Sinclair B. Ferguson

I suspect that next to a Bible, a good concordance, and a decent whole Bible commentary, the next most important book you should own is a good hymn book.

That's a strong statement, I know.

I wonder if you agree with me.

Why do I say that?

Well, obviously because I think it's important.

But why is it important?

Well, think about that until tomorrow, because I suspect we need to think about this a little more.

I hope you'll join me on the podcast tomorrow.

This week I thought it might be helpful for us to think about the Ten Commandments, or what the Hebrew Bible sometimes calls the Ten Words.

But I wonder how that strikes you.

There's a kind of atmosphere that surrounds the expression, the Ten Commandments.

And rightly so, because when we read the account of God giving them at Mount Sinai, Moses' experience is even more spectacular than it was at the burning bush.

The event was surrounded by thunder and lightning and a thick cloud.

At the foot of Sinai, the people trembled.

Truly, God revealed Himself as a God of power and might and holiness and righteousness.

But we should notice something here, something from the get-go when we think about the Ten Commandments.

It's this.

They were given by the God of infinite holiness and righteousness, but they were also given in a context of grace.

I think perhaps this is the single most important thing to remember.

God's law is given in the context of God's grace.