The 10 Commandments of the Old Testament were one of the early gifts of God to the ancient Israelites, which became the moral basis for modern Catholic teachings, ethics, and values. Through his prophet Moses, God gave him the 10 commandments at Mt.Sinai, which he wrote on stone tablets. These commandments became the foundations of Christianity, guided by the codex of good conscience and God’s vision for humanity.
While understanding the 10 commandments, it is also important to understand its historical significance at the time it was written, especially the first commandment, which has various interpretations in Judaism and Christianity.
The origin of the 10 Commandments
According to the Book of Exodus, which first references the 10 commandments, God rescued the Israelites from Egypt through Moses by parting the Red Sea and guided them to the Promised Land, free from the slavery of the Pharaoh and a fertile land full of cultivations.
On their way to the promised land, Moses goes to Mt.Sinai, where he sees God. While Moses was praying with God and receiving the 10 commandments through him, the Israelites were demanding to pray to a God. During this time, it was important for a society to look towards a God for their identity, social status, and hierarchical nature. Aaron Moses’ brother was worried about the unrest from the Israelites and therefore decided to create a fake God by melting down gold and shaping it into a Calf.
While this calmed the unrest among them, it strictly violated the Commandments given by God to Moses. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai and saw the site of people worshipping the fake idol, i.e., the golden Calf, he got furious and broke down the tablets on which the 10 Commandments were written.
Moses was aware that worship of the idol was a strict violation of the first Commandment, which was “I am your Lord, your God, you shall have no other Gods before me.” His anger also stemmed from people praising the calf for rescuing them from the clutches of the Pharaoh.
interpretation of the 1st Commandment
The interpretations of Catholics of the 1st commandment are of a deep theological significance and a directive instead of a statement or a fact. It shifts the directive of society from the worship of multiple Gods or idols to a one true God. Therefore, it is often said that worshipping other Gods while being a Catholic is a sin.
This idea about one true God also drives the belief in faith, making it the early foundation of Catholicism. Faith in God is one of the cornerstones of being a Catholic, which holds profound significance of various parables in the Bible as well as the modern day
The modern-day interpretation
Rooted in the story of the Golden Calf and the call to worship of one God, the first commandment has been engraved into the hearts of millions of modern-day Catholics. Modern-day catholics have many challenges about devotion to God while being among people from different walks of life.
The challenge in modern day is the hunger for money and having a successful career, which many youth are struggling to find a balance between devotion to God and quenching their thirst for money.
The first commandment of “You shall have no other Gods before me” also refers to other forms of devotion in the form of money(modern-day evil) and career. Besides this, it also emphasizes establishing a personal relationship with God, the Almighty. Apart from this, many Christians also fall prey to superstitions rooted in the culture around them. However, the first commandment is clear in these instances, which is not to worship other Gods.
Importance of upholding the first commandment
As a Catholic, it is important to keep the first commandment inscribed in your heart in these times of trials and tribulations from the temptations of evil with power, money, and greed. Now, more than ever, it is important to stick to your beliefs and put your faith in God, for he is the creator and the ruler of the universe. There is only one God, and devoting your life to him will give you the fruits of the promised land.
