Question 75: What is forbidden in the Eighth Commandment?

Answer: The Eighth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbour's wealth or outward estate.

Dear neighbor,

The Lord God sees all and knows all. It is therefore prudent for a follower of Jesus Christ to be concerned, not for ones needs only but the needs of other people also. 

Yesterday, Darlene and I were traveling and we stopped at a certain place to eat lunch. A man whom we do not know came up to us in the parking lot asking money for some ministry. He claimed to be a follower of Jesus Christ but the man spoke so fast and his only concern was getting what he called donations. I did not give him any money because I did not believe it wise. It is prudent that a follower of Jesus Christ should not do anything that hinders our own wealth. I work very hard taking care of my neighbor in the intensive care unit. It is my job which God gave to me me that I may provide for my own needs and the needs of my household. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:8) I shall not do anything that unjustly hinders my own wealth and this is not to say that one should not give to those who have real needs but to be prudent with the wealth that God has entrusted to us.

Thieves come in many disguises and some thieves even use the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul said that thieves and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. (cf. 1 Cor. 9-10) A swindler is someone who tricks people out of their wealth. Many swindlers pray on the poor and the ignorant and also on the heart. Job 24:2-4, says:

“Some remove the landmarks;

They seize and devour flocks.

“They drive away the donkeys of the orphans;

They take the widow’s ox for a pledge.

“They push the needy aside from the road;

The poor of the land are made to hide themselves altogether.

Stealing has been defined by some as taking what does not belong to you without the permission of the owner but that does not give a good enough definition in my opinion because swindlers trick people into willing giving away their wealth. Steeling always hurts other people, no matter how it is done, and makes a person feel violated.

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Question 74: What is required in the Eighth Commandment?

Answer: The Eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

Dear Neighbor,

The Lord Jesus Christ said to love God with your whole self and love your neighbor as yourself (cf. Mt. 22:37-39) The apostle paul wrote in Romans 13:8-10, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

The commandment requires the hearer to actively seek the best for ourselves and our neighbor. And one should not seek the best for themselves at the expense of his neighbor. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phi. 2:3-4)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Question 73: Which is the Eighth Commandment?

Answer: The Eighth Commandment is, "thou shalt not steal."

Dear Neighbor,

The Eight Commandment was first spoken to Israel, by the mouth of God from heaven, at Mount Sinai in the desert, also called Horeb, and written for us in Exodus 20:15. 

The Eight Commandment was repeated by Moses in the land of Moab during a sermon that Moses delivered to Israel before his death, and before Israel crossed the Jordan river into the land of Canaan. There Moses expounded the law of God to Israel. Therefore, the Eighth Commandment is recorded for our reading a second time in Deuteronomy 5:19. Deuteronomy means second law, but it is not a second law, it is an expounding of the law for the children of the descendants of Israel, who were saved by God from slavery in Egypt. 

The next two questions explain what is required and what is forbidden in the eight commandment. I shall explore how the commandment should be understood in the lives of Christ followers today.

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Lord’s Day: June 27, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Each of us suffer in some way and some suffer greater than others. Sin, suffering and death seemingly rule the lives of believers and unbelievers alike; for no man is without sin, without suffering and all die. Some sin more than others but all sin, some suffer more than other but all suffer, and everyone dies.

The difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and an unbeliever is hope. The apostle Paul wrote: “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Rom. 8:24)

The believer waits eagerly for the redemption of our bodies, which is our adoption as sons. The believer is spiritually redeemed but not yet physically redeemed. We have been given the first fruits of the Spirit but we groan within ourselves, waiting for the redemption of our bodies. (Rom. 8:23)

The Christian hope is not a platonic disembodied existence floating on the clouds, but a real bodily resurrection from the dead, heaven on earth, where their is no sin, suffering, or death. All of creation groans and suffers until now. The sons of God and all of creation will be set free from the corruption of sin. (Rom 8:19-22)

It is in this that the Christian has hope in Jesus Christ. The hope of the redemption of our bodies. It is for heaven on earth in Jesus Christ does the Christian have hope.

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Question 72: What is forbidden in the Seventh Commandment?

Answer: The Seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.

Dear Neighbor,

Temptation comes from three sources: Satan, the world and the flesh. Temptation is being carried away and enticed by ones own lust. (Jam. 1:14) Lust is threefold: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. (1 Jn. 2:16) When lust has been conceived in a persons heart, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (Jam. 1:15) 

The apostle Paul wrote to flee immorality. (1 Co. 1:18) For this reason, Jesus said, when speaking about adultery in the heart: “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Mt. 5:29-30)

A believer cannot take themself out of the world but can limit what their eyes see and ears hear, thereby limiting temptation and being enticed by ones own lust. Do not give into temptation and do not resist temptation but ignore it; to resist temptation causes one to dwell on it which may give birth to lust. 

No unchaste thought, word or action comes from God, for God does not tempt anyone. All temptation comes from three sources: Satan, the world and the flesh. Flee immorality because it brings forth death.

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Question 71: What is required in the Seventh Commandment?

Answer: The Seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chasity, in heart, speech, and behaviour.

Dear Neighbor,

The seventh commandment goes beyond the physical act of intercourse. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt. 5:27-28) 

Jesus was speaking to men whose society was patriarchal but his words are applicable to women as well. It is not enough to maintain physical purity. One must be perfect in every thought, word and deed. Jesus said, “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48)

God created man and woman as unique biological persons designed to complete one other. In the beginning God instituted marriage between one male and one female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, human beings should not alter or negate what God created, designed and instituted. (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9)

There is forgiveness of sin for all who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus sent the apostle Paul to the Gentiles, a people guilty of all kinds of sexual immorality, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, from the rule of Satan to God, that they may be forgiven, and have eternal life, sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 26:17-18)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Question 70: Which is the Seventh Commandment?

Question 70: Which is the Seventh Commandment?

Answer: The Seventh Commandment is, "thou shalt not commit adultery.”

Dear Neighbor,

The commandment was first spoken by God, to Israel at Mount Sinai in the dessert. Exodus 20:14

You shall not commit adultery.

And was repeated by Moses in the second law, Deuteronomy 5:18

You shall not commit adultery.

However, its roots, like all the law are from the beginning. Jesus went to the first two chapters of Genesis when discussing marriage. 

God created man and woman as unique biological persons designed to complete one other. In the beginning God instituted marriage between one male and one female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, human beings should not alter or negate what God created, designed and instituted. (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake