Deuteronomy 5:7 You shall have none other gods before me. I. WE ARE OBLIGED TO KNOW GOD. This supposes that our understanding is rightly informed as to what relates to the Divine perfections, which are displayed in the works of creation and providence. But that knowledge which we are to endeavour to attain, who have a brighter manifestation of His perfections in the Gospel, is of a far more excellent and superior nature; inasmuch as herein we see the glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; or behold the perfections of the Divine nature, as displayed in and through a Mediator; which is that knowledge which is absolutely necessary to salvation (John 17:3). By this means we not only know what God is, but our interest in Him, and the foundation which we have of our being accepted in His sight. II. We are further commanded TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR MAKE A VISIBLE PROFESSION OF OUR SUBJECTION TO GOD AND IN PARTICULAR TO CHRIST AS OUR GREAT MEDIATOR. His name, interest, and glory should be most dear to us; and we are, on all occasions, to testify that we count it our glory to be His servants, and to make it appear that He is the supreme subject of desire and delight (Psalm 142:5; Psalm 73:25). III. We are further obliged by this commandment TO WORSHIP AND GLORIFY GOD, PURSUANT TO WHAT WE KNOW, AND THE PROFESSION WE MