The First Law of God in the Decalogue
The Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, given to Israel at Sinai, begins with the foundational declaration, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) [1, 2]. This commandment establishes the exclusive worship of Yahweh as the one true God, a principle that underpins the entire covenant relationship between God and Israel [7]. The Ten Commandments are considered a summary of the immutable moral law, initially inscribed by God on two stone tablets [2].
This first commandment is not merely a prohibition against polytheism but an affirmation of God's unique identity and sovereignty. Deuteronomy 6:4, which states, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one," serves as an exposition and enforcement of this first commandment, emphasizing that "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah" [7]. This oneness implies that God alone is to be the object of worship, love, and devotion [7]. John Gill notes that this commandment is "the first and great commandment" because it concerns God, who is the "first and chief good," and it demands the entirety of one's heart, soul, and mind [5]. It forms the basis for all duties toward God and is a compendium of the first table of the Decalogue [5].
The Decalogue itself was given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, about fifty days later, and was written by the "finger of God" [2]. While the initial tablets were broken by Moses, God rewrote them [1, 2]. The moral aspects of these laws are considered binding on all humanity, both Jew and Gentile [6]. The New Testament alludes to the Decalogue multiple times, indicating its continued relevance (Matthew 5:17-19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 7:7-8; 13:9; 1 Timothy 1:9-10) [1].
The emphasis on the oneness of God and the exclusive worship due to Him is a recurring theme in biblical theology. The "law of nature," discoverable by natural light, also points to God's will for human conduct, binding all people at all times through conscience [3]. The ceremonial law, which prescribed rites and ceremonies of worship under the Old Testament, was obligatory only until Christ completed his work, as these rites were typical of Him [3]. However, the moral law, exemplified by the Decalogue, remains perpetual and absolute [4].
The first commandment, therefore, sets the theological framework for all subsequent commands, demanding singular allegiance to God. It is the foundation upon which the entire structure of biblical ethics and worship is built, requiring perfect obedience of the heart [4]. This principle of exclusive devotion to God is echoed in the New Testament's emphasis on love for God as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37) [5].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Decalogue — The name given by the Greek fathers to the ten commandments; "the ten words," as the original is more literally rendered (Ex. 20:3-17). These commandments were at first written on two stone slabs (31:18), which were broken by Moses throwing them down on the ground (32:19). They were written by God a second time (34:1). The decalogue is alluded to in the New Testament five times (Matt. 5:17, 18, 19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 7:7, 8; 13:9; 1 Tim. 1:9, 10). These commandments have been divided since the days of Origen the Greek father, as they stand in th”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Commandments, the Ten — (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 10:4, marg. "ten words") i.e., the Decalogue (q.v.), is a summary of the immutable moral law. These commandments were first given in their written form to the people of Israel when they were encamped at Sinai, about fifty days after they came out of Egypt (Ex. 19:10-25). They were written by the finger of God on two tables of stone. The first tables were broken by Moses when he brought them down from the mount (32:19), being thrown by him on the ground. At the command of God he took up into the mount two other tables, and God”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Law — A rule of action. (1.) The Law of Nature is the will of God as to human conduct, founded on the moral difference of things, and discoverable by natural light (Rom. 1:20; 2:14, 15). This law binds all men at all times. It is generally designated by the term conscience, or the capacity of being influenced by the moral relations of things. (2.) The Ceremonial Law prescribes under the Old Testament the rites and ceremonies of worship. This law was obligatory only till Christ, of whom these rites were typical, had finished his work (Heb. 7:9, 11; 10:1; Eph. 2:16). I”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Law of God, The — Is absolute and perpetual -- Mt 5:18. Given To Adam. -- Ge 2:16,17; Ro 5:12-14. To Noah. -- Ge 9:6. To the Israelites. -- Ex 20:2-17; Ps 78:5. Through Moses. -- Ex 31:18; Joh 7:19. Through the ministration of angels. -- Ac 7:53; Ga 3:19; Heb 2:2. Described as Pure. -- Ps 19:8. Spiritual. -- Ro 7:14. Holy, just, and good. -- Ro 7:12. Exceeding broad. -- Ps 119:96. Perfect. -- Ps 19:7; Ro 12:2. Truth. -- Ps 119:142. Not grievous. -- 1Jo 5:3. Requires obedience of the heart -- Ps 51:6; Mt 5:28; 22:37. Requires perfect obedience -- De 27:26; Ga 3:10; Ja”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 22:35: This is the first and great commandment. Whether the object of it is considered, who is the first and chief good; or the manner in which it is to be observed, which requires and engrosses the whole heart, soul, and mind, and all the strength and power of man; or its being the principle from whence all the duties, and actions of men should flow, and the end to which all are to be referred; and is not only a compendium of the duties of the first table of the decalogue, but of all others that can be thought to, and do, belong to God. This is the first command in order ”
- Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 20:1: And God spake all these words,.... Which follow, commonly called the decalogue, or ten commands; a system or body of laws, selected and adapted to the case and circumstances of the people of Israel; striking at such sins as they were most addicted to, and they were under the greatest temptation of falling into the commission of; to prevent which, the observation of these laws was enjoined them; not but that whatsoever of them is of a moral nature, as for the most part they are, are binding on all mankind, and to be observed both by Jew and Gentile; and are the best an”
- Deuteronomy (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Deuteronomy 6:4: With Deu 6:4 the burden of the law commences, which is not a new law added to the ten commandments, but simply the development and unfolding of the covenant laws and rights enclosed as a germ in the decalogue, simply an exposition of the law, as had already been announced in Deu 1:5. The exposition commences with an explanation and enforcing of the first commandment. There are two things contained in it: (1) that Jehovah is the one absolute God; (2) that He requires love with all the heart, all the soul, and all the strength. "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah”