LESSON VII

Questions to Lesson 7^{*—What are the ten commandments? What would be the case if all lived by these rules? In how many ways can we sin? Are there, only ten wrong actions? How many? What is meant then by ten? To explain this, what is taken? When we say oak, what do we mean? To apply this figure to the law, which commandment is taken? What does it say? Are there more ways than one in which we can take property wrongfully? What can you say of the other commandments? What does the Psalmist say of them? There are many classes of trees, and many varieties in a class, but what word expresses every kind? What word expresses all our duties? If we love God and our neighbor as we ought, what is evident? What says Paul in Romans 13:10?}

The ten commandments are ten rules of action by which it is our duty to live. If all men lived by these rules, all would do right and all would be happy. God has taught us, by these ten laws, that there are ten ways in which we may sin against him. Perhaps you inquire, Are there only ten ways in which we can sin! Yes, there are a great variety of wrong actions, and affections, but there are ten classes or kinds of them.BIC 16.1

To explain it, we will take ten classes or kinds of trees; as oak, ash, pine, elm, etc. In each class there are a number of varieties, as white oak, red oak, yellow oak, black oak, etc., white ash, black ash, yellow ash, etc; some classes having a greater, and some a less number of varieties. Now if you are forbidden to cut down an oak in the forest, you know that all kinds of oak are meant; and so of every class of trees.BIC 17.1

To apply this to the law of God, we will take the eighth commandment which says, Thou shalt not steal. This means that we must not take our neighbor’s property wrongfully; and there are many ways in which we can do this. If I sell a quantity of wheat by the bushel, and take a measure that I know is a little too small and measure it by that, and my neighbor pays me the money agreed upon, perhaps you would say that I had not stolen his wheat or his money; but have I not violated the great principle of right which God has given to guard our property? Have I not taken that which belongs to my neighbor? We might mention many cases like this, and show a great many ways of breaking this commandment; and also show how the other commandments may be broken in many ways, but enough has been said to give you an idea of much more that might be said, proving that the Psalmist was right when he said, Thy commandment is exceeding broad. Psalm 119:96.BIC 17.2

We have been talking about trees, and have seen that ten classes may include a great variety of trees; and now we say that one word will express all sorts. That word is, tree. So the law of God forbids every wrong action, and teaches every duty in ten precepts; and these duties may all be expressed in one word, and that is, love. For if we love God with all our hearts, and our neighbor as ourselves, it is evident that we should keep all the commandments. Thus we see the meaning of Paul when he says, Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10.BIC 18.1