Lenten Writing Prompt #19
In Mel Brooks' "History of the World Part I", Moses is originally given FIFTEEN commandments. When he accidentally drops one of the stone tablets (see the video in the link below), he corrects himself and says "TEN".
What do you think those 5 extra commandments would have been on that third stone tablet? Are they mentioned somewhere else? How would things be different if they were included?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TAtRCJIqnk
My names are many throughout the earth. Know that you see of me only what you will, while others see me in their own limited ways. Yet I am more than all. Seek for my love in all, for I would have you be my blessing.
ReplyDelete“You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or human concept, construct or system, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth to be your god. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
You shall not use my name to excuse your violence, deceit, or desire for power.
Six hours you shall labor for yourself and for your family. And the seventh hour you shall set aside to know me and learn my ways. Sit quietly and without human distractions in the natural world I have created. In the daylight hours that remain work in such a way as to build your community and be the blessing I would have you be.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Honor all that upon which you live, the soil, the water, the plants, and animals, even as you honor your father and mother who gave you birth. Remember that I have called for sabbath for them as well as for you.
“You shall not murder.
"You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Everyone you meet is your neighbor, even those who do not follow the ways that I have given you.
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”
Above all, remember that all you have is gift from me, nothing you have is more important than who you are and what you mean to me.
I love the last line!
DeleteThe numbering was lost! The structure was preamble, then line breaks for ech commandment. Quotation marks hint at those that came unchanged from Exodus. I couldn't decide if the lost ones came first, or at the end, so mixed them in.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, it never meant much to me until tonight, but they weren't numbered in the original text. We make them a series strung together by a series of numbers. We can't even agreed on which numbers go with which law, check out the Lutherans and the Presbyterians, I'm not saying this is right but perhaps there was a little more free association thinking going on here than straight ...linear thinking.... huh. like... oh yea and don't murder...and while you're at it don't do any adultery either that's right. I don't know - it just makes me think or ...more to the point wonder. Generally I think life and faith are more creative than they are linear anyway. Maybe that's just me. (speaking of rambling)
ReplyDeleteRemember, I created male and female in my image. Treat each other with mutual respect for you are equal in my sight and heart. Work together and the challenges of your lives will be easier to conquer.
ReplyDeleteChilldren are your legacy and delight (trust me). Treat them well as you teach the how to follow my plan for life abundant. Bruise not their bodies or spirits for non-violence is my preferred conflict resolution method. Yet, I understand that parenting is fraught with aggravation. Remember you are not me. And they are not you. Forgive yourself and them and enjoy your times together for they will seem as rapid as the blink of an eye.
Indeed. Would have been good to have had these commandments earlier.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I need to say that I have never quite figured out which exactly were the original 10, since I keep seeing them divided up differently into so many versions. I now understand that the Lutherans decided to be different from everyone else, because --- there they stand.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I have also noticed that, in both the Old and New Testaments, God keeps reminding us over and over about 5 more things that must have been left of the original 10 Commandments. So, here are my extra 5:
11. Thou shalt protect orphans and widows
12. Thou shalt give Hospitality to strangers (and that includes those who are just different than you)
13. Thou shalt feed the poor
14. Thou shalt defend the rights of the poor and the needy
15. Thou shalt maintain justice and do what is right
Of course, if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and strength and soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself, then all these things will be taken care of anyway; but so will all of the first 10 Commandments. Enough said.
for His sake
Sara