Come, journey with my family and I through Exodus chapter 20 as we reflect on the Ten Commandments throughout 2026.
We do this with humble hearts, well aware that we are not perfect — we are sinners in need of grace. As Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans:
Romans 3:22–24 (NIV)
“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Why the Ten Commandments? Well, why not. They are the law given by Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to His people. They were spoken at a time when fear, uncertainty, and anxiety surrounded them — and in their distress, they often forgot their God.
When we look around today, is it not the same? In seasons of fear and worry, we too, more often than not, lose sight of God.
Yet the beauty of the commandments is this: they are not only rules, but a call back to relationship with God and others. In the New Testament, Jesus gently and powerfully sums them up in Matthew:
Matthew 22:36–40 (NIV)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
If we truly lived this way — loving God fully and loving one another sincerely — what a different world this would be.
Back to our family journey, which began in February with the First Commandment. Our prayer is that this journey anchors our hearts back to God.
Bible reading 📖
Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
"You shall have no other gods before me.”
Esodo 20:3 (Motu)
Idau dirava ta basio abia lau vairagu ai.
Reflections 🙌
When we read the chapters that come before the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus, we are reminded of the story of the Israelites in Egypt. They did not begin as slaves. Over time, however, their situation changed, and they found themselves living under harsh bondage. The book of Exodus tells how God heard the cries of His people and delivered them from Egypt.
Egypt in those days was a place filled with many gods. The people worshipped countless idols and believed in many deities. In many ways, our world today is not so different. It too is filled with many distractions — things that slowly draw our attention, our devotion, and even our hearts. Without realising it, the things we value most can quietly become idols in our lives.
The Israelites lived in Egypt for more than 430 years. Over such a long time, it is possible that many of them became accustomed to the beliefs and practices around them. Perhaps some had even begun to forget the one true God who had called their forefathers — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
So when God gave the first commandment, it was both clear and powerful:
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
This command is a loving reminder — first to the Israelites, and also to us today — that God alone must have the first place in our lives.
During our discussions as a family, we reflected on the ways we can unknowingly place other things before God. There’s so many, but the one example that many of us can relate to today is technology — the internet, social media, smartphones, and the constant stream of information around us. It is very easy to become absorbed by them. What begins as a simple habit can slowly become an attachment, and sometimes even an addiction.
Before we realise it, we can find ourselves making excuses: one more scroll (aka doom scrolling), one more video, one more message. Quietly and gradually, the time and attention that once belonged to God becomes filled with other things. And without noticing, we begin to feel a distance from Him.
As we continue reading in Exodus, we also see how quickly the human heart can wander. While Moses was on Mount Sinai in the presence of God, the people grew impatient. Thinking he had delayed too long, they asked Aaron to make them a golden calf so they could worship it instead.
It is a sobering moment in Scripture. Even after witnessing God’s mighty deliverance, it did not take long for them to turn their hearts toward something else.
This is why the first commandment still speaks so clearly to us today. It gently calls us back — again and again — to remember who God is, to examine our hearts, and to give Him the rightful place in our lives: first above all things. He alone is the Great I AM.
Exodus 3:13–14 (NIV)
“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?’
God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”’”
These words remind us that God is eternal, self-sufficient, and above all else. He is not one among many — He is the One.
So our aim in life should be simple, yet profound: God first, and everything else will fall into its rightful place. ❤️🙏📖
Prayer 🙏
Almighty God, the Great I AM,
You alone are worthy of all praise and worship.
King of kings and Lord of lords,
How merciful and gracious You are,
that You love us without end,
even in our weakness and sin.
May Your holy name
be blessed yesterday, today, and forever.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏
To God be the glory always 🙏
Idau Hahine 