obedience to it.
Breaking one of the Ten breaks God's law. The laws governing the body share its divine origin and character, so that violating them is also sin. Transgression of God's law brings sure consequences and contributes to the curse upon the earth and to suffering among humans and animals.
Keeping it with the other commandments, statutes, and judgments brings the keeping of the covenant and the mercy sworn to the fathers, with love and blessing and multiplication, life and possession of the promised land, and the taking away of all sickness. Obedience brings the Lord's cooperation and blessing, while disobedience prevents that blessing. Obedience is learned by remembering God's forty-year leading in the wilderness to humble and prove the heart, suffering hunger and feeding with manna to teach that man lives by every word from God's mouth, preserving raiment and feet, and chastening as a father chastens a son, calling to walk in His ways and fear Him.
Its requirements remain to be studied and put into practice in principle, making the path plain and shielding people from temptation. Deuteronomy 4 to 8 is to be studied with profit by those preparing for future eternal life. Each person should examine whether he has kept it and why not, since unbelief clouds the mind so that it does not reverence God or obey His law, and even many who profess to serve Him refuse its precepts. The commandments are the standard in the present time of investigation before God's great final review, when every character will have been investigated, every case decided for eternity, and the people of this world must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for their deeds.
The command forbids stealing as one of God's holy Ten Commandments, belonging to the last six that set out duties toward fellow human beings. It was spoken by God Himself to Israel at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, and repeated to the new generation at the Jordan as they were about to enter Canaan, binding all who heard to learn, keep, and do it. As a definite expression of God's will it is to be carefully observed even in what seems small, requiring perfect obedience and reverence for God. To break it is to break God's law and bring sure consequences, adding to the curse and suffering upon the earth. To keep it with the other commandments brings covenant mercy, life, blessing and health, so it remains to be studied in principle, examined in the heart, and obeyed as the standard in the present time of judgment.
Giving at Horeb and Jordan
The prohibition against stealing belongs to the Ten Commandments that God gave to Israel at Horeb at Sinai and that Moses repeated to the new generation preparing to enter Canaan. It was set before that rising generation so they would learn it, keep it, do it, and understand the need to obey God's law. Its requirements remain to be studied and put into practice in principle, making the path plain and shielding people from temptation.
It was first spoken face to face out of the midst of the fire at Horeb and then repeated to the whole encampment in solemn assembly. After Israel failed the first solemn covenant, God in mercy did not destroy them but gave another opportunity to obey by having Moses repeat the Decalogue with a trumpet call for earnest attention. That repetition bound those then alive, not only their fathers, to learn the statutes and judgments and to keep and do them, because eternal welfare was at stake. It was to govern all words and actions as His pledged people who had promised to do all the words of the Lord.
It was recapitulated again when Israel had come to the river Jordan and the time to possess Canaan was at hand. The repetition was needed because few of that present generation were old enough to have comprehended its solemnity when first given. God presented the claims of His law before them as they were about to pass over Jordan and take the promised land, and enjoined obedience as the condition of prosperity.
Meaning, Obedience, and Blessing
Neither shalt thou steal forbids stealing as one of God's holy Ten Commandments. It belongs to the last six commandments, which set out duties toward fellow human beings, and therefore governs conduct toward one's neighbor. It is part of the law God requires to be kept, and transgression of that law brings consequences.
As a definite requirement expressing God's will, its direction is to be carefully observed with all the others, even when it may seem small. It calls for perfect obedience and the sanctification of mind, soul, and body. Reverence for God requires obedience to it.
Breaking one of the Ten breaks God's law. The laws governing the body share its divine origin and character, so that violating them is also sin. Transgression of God's law brings sure consequences and contributes to the curse upon the earth and to suffering among humans and animals.
Keeping it with the other commandments, statutes, and judgments brings the keeping of the covenant and the mercy sworn to the fathers, with love and blessing and multiplication, life and possession of the promised land, and the taking away of all sickness. Obedience brings the Lord's cooperation and blessing, while disobedience prevents that blessing. Obedience is learned by remembering God's forty-year leading in the wilderness to humble and prove the heart, suffering hunger and feeding with manna to teach that man lives by every word from God's mouth, preserving raiment and feet, and chastening as a father chastens a son, calling to walk in His ways and fear Him.
Its requirements remain to be studied and put into practice in principle, making the path plain and shielding people from temptation. Deuteronomy 4 to 8 is to be studied with profit by those preparing for future eternal life. Each person should examine whether he has kept it and why not, since unbelief clouds the mind so that it does not reverence God or obey His law, and even many who profess to serve Him refuse its precepts. The commandments are the standard in the present time of investigation before God's great final review, when every character will have been investigated, every case decided for eternity, and the people of this world must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for their deeds.