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Deuteronomy 5:32-33, So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Finally, Moses communicates the decrees by which the people are to live while in the promised land. These ten commandments are basically the same commands given to their fathers and mothers thirty-eight years prior. The first five commandments pertain to humanity's relationship with God.  The next five commands are about how humans must treat one another.  They are now being reinforced to the next generation, to the ones who will actually enter the land of Canaan.

As Christ-followers, the ten commandments no longer form the basis of our covenant relationship with God.  But they are essential guidelines for living a life that honors God.  These are commands that help us flourish and grow as people.  These are guardrails for life.  Certainly, they also set us apart from the culture; by living according to these laws, we demonstrate a different way of life that points to the Kingdom of God.  While we do live on the other side of the cross, these are not commands that are obsolete.  Jesus commanded us to love God and love others.  It seems the ten commandments play an important role in getting us there. 

Let's pray...God, Thank you for the beauty of your law.  Thank you for providing boundaries and guardrails for our lives so that we can do life in a way that helps us flourish and also points others to Jesus.  When we fail, please forgive us, but also help get us on the right path.  In your name, Amen.