Context for the Commandments: Egypt, Exodus, and the Heidelberg Catechism

Thanks to Synod School Middle School Classes for your insights. 
And thanks to Walter Brueggeman, Eberhard Busch, and M. Craig Barnes...

Compare and Contrast.  It's relatively easy for students to figure out some of the differences between Pharaoh and the One True God, especially students who have mostly grown up around the church. (See how many references to Psalm 103 you can find.) Pharaoh was unforgiving and capricious and impatient; but God forgives all our sins, heals all our diseases, is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast (loyal, faithful) love. The king-god of Egypt was cruel and fostered anxiety; but God is merciful and compassionate and fosters Shalom.

The Great and Powerful Oz (Pharaoh).  But one student made a great point this morning. Pharaoh, the "king-god" of Egypt was not *totally* unlike God. In his own realm the Pharaoh had unlimited power and total authority. "I am the Lord your God" is something the Israelites might have heard from Pharaoh, right? "Who is the LORD that I should obey him," he asks Moses.  For all intents and purposes, Pharaoh was right on target. In Egypt, Pharaoh was king of kings and lord of lords. 

Surprise!  Well, at least until the ten plagues came along, and the Exodus, and finally that nasty "Waterloo" at the Red Sea. Which all proves that Pharaoh was never really right at all. Even though--on the ground, in the mud pits, building more and bigger barns, coerced into living FOR him--it might very well have SEEMED like he was right. 

Deliverance/Redemption.  Fast forward to Mount Sinai where God speaks the covenant: "I am the Lord your God"--but not merely that, but rather--"I am the Lord your God who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the land (house) of slavery (bondage)." 

A New Way.  Pharaoh might very well have issued commandments 1, 2 and 3. No god but me. No idols other than duly-authorized Pharaoh idols. No disrespectful use of my name. But Pharaoh would never authorize a day of rest. Nor would he devote commandments four through ten to "loving others." 

Covenant. Gift. Gratitude.  All of this gives us some context for the Ten Commandments. God wants us to thrive. Pharaoh fostered anxiety and fear. Pharaoh used his total power oppressively. God nurtures, fosters community, never coerces us into obedience. But rather provides the Ten Commandments as a Covenant, a gift. So the Heidelberg Catechism places the commandments NOT in the section about sin and misery BUT RATHER in the section about our grateful response to God's amazing grace. In the context of the Exodus, the commandments are all about freedom. In the context of the creation story, the commandments are about life as people created in the image of God--humanity created for relationships, for compassion, for openness and respect and abundant loving. In the context of worship, the commandments belong AFTER the assurance of pardon. In the context of the Heidelberg Catechism, the commandments are a guide to grateful living.     

Rev. Randal K. Lubbers

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

Synod School 2014

Lord’s Day 32

Q & A 86

Q. Since we have been delivered
from our misery
by grace through Christ
without any merit of our own,
why then should we do good works?

A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood,
is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image,

so that with our whole lives

we may show that we are thankful to God

for his benefits,1

so that he may be praised through us,2
so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits,3
and so that by our godly living

our neighbors may be won over to Christ.4

1 Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:5-10
2 Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20
3 Matt. 7:17-18; Gal. 5:22-24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11
4 Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2