A commandment is a divine rule given by God. The most famous are the Ten Commandments. They were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. They are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. They are the foundation of the moral law. They are written on two stone tablets. They are the covenant between God and Israel. They are the rules for life.

The Ten Commandments are divided into two parts. The first four concern our relationship with God. No other gods. No idols. Do not take God's name in vain. Remember the Sabbath. The next six concern our relationship with others. Honor your father and mother. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not covet. Jesus summarized them. Love God. Love your neighbor. That is the law.

The Ten Commandments

• You shall have no other gods before me.
• You shall not make any graven image.
• You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
• Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
• Honor your father and mother.
• You shall not murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness.
• You shall not covet.

The commandments are not a burden. They are a gift. They show us how to live. They show us how to love. They show us how to be free. They are the path of life. They are the way of peace. They are the law of liberty. The psalmist said: I love your commandments. They are my delight. They are my meditation. They are my song. The commandments are the word of God. They are the will of God. They are the heart of God. They are the commandments. And they are for our good.