The Promised LandSample

DAY THIRTEEN — God Gives His Law (Part 1)

At Mount Sinai, God did something extraordinary. He didn’t just call His people out of slavery—He showed them what it meant to live as His redeemed and holy nation. Through Moses, God gave the Ten Commandments, not as arbitrary restrictions, but as covenant words—guidelines for flourishing in relationship with Him. These commands were a gift, shaping Israel’s identity as His treasured possession and revealing what it looks like to walk in His ways.

The first half of the commandments are centered on our love for God. Before a single command was spoken, God reminded His people: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” The law came after deliverance, not before. In the same way for us today, obedience flows out of gratitude. We are not striving to win God’s approval—we are responding to the rescue He has already accomplished through Christ.

God’s law is therefore deeply relational. He wasn’t only giving Israel rules; He was inviting them into a way of life that reflected His holiness to the world. When we worship Him above all else, honor His name, and set aside time to rest in Him, we are declaring to everyone around us that our God is living, powerful, and worthy of all devotion.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What does the first half of the Ten Commandments teach you about God’s priorities for your life?
• Where are you tempted to let “idols” compete with God in your heart?
• How can you honor God’s name and presence in your daily routine?