Deuteronomy 4:12-13 (KJV) [12] “And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire ... [13] He declared unto you His covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.”
The most prominent biblical example of the number 10 is the “Ten Commandments” (Exo. 20:1-17). The first 4 commandments speak to our duties to God (vertical relationship), while the last 6 commandments speak to our duties to men (horizontal relationship). These commandments were given directly by God, not by Moses (Deut. 4:13), symbolizing permanence and divine authority. They addressed not just outward acts but also inner motives (e.g., “Do not covet”). They touched every aspect of life – worship, family, community, society, speech, time, justice, desires, property, truth, and inner motives – making them both spiritually and culturally unique.
The summary of the 10 commandments is love for the Lord your God (Mat. 22:37) and love for your neighbour as yourself (Mat. 22:39). By the first 4 commandments the LORD our God demands exclusive loyalty and worship. Beware of modern-day “gods” (money, success, accomplishments, possessions) that compete with our consecration or commitment to God. By the last 6 commandments, the LORD God demands family and societal responsibility. The last 6 commandments emphasize fundamental human values such as life, contentment, faithfulness, and truth.
Written by: Pastor Andrew A Esemudje