Written in Stone
In our quest to “yada’ – know” Yahowah and “byn – understand” what He is offering and expecting in return, let’s consider the Three Statements and Seven Instructions He chiseled in stone. On the First of Two Tablets, God summarized His message to humankind. On the Second Tablet, He explained how to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. There were no “commandments” listed on either Tablet…
“I am (‘anky) Yahowah (YaHoWaH), your God (‘elohym ‘atah) who, for the benefit of the relationship (‘asher), brought you out and delivered you (yatsa’ ‘atah) away from the realm (min ‘erets) of the Crucibles of Religious and Political Oppression (Mitsraym), out of the house (min beyth) of slavery (‘ebed). You will not continue to exist with (lo’ hayah la ‘atah) other (‘acher) gods (‘elohym) over and above (‘al) My presence (paneh ‘any).
You should not continue to associate yourself with or engage on behalf of (lo’ ‘asah la ‘atah) a religious image or object of worship (pesel), or any visual representation of something (wa kol tamunah) which is in the heavens above (‘asher be ha shamaym min ma’al)…
You should not speak about them or make a practice of bowing down and worshiping them (lo’ chawah la hem), and you shall not serve them or compel anyone to be passionate about them (wa lo’ ‘abad hem). For, indeed (ky), I (‘anky), Yahowah (YaHoWaH), your God (‘elohy ‘atah), am a fiercely protective, steadfastly loyal, and jealous God (qana’ ‘el), actually counting (paqad) the perversity of the delusions which distort and manipulate (‘awon) of the fathers (‘aby) upon the children (‘al ben) to the third and the fourth generations (‘al silesym wa ‘al ribea’) of those who shun Me (sane’ ‘any).
However (wa), I will act to provide (‘asah) unfailing mercy, unearned favor, and genuine forgiveness (chesed) on behalf of (la’ – to enable the approach of) thousands (‘elephym) who move toward Me in love (la ‘ahab ‘any) and who approach Me by closely examining and carefully considering (wa la shamar) the instructive terms of My relationship agreement (mitswah ‘any).” (Shemowth / Names / Exodus 20:2-6)