The Ten Commandments. God’s Instruction Manual for LifeSample

God has the authority to give us instruction

The Bible presupposes that God has the authority to tell people what to do. But several stories record how this claim is disputed, for example by Pharaoh. When Moses and Aaron told him “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go…’”, he was not impressed. He bluntly asked them, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice...?” The next 9 chapters of the book of Exodus make very clear who the Lord is and how He defeated Pharaoh.

But even the people of Israel, who had seen how God saved them from slavery and guided them during their desert journey, tended to ignore his instructions. Their leader Moses called them “foolish and senseless people” and asked: “Is not He your father, who created you, who made you and established you?” (Deuteronomy 32:6) 

This basic question applies to all of us. God has created us, and therefore He has the right to tell us what to do (or not to do). He has all authority in heaven and on earth. Moreover, He is absolutely good and absolutely wise. Turning a deaf ear to his instruction is “foolish and senseless” indeed!