FIRST THINGS FIRST
 
There are certain laws of language governing what is being said when we speak or write. These laws are to be found in the Bible just as in other areas of expression. In writing it is best to come to the point quickly, rather than building one up to a point and then dropping a heavy on the reader. In other words, order of mention is significant. This is particularly true when stating matters of morality.
Right and wrong are necessary corollaries in any discussion of life relationships, whether there is life beyond the grave, whether there is a God, and similar matters. Today right and wrong are considered matters of private opinion and each individual must decide for himself. This assumes that it is not important whether one knows the value of history, of age or experience, or is capable of evaluating matters of morality or spirituality. Such is a tragically erroneous assumption.
A Scriptural Example
The principle of priorities shows up marvellously in the record of that portion of the Law of Moses which has come to be known as the Ten Commandments.
  I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Ex 20:2-3 AV)
In light of the thinking of the average person, including most professing Christians, the usual concept of religion is that it is a system of rules governing moral actions. They possibly would admit that there are rules concerning forms of worship, observance of holy days, helping people, but perhaps overshadowing all of these would be the idea that certain things are considered to be sin. Then sin is evaluated pyramid fashion, with the base sins of the flesh listed at the bottom of the stack, as murder the worst, then possibly child abuse, and so on up until we pass stealing, lying, and other overt actions which men look upon as against all religion.
This statement is admittedly extreme, but is it not a fact that very few people know much about God and all think about Him less than is demanded?
The Ten Commandments begin with the language of Ex. 20:3. "Thou shalt have no other gods before  me." Is this not the starting place for all true religion?
Should not every adherent to any formal religion have definite and strong convictions regarding God? He may not have worked out the lessons in the Bible regarding His Person, but if there is a God our first concern should be with what He is like. What pleases Him?
Ex 20:4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth" (AV)
Does He require anything of me? Yes, indeed! Israel, to whom this law was given at Sinai, was not to think of God as being like anything in creation. Hence, no image should be made to him, nor should one bow down to the image nor to anything so represented. Why? Because God is a jealous God, causing the sins of men to pass on in evil consequences upon their children when he is thus reduced to what man supposes He might be like (Ex. 20:4-5).
It is then specifically stated that God not only administers the justice of His wisdom and power on the disobedient, even extending to their children, but he shows mercy to multitudes who love Him and obey Him (Ex. 20:5).
God then sanctifies His name before the whole creation in the third commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Ex. 20:7). True, this would eliminate profanity, if followed, but its purpose goes much deeper. Since God is holy there should be no debasing of His person or his authority as these inhere in His name. God said He would not hold guiltless the one who took His name in vain, or for nothing. As the New Testament has occasion to state it: Heb 10:31: "[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (AV). God is not unreasonable when demanding that men respect Him as a Personal God.
The fourth commandment:  "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Why were holy days prescribed? It was a merciful way God had of keeping His people reminded of Him and His will and ways. Some of these days were harsh reminders of God's judgement upon sin, but at the same time, a gracious picture of His provision for sinners. The sabbath of the law, like that before the law, was an instruction to men that they were not the ones in control of their lives. He is God and prescribes our whole course. Heb 4:3  "For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (AV). It was after God had finished His creation work that He entered into His rest. This rest was what was prescribed for men to remember. They were to get the idea that God had a purpose and desired His creatures to partake with Him in that glorious purpose. The seventh day once in the week was to sanctify our hearts to this purpose. God has since revealed that purpose in much greater detail. Through it all He is God. This must not escape us. We who  have thus believed do enter into rest. This is a spiritual experience belonging only to the heart now, but it portends a time when God shall bring out before all the purpose He had in mind: a kingdom of righteousness and peace for all. Those who talk peace (1 Thes. 5:3) may not qualify. Read the verse cited (Heb. 4:3) and the whole context of that chapter. The word finished is most significant. The form is Aorist Passive Participle. It tells us that God who inhabits eternity has wrought all His works beyond time, so we may be sure there is no uncertainty in His promises nor in His purpose. There is a rest for the people of God. We have only sensed it in our hearts, but it certainly shall become a blessed reality. For this present age the sensing in the heart may not be sufficient. Never has it been sufficient simply to mark a day on the calendar, pretend it is holy, and then please ourselves throughout that day without consideration of God.
The fifth Commandment: Ex 20:12 "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (AV). Up to this point every commandment centers our attention upon God, the Creator, the holy Person who must be worshiped and adored. Now comes a commandment for those who may yet be children. These have one who stands in the place of God while they are young and lack understanding of the deeper things of God. Even in later life those who stood before us to represent God to us are to be honored. God promised something special for those who did. Eph 6:2-3:  "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (AV). We all would like to have things go well with us, and live to a good old age. It is a promise attached to those who deserve our honor for having taught us about their God.
Thus we have gone half way through the list of the  Ten Commandments and every one simply requires that we know God, learn Him for the God He is, honor Him for such, and go on through life learning more about Him and waiting for Him to show us more of and about Himself so we may honor Him as He deserves. So we may put first things first .
 
 
 
 
 

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