if you follow the ten commandments, what do you get?
this question was answered when king david transferred power to then king solomon. in the transition, king david told then king solomon to “keep the charge of the lord your god, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.” kings 2:1
while david possessed military and poetic prowess, his son, solomon, had wisdom. solomon is synonymous with the term wisdom as albert einstein is to the term genius. the famous term “splitting the baby” which still is used within the legal community, relates to solomon’s famous judgment used to determine a child’s true mother.
solomon wrote the book of proverbs. in there, he wrote: “my son, forget not my instruction, and may your heart keep my commandments; for they shall add length of days and years of life and peace to you. kindness and truth shall not leave you; bind them upon your neck, inscribe them upon the tablet of your heart; and find favor and good understanding in the sight of god and man.” proverbs 3:1
thus, the payout from ten commandments’ observance is a long peaceful life. you will live a life in which you will be free to be kind to others. you will live a life in which you will not have to be deceitful.
the notion of a “peaceful” life is lost upon the youth. both parenting and working makes one appreciative of “peaceful” existence. a household free of conflict and worry is both a blessing and a comfort. life’s moments removed from conflict and worry are special. personal time for decompression and relaxation is treasured.
a notion of “long life” is also lost upon the youth. as we get to the end of our lives, the opportunities to accomplish and experience are more limited and more valued. as we age, time becomes more precious and sacred. the things to do, the places to see.
while the ten commandments is religiously based, even those not religious can get behind the ten commandments’ payoff.
be well!!
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