Below, printed before this sermon, are the readings and the introductions used before the readings at this Service of Worship.
Exodus 20:2-17 [ILV]
In popular art, the so called “Ten Commandments” are often pictured as being written in two tablets. That is because they are divide into two parts. One part deals with loving God and one part deals with loving neighbor. Further, the context in which these words are spoken is the appearance of God on Mount Sinai. Hence, to see this passage as apart from the covenant offered by God is to misread it. Indeed, seen in its true context, these words are among the most radically liberal in all Scripture. The Decalogue, you see, stands as a critical principle of protest against every kind of exploitative social relation— both public and interpersonal. It is, thereby, a social vision of possibility which can be transformative and liberating. Hear now this reading from the Tanakh in the section known as the Torah in the book known as Exodus.
[1] Then God spoke all these words:
[2] I am Yahweh, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, the house of bondage;
[3] you shall have no other gods except me.
[4] You shall not make for yourself any idol, any carved image or likeness, whether in the form of a thing that is in heaven or that is on the earth or that is in the waters. [5] You shall not bow down before them or worship them or serve them; for I am Yahweh, your God, a jealous God. For the iniquity of the parents I punish the children, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, who turn from me, [6] but I show kindness, steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and heed my commandments.
[7] You shall not utter the Name of Yahweh, your God, to make wrongful use of the Name, to misuse the Name, for Yahweh will not acquit anyone who utters the Name so it may be misused.
[8] Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. [9] Six days you shall labor and do all your work. [10] But the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh, your God. You shall not do any work on that day— neither you or your son or your daughter, nor your workers— men or women— nor your livestock, your animals, nor the resident alien, the foreigner, who lives in your towns, who lives among you. [11] For in six days Yahweh, your God, made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that they hold but rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh has blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it, made it sacred.
[12] Honor your mother and your father, so that their days may be long in the land that your God has given to you.
[13] You shall not murder.
[14] You shall not commit adultery.
[15] You shall not steal.
[16] You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
[17] You shall not desire your neighbor’s house; you shall not desire your neighbor’s wife, or worker— male or female, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Matthew 22:34-40 [ILV]
When all the laws found in the Hebrew Scriptures are added up, there are not just ten. There are 613 so called commands. Jesus reduces these to what we have come to call the two great commandments. But really, the two are so intertwined that most people readily acknowledge they are actually a single commandment. And, indeed, Jesus makes it clear: all Scripture can be seen in these words. Hear now this reading from the work we have come to call the Gospel According to Matthew.
[34] When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless because they were astonished at the teaching they heard, they gathered together, [35] and one of them, a lawyer, attempted to trick Jesus with a question. [36] “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” [37] Jesus answered:
“‘You shall love God Most High, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your mind.’
[38] That is the greatest and first commandment. [39] The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] On these two commandments the whole Law is based and the prophets as well.”
***
TEN?
A Two Character Dialogue by Tom Rasely and Joe Connolly [1]
TOM: All ready for this? OK, ladies and jelly-spoons. Today we’re going talk about the 10 commandments.
JOE: The what?
TOM: No, not ‘The What.’ The Ten Commandments. You know, like in the movie with Charlton Heston? You’ll find them in Exodus— the 20th Chapter.
JOE: Exodus? I thought that was a movie with Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint, not Charlton Heston.
TOM: No. The Heston movie is a story about Israel.
JOE: I thought the Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint movie was about Israel.
TOM: (Annoyed.) Well, it is. But the movie with Heston is called The Ten Commandments. It tells the story about Israel that’s right out of the Bible, a story from the book of Exodus. That story is about what happened 3,000 years ago. The Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint movie is called Exodus tells the story about the founding of the modern country known as Israel. That story is about what happened 60 years ago.
JOE: Well, then they are still both about Israel.
TOM: (Slight pause.) O.K. great! So which one are you? Siskel or Ebert?
JOE: Siskel is no longer with us.
TOM: Great— you can be him, then.
JOE: Right— about this 10 commandments stuff— I thought you could also find the Ten Commandments in places other than the 20th Chapter of Exodus.
TOM: Yeah. You can. There is a different version in the 5th Chapter of Deuteronomy. And there is yet another version in the 34th chapter of Exodus. But I wanted to talk about the ones in the 20th Chapter of Exodus. [2]
JOE: Well, hold on, now! If there are 10 Commandments in Exodus 34 and 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy and 10 Commandments in Exodus 20, that makes 30 Commandments, doesn’t it? That would be a lot of commandments to follow. Sounds kind of hard. And why would you want to talk only about the ones in Exodus 20? What makes them so special?
