6/13/11 Reason to Obey Ex 20:1-2; Luke 1:74

And God spoke all these words:
² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Ex. 20:1-2)

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful  (Luke 1:54)
⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear (Luke 1:74).
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)

(Angel appearing to Mary)

Thoughts: The reason to listen to God is found in His redemption.  He is the One who rescues us.  He remembers us in our slavery to sin.  Luke picks up on the redemption offered through Jesus.  It is found in Mary's song (Lk. 1:54) where she sees God's help and mercy through Jesus. It is found in Zecharaiah's song which focuses on God's rescuing us from those who would bring us harm (Lk. 1:74).  It is found in Simeon's song which points to Jesus as our "salvation."  God is to be heard.  Jesus is to be heard.  If a coastguard swimmer rescues us and tells us to sit in that seat and stay buckled up- we ought to listen to him- and respect his authority for having saved us.  So we should have open ears to God- who not only made us but rescues us from evil, hurt, and harm. 

Prayer: You are my deliverer.  May you be praised and heard in my life today.

John Calvin Abridged: Some say that this preface is the first of the commandments.  But God neither forbids nor commands anything here.  He only comes to them in His dignity to devote them to Himself and to claim his rightful authority- preparing their minds for obedience. 

He does not merely declare Himself to be Jehovah, the only God to whom men are bound by the right of creation, who has given them their existence, and who preserves their life, who is Himself the life of all; but He adds, that He is the peculiar God of the Israelites.  He later goes on to say that their redemption is a sign of their certain election and adoption.  So we do not serve God out of servile fear, but God gently calls us to listen to Him.