Bully's Blog

Well, besides disputing about how the Ten Words are to be divided up, Exodus 20 has its own literary structure, which is quite independent of the divisions.

Creation – Transcendence
And God spoke all these words, saying:

…..Division – Hierarchy
…..“I am the LORD your God,
……….who brought you out
……………of the land
………………..of Egypt,
……………out of the house
………of bondage.
…..(No sabbath in this stanza)

Ethics is divided into three: Altar, Fire and Smoke…

……….Ascension – Firstfruits (Covenant Head) – Ethics A
……….You shall have no other gods before Me.

……………Testing – Pentecost (rulers) – Ethics B
……………You shall not make for yourself – Ark/Law
………………..a carved (cut/divided) image, [1] – Veil
…………………….or any likeness – Altar & Nearbringing
…………………………that is in heaven above, - Lampstand
…………………….or that is in the Land beneath, – Incense
………………..or that is in the water under the Land; - Laver
……………you shall not bow down to them (no head)
……………nor serve them. (no body)

……….Maturity – Trumpets (Covenant Body) – Ethics C
……….For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, (Sabbath)
……………visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children (Passover)
………………..to the third and fourth [generations]  (Firstfruits)
…………………….of those who hate Me, (Pentecost – threshing)
………………..but showing mercy to thousands, (Trumpets – military)
……………to those who love Me (Atonement)
……….and keep My commandments. (Booths – Wise Judges)

…..Conquest – Atonement – Sanctions/Oath
…..You shall not take the name (Transcendence)
……….of the LORD your God in vain, (Hierarchy)
……………for the LORD will not hold [him] guiltless (Ethics)
…..…..who takes His name in vain (Sanctions)
…..(NO Succession)

Glorification – Booths – Continuity
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
…..Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
……….but the seventh day [is] the Sabbath of the LORD your God.
……………You shall do no work:

……….you, (Sabbath)
……………nor your son, (Passover)
………………..nor your daughter, (Firstfruits – Covenant bride)
…………………….nor your male servant,
…………………….nor your female servant, (Pentecost – Egypt)
………………..nor your cattle, (Trumpets – Swarms)
……………nor your stranger (Atonement – Covering of the Man)
……….who [is] within your gates. (Booths – shelter)

…..For [in] six days the LORD
……….made the heavens
……………and the Land,
………………..the sea, (central to step 6 as Laver)
……………and all (swarms)
………. that is in them, (covering)
…..and rested the seventh day.

Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
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[1] See Graven Words.