TOM: (Simmering.) O.K. O.K. Now, today I want to talk about the 10 Commandments we find in the 20th Chapter of Exodus. O.K.? (Pause.)
JOE: (Pause.) O.K. (Pause.) They are not commandments, you know.
TOM: (Sarcastic.) Oh right. They’re only called The Ten Commandments. They’re not really commandments. I should have known that— all that ‘thou shalt not’ stuff. They can’t really mean it, right?
JOE: I’m serious. They are not commandments. They are Words.
TOM: That’s brilliant. What else would they be?
JOE: No, I mean they are Words. Words with a capital ‘W.’
TOM: Ooh! W-W-W-words. Oh, yeah, that makes sense.
JOE: What I mean is: they’re not commands. There is actually no command tense in the Hebrew Language. So they cannot be commandments— no command tense; not commandments— but they are Words— Words from God. In fact, in Hebrew they are referred to three ways. They are called “the ten words,” or “the ten sayings” or “the ten matters” but they are not called the ten commandments. Even when words which illuminates what we so inaccurately call the “Ten Commandments” is rendered in the Greek, the Greek word used is “decalogue.” Decalogue means “ten words” or “ten terms.” But it does not mean “Ten Commandments.”
TOM: Fine. Next you’re going to say that there aren’t really ten of them.
JOE: There aren’t.
TOM: Of course there are ten of them.
JOE: How can you be so sure?
TOM: Because there’s a copy etched in stone right in the capital building of the State of South Carolina. (Slight pause.) I saw it on CNN. (Slight pause.) I saw it on FOX News. (Slight pause.) So, I know it’s true. (Slight pause.) I even saw it on MSNBC, huh? OK?
JOE: Well (sighs), that image of two tablets we often find on the walls of buildings is a representation of what we, in our society, have come to call the Ten Commandments— or at least it’s a representation of the ones found in the 20th Chapter of the Book called Exodus. But, in fact, just within those ten, different groups look at them in different ways. Jewish people number them differently than Reformed Protestants who number them differently again than those in the Orthodox tradition who number them differently again than those who are Catholics and Lutherans. [3] And so, yes— even when numbered differently, as all these different traditions do, ten is the traditional number we use when we refer to them. But ten is not really the issue here.
TOM: So, what do you mean ten isn’t the issue? Look, look— I’ve got a Bible right here, O.K.? And right here at the top what says right there in the chapter heading what is says is “The Ten Commandments.” There: what do you think of that?
JOE: Well, when you consider how the Bible was put together, you quickly come to an understanding that all those chapter headings were added much, much later by editors, by people who did not write the actual words of the text.
TOM: Oh, yeah, right— and I suppose the chapter and verse numbers were added later too.
JOE: They were.
TOM: Oh come on. Don’t be ridiculous. Peter and Paul made sure that the chapters and verses were in the King James Bible. That’s the one Peter and Paul used, isn’t it? And, look, how else could those early Hebrews know where to find all their favorite verses if things weren’t numbered? Bookmarks hadn’t been invented yet, and they sure were a long way from looking up things on-line, like I do. I really like Google, don’t you? You can find anything.
JOE: Now, now, now— slow down. And let’s start at the beginning, shall we? (Slight pause.) How was the Bible written?
TOM: Woo... well, well... maybe it wasn’t written. Maybe it just kind of came together by itself.
JOE: Yes, well some people do think that it just came together, kind of by itself. But the Bible was written and compiled and edited by people across the expanse of a long, long period of time. The Hebrew Scriptures were written and compiled and edited over the course of almost the entire one thousand years before Jesus was born. In fact, if we look at just the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch, it contains at least four documents written different at very different times. These four documents were all written between about one thousand years before Jesus was born and about 500 years before Jesus was born. Then, these four were combined into one document probably right after the Jews spent time in captivity, in exile in Babylon. And, needless to say, if the Pentateuch came together about 500 years before Jesus was born, that’s about, eh— (calculating) 2,100 years before the King James Bible was translated and published.
TOM: All right, that’s all very interesting. But I really don’t care about ancient Hebrew and ancient Greek or about this document stuff or even about translating. I just care about the Ten Commandments. So, let’s get back to them.
JOE: Well, now, you may not care about ancient Hebrew or Ancient Greek, or even about translating, but translating from these ancient languages is really the key here. You see, contrary to popular belief, Paul and Peter did not speak or write in Elizabethan English. Those two apostles spoke in ancient Greek, not in Elizabethan English. We know Paul could actually write in Greek, since one part of a letter by Paul says it is written in his own hand. But we are not even sure if Peter could write. Maybe he just dictated what got written down. So, it’s possible someone, maybe a scribe— a secretary— just copied down what Peter said.
TOM: Peter had a secretary? Cool.
JOE: (A little resigned with that response.) Like I said, the New Testament, the Christian Scriptures, are all written in ancient Greek. The Scriptures used by the Israelites are written mostly in ancient Hebrew. And, since most of us English speakers read Scripture in English, when these documents are translated into English and when we read it in English, we need to realize everything we read in these translations of Scripture is not being read in its original language. I’d suggest that in order to really understand what is being said, you need to know something about translation and about how translation works. Then, on top of that, while you probably don’t need to be fluent in ancient Hebrew and ancient Greek, it is helpful to know just a little bit about how they work.
TOM: Like I said, that’s all very interesting. But I really don’t care about ancient Hebrew and ancient Greek or translating. I just care about the Ten Commandments. So, let’s get back to them.
JOE: You do have a one track agenda, don’t you?
TOM: See, I was thinking maybe it would be a good idea if the Ten Commandments got an update.
JOE: An update??
TOM: Yeah. Like number 1: “No other gods.” I mean, come on. This is the 21st century; we’re supposed to be open-minded. How can we stand for “no other gods?”
JOE: Open minded? That’s more like empty minded.
TOM: What?
JOE: I didn’t say anything.
TOM: And then there’s number 2.
JOE: What’s wrong with that one?
TOM: Not one, two.
JOE: All right, is there something the matter with that one too?
TOM: One-two? (They look at each other.) Ah, skip it. The problem is number two is way long. I mean, you start off with “You shall not make for yourself any graven image,” and by the time you get to the part with “thousands of them that love me keep my commandments,” you’ve pretty much lost track of what you were reading. And you’ve got this “jealous God” business. I thought God was supposed to be… you know... nice.
JOE: Oh?
TOM: You know, kind of like a holy Santa Claus or something.
JOE: Oh???
TOM: Yeah, yeah, like Santa Claus. We ask and God gives. And number 3. Look at number 3. “You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.” I mean, GOD! Who would do a thing like that? And then along comes number 4, talking about the Sabbath. First of all, who uses a word like Sabbath anymore? And then six days this, and six days that, and six days blah, blah, blah. It’s all over the Scripture. I just want things more simple— modern. (Pause.)
JOE: Today is the Sabbath, you know. Are you keeping it holy?
TOM: Boy, you sure have a way of straying from the point. Let’s get back to these commandments. And I guess we could leave the next bunch alone, right?
JOE: Oh, really?
TOM: Yeah. I mean, it’s probably still not a good idea to murder or steal or bear false witness or commit adultery. So we leave them in. Although, poor old Dr. Phil to say nothing of Jerry Springer— and who would want to say anything about Jerry Springer— poor old Dr. Phil would be out of a job if people didn’t murder or steal or bear false witness or commit adultery, wouldn’t he?
JOE: Any other thoughts, Mr. Scribe?
TOM: Only one. And that’s number 10.
JOE: One is ten? That can’t be right.
TOM: No, no, no— there are ten-or however you want to put it, but I want to talk about one.
JOE: What’s that about tenors? We aren’t talking about the choir, you know.
TOM: Are you doing that on purpose?
JOE: But you just said tenor…
TOM: Look, ten— just ten! Not tenor! Ten— ten— it’s got that business of coveting. I have to tell you, I’ve lived in the same place all my life and never once have I coveted my neighbor’s ox. Or my neighbor’s a… my neighbor’s a...
JOE: Donkey... donkey.
TOM: (Relieved.) OK, yeah, right! My neighbor’s donkey. Anyway, enough with the coveting. If I really, really want something but don’t actually get it, I’m just dreaming about it, right? No foul, no harm. Right? Who cares? So, you see? I’m thinking the ten commandments really do need to be re-worked— this coveting stuff has got to go.
JOE: Well, got to go? Huh? That’s a lot of history you’d be throwing away.
