Origin: Exodus 20 in the Bible
Once upon a time, in the land of Egypt, there lived a man named Moses. Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into freedom.
Moses and the Israelites had been wandering in the desert for many days when they came to a mountain called Mount Sinai. There, God called Moses to the top of the mountain to speak with Him.
As Moses climbed the mountain, he saw thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud covered the mountain. God’s voice boomed from the cloud, and He spoke to Moses, giving him important rules for the people to follow.
These rules were called the Ten Commandments, and they were like a special gift from God to help His people live happy and good lives. Let’s learn about each of the Ten Commandments:
- Love God Above All: God said, “I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me.”
- No Idols: God said, “You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath.”
- Respect God’s Name: God said, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”
- Keep the Sabbath Holy: God said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
- Honor Your Parents: God said, “Honor your father and your mother.”
- No Harm: God said, “You shall not murder.”
- Be Faithful: God said, “You shall not commit adultery.”
- No Stealing: God said, “You shall not steal.”
- Truthfulness: God said, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
- Be Content: God said, “You shall not covet.”
Moses carefully listened to all these commandments and then carved them onto two stone tablets, which he brought down from the mountain to share with the people.
The Israelites were grateful for these rules and promised to follow them. They understood that these commandments were like a guidebook for living a good and righteous life.
And so, children, the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments teaches us about the importance of listening to God’s guidance and living in a way that pleases Him. These commandments remind us to love God and to treat others with kindness and respect.
