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| Q: | I would like to know why Exodus 20:4 is missing from the 10 Commandments as posted on your Web site, while 20:17 is split into 2 commandments to make up the difference, even though a neighbor's house would seem fall into the category of "anything that is your neighbor's." Also, why is 20:8 regarded as being merely cermonial law while the rest of the commandments are considered moral law? I've read Col. 2:16-17 and it sounds like it's talking about specific sabbaths (for example a Lenten service, etc), not the concept of the Sabbath itself. Is there some reason NOT to worship on the seventh day? | ||||||
| A: | Scripture speaks of 10 commandments (Dt 4:13, 10:4, Ex 34:28). Exactly how the commandments should be arranged so that there are ten has varied down through the years. It seems Ex 20:4 is talking about other gods just as the previous verse did, expanding on this matter with specific warnings about idols which Israelites were prone to worship. This understanding of v4 leads to splitting 20:17 into two commandments. The wording "you shall not" is repeated twice, and both speak about coveting. So they are related and are treated that way in the exposition of the catechism used in our church. There is no way of saying that one way of dividing is better than the other. It is done this way simply because Scripture speaks of 10 commandments. The command to worship on the seventh day of the week applied only in the Old Testament. Colossians 2:16-17 shows that we are not bound by all the OT commands about when we are to worship. The early New Testament used this freedom to worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Co 16:2). There would not have been anything wrong if they had chosen to contine to worship on the seventh day, but they chose to worship on the first day instead, the day of the Lord's resurrection. We also have chosen to worship on Sunday. But many of our congregations also have Saturday services for those whose occupation makes it difficult of impossible for them to worship every week on Sunday. | ||||||
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