TOM: Well, I sure don’t like throwing history away. So, maybe if we just brought the coveting up to date it would make more sense. Maybe it should say, “Don’t covert your neighbor’s truck” or “Don’t covert your neighbor’s swimming pool.” You know— just make it modern.
JOE: Well, the ten commandments already were re-worked, you know.
TOM: Oh? When? Did Fox News cover that? They are fair and balanced. They cover everything. I’m sure Fox would not miss a re-work of the ten commandments. Re-working the ten commandments— that would be news, wouldn’t it?
JOE: I guess I need to bring you up to speed. The ten commandments were re-worked. You can find that re-working in the Gospels.
TOM: Godspell? Isn’t that a musical?
JOE: Not Godspell. The re-working of the Ten Commandments is in the Gospels. The Gospels, the Gospels— the first four books you find in the New Testament? The story of Jesus?
TOM: Oh, those! And Jesus revised the Ten Commandments? In the Gospels?
JOE: Yup! Revised and abridged. In the Gospels you can find where Jesus said there are just two commandments.
TOM: Two??? Who’s going to set that up on a stone on some state capital building? Two is simply not impressive enough.
JOE: Look at what Jesus says in the book of Matthew, chapter 22, starting with the 37th verse.
TOM: Oh, so I was right about that chapter and verse thing, huh?
JOE: (Ahem.) When Jesus was asked what is the greatest Word from God, this was the answer: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two hang all the Law and Prophets.”
TOM: All of it, huh?
JOE: Yes. And then in the book that we know as The Gospel According to the School of John, in chapter 13, verse 34, it says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
TOM: That’s it?
JOE: That’s it. That’s all that is needed.
TOM: And you’re saying they’re not commandments?
JOE: They are imperatives. They are a call to action. They are a call for interaction, if you will. And they are Words to us and for us. They are Words offered to you and Words offered to me. They need no revision; they do need application. They need no particular scrutiny to be understood; they do need to be heeded.
TOM: Well... well... I suppose so. But the ten commandments are still there behind those two, even if it’s like you said— ten Words.
JOE: Well.....
TOM: Well what?
JOE: Perhaps the basic question is simple: is what we find in Scripture, is the Bible about the decrees of God or is the Bible about the character of God? If the Bible is about the decrees of God, then there are not just ten commandments. There are 613 commandments to be found in the Torah. These are what the Rabbi’s call The Law of Moses.
TOM: 613? I could never keep track of 613 commandments, let alone obey them!
JOE: Well, don’t worry about keeping track of all those commandments. After all, if you accept what Jesus said about the two commandments, then it can it all actually be reduced to just one Word.
TOM: Yeah, right— one Word.
JOE: No. It’s true. What Jesus said can all be reduced to just one Word.
TOM: All right, Mr. Smarty-pants— one Word. What it is?
JOE: (Pause.) Covenant.
TOM: (Pause.) Covenant? What does that mean?
JOE: Some say Covenant is the structure by which the biblical text organizes itself. But it goes beyond that. The word covenant illustrates the relationship we need to have with God and the relationship we need to have with each other. Covenant means commitment. Covenant means a commitment living with one another. Covenant means a commitment to respecting one another. Covenant means a commitment to appreciating the gifts God gives to each of us. Covenant means a commitment to listening to one another. Covenant is a commitment to growth, a commitment to the sharing of joy, the making of peace, a commitment to a future of hope, a commitment to the reality of love. Covenant explains, illuminates and illustrates the character of God. So, you see? One word— covenant— one Word. So, what do you say to that?
TOM: (Thinking with a shrug.) Amen?
JOE: Amen.
08/15/2010
United Church of Christ, First Congregational, Norwich, NY
ENDPIECE: It is the practice of the Pastor to speak after the Closing Hymn, but before the Benediction. This, then, is an précis of what the pastor said before the blessing: “Some societies place a prime emphasis on rules. Other societies see it differently. They place a prime emphasis on relationship. Rules and relationship are, in fact, two main themes found in Scripture. But I would suggest worthy rules develop only when relationship happens first. To say rules can be developed on their own or have a standing of their own and live in insolation from relationship is to deny the God of the Trinity who grants life and in whom we believe. So, which society will we be? One that sees relationship as prime or one that sees rules as prime?”
[1] It does need to be noted that there was a good deal of laughter among the congregation throughout this presentation.
[2] Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Exodus 34:1-27; Exodus 20:2-17. There was a chart in the bulletin with all three passages side by side.
[3] There was a chart in the bulletin illustrating the differences among these traditions.
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