Verse for the Day, 11 September 2014.

Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour's.”

We come today to the final commandment. At first glance it may appear to be out of place, even strange that it should be a part of the Ten Commandments, after all how dangerous is coveting, jealousy and envy? Thinking in this manner proves to show how much we underestimate the danger, the serious nature and the potential consequences of coveting.

Why did God give this command?

We shall look at three reasons.

Take a moment to read and reflect over the second half of the Ten Commandments, asking yourself the following question, what is the root cause of these sinful actions?

Exodus 20:13-16, “You shall not murder.  (14)  "You shall not commit adultery.  (15)  "You shall not steal.  (16)  "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.”

The root cause of murder, adultery, stealing and lying is that of pride and covetousness. Thus in our jealousy, envy, coveting and pride we strike out against others, we desire someone else’s spouse, we want the property of another, or we lie to our own gain and to the demise of another. Therefore this commandment is by no means out of place, for it seeks to deal with what lies at the root of many of the other commandments. God wants the people of Israel to understand that the “great” sin of murder, adultery, theft and falsehood have small and subtle beginnings. They are all conceived and nurtured in a heart that is coveting and filled with pride. The Israelites are being graciously warned against the root cause so that when they find covetousness in their hearts they deal with it quickly for they are aware of the potentially disastrous and destructive consequences if they allow it to fester and grow.

This commandment also emphasises the need for the people of Israel, and for us, to be content and to trust God for all our needs. Coveting is in many respects another word for discontentment and a lack of trust in God. In the act of coveting we become bitter that someone has what we believe we should have, what we think we are entitled to or deserve. Whilst this coveting is directed towards another person, it is primarily aimed at God. We are questioning God’s wisdom and will for us, and we are essentially telling God that we know better, we know what is best for us, what it is that He should be giving to us. When we start questioning God’s wisdom, will and sovereignty, when we start thinking we know better than God, we will find ourselves in very dangerous territory, for we are exalting ourselves above God. It is essential that we learn to trust God and be content with what He in His wisdom has given to us. We must learn to look to Him to supply our needs and at the same time, rejoice in the manner in which God provides for others, rejoicing in their prosperity, rather than envying it.

This is a commandment of love and life. God’s desire is for us to rest in Him, knowing He is faithful to supply our every need, He wants us to trust in Him for all things and to be content with what He is His wisdom has given to us. It is also His desire for us to live in peace with one another, rejoicing in the prosperity of others, and upholding, protecting and preserving the lives, families, property and prosperity of others. Coveting will undermine and destroy all this, for it will produce bitterness, slander, malice and disunity within society and will cause us to breed contempt for God, His wisdom, faithfulness and sovereignty. Living in such a manner is not a life of love and life in its fullest sense, rather it is a life of misery, hurt, pain and destruction. Therefore this commandment is a commandment of love and life.

All wise Father, we praise You for Your faithfulness and for Your wisdom, that You give to us what we need, when we need it, to the measure that we need it. We thank You, that You know what is best for us, what is for our highest good and never give to us that which would cause us to forsake You. We pray that You would help us to become increasingly content with that which You have given us and to avoid coveting what we do not have. May we glorify You by trusting in Your sovereign will and faithful provision. Amen.