Eight Commandment – No Stealing

Eight Commandment – No Stealing

Exodus 20:  ¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

 

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GOD told Moses and the children of Israel not to steal. This was HIS eighth commandment.

 

My Observations:

• GOD may have been addressing a mindset of stealing that was adopted from the Egyptians.
• GOD may have seen how powerful people steal to remain in power.
• GOD may have also been addressing the fact that the people may have ignored HIS provision

 

 

Being a god was important to the Egyptian Pharaoh. They would go to great lengths to obtain the status of a god and to keep it. One method they may have used was stealing from those who served them. During the plagues, all of the Egyptian animals were killed by GOD. The Egyptians may have used force to steal some of the living animals from the children of Israel.

 

This mindset was dangerous to the LORD. Thievery is a form of trying to be a god. The thought behind it is “I want what you have and I have decided to take it by force or by sneaky activity.”

 

Stealing reduces GOD’s power and provision. The thief may feel GOD’s timing or current provisions were inadequate. GOD provided manna, turned bitter water sweet and provided water from a rock. HE wants you and me to know HE is the provider. But when wee take matters in our own hands, we become thieves.

 

The result of getting more money or more food or a better living space may not be pleasing to GOD. Undercutting and devaluing may be a form of stealing that also surfaces from the Egyptian mindset. Over valuing a house or under paying for a car could be an example of adjacent thievery that is more complex.

 

GOD was addressing a mindset that keeps a person from asking for something. They take without giving and make decisions for how they treat the people around them as justification for their thievery.

 

GOD is the provider, but when we steal, HE no longer is viewed as the provider. Fortunately, GOD is merciful. JESUS was hung on the cross between two thieves. One thief gave a testimony about JESUS not deserving to be put to death. The thief was forgiven.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to not steal?
• Have you stolen something that should have been provided by GOD?
• Is GOD your provider?