Hating the Ten Commandments? This post is for you. Louisiana’s Ten Commandments’ law has brought out much criticism for the thought of allowing a religious document into public schools. This post makes the case, on a totally non-religious basis, as to why the Ten Commandments has much secular value. In fact, we don’t even need to look at the Ten Commandments to prove it.
As important is the language of the Ten Commandments, the events surrounding the Ten Commandments is a civic’s lesson which you would certainly agree upon.
The People Who Are To Receive Law
In the case of the Ten Commandments, the Law was received by both the Children of Israel and also a great mixture of people who had gone up with them. Exodus 12:38. According to the commentator Rashi, this included proselytes. In essense, a group of free people which included an extended family and individuals who wished to be part of their group were united to be part of a nation. All of them, were to participate in the receipt of the laws. Given the Exodus took place in Egypt, there group was likely multi-racial. Moses second wife was from Cush.
The Administration of Justice
Prior to the deliver of the Ten Commandments, Moses, was given advice from his Midian father-in-law- Jethro. He was told to “enlighten them [proposed judges] with the laws and instructions, and you make known to them the way they’ll go and the thing that they’ll do. And you will envision, out of the people, worthy men, [who fear God], men of truth, who hate bribery, and you’ll set up chiefs of thousands, chiefs of hundreds, chiefs of fifties, and chiefs of ten over them. And they’ll judge the people at all times. And it will be, they’ll bring every matter that is big to you, and they will judge every matter that is small.” Exodus 18:19-22.
Thus, Jethro’s brilliance laid out the notion of the qualifications for the judiciary as well as how it was to be organized. These concepts still apply today, i.e. was have the notion of a “Supreme ” courts and “Small” claims courts. The proof of this impact can be seen that the United States Supreme Court. Moses image is present on the south courtroom frieze as he is acknowledged as one of the great lawgivers in history.
Democracy & The Government’s Responsibility For Educating Its Populace of the Law
Moses presented the laws to the people’s elders. It was reported: “and all the people’s responded together, “we will do everything…” Exodus 19:7-8. Thus, prior to the Ten Commandments, there was education about the law that the people were to receive and there was the notion of concensus; the society was willing to accept the proposed laws. While this was not an election of a leader, arguably, the population voted unanimously to adopt the law.
The tradition of the public announcement of law continued. In the reign of King Josiah, the retelling of the laws were done before an audience which was “all of the people from the least to the greatest.” 2 Kings 23:2.
This again occurred during the time of of Ezra. The laws were once again delivered at a time when “all of the people came together as one.” Nehemiah 8:1. There, the law was read in the presence of men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:3
At the reading, there were individuals present who instructed people in the Law. These individiduals read from the Book of the Law [of God], making it clear and giving meaning so that the people understood what was being read.” Nehemiah 8:7-8.
Thus, the Ten Commandments also represents the notion of that Law should not only be known to all, but it should also be understood.
Conclusion
As one can see, the Ten Commandments has played a significant role in how Western Civilization functions. The Commandments were about mixture of free individuals accepting a body of laws. The Ten Commandments required that the leadership of the nation train a judiciary to administer the laws and choose people of moral integrity to do so. The nation also was to be one upon which the population who not only were aware of the law but were also educated concerning it.
In sum, the Commandments offer much secular educational value. The crafting of proper lesson plans is the key to avoid the theological aspects.
Be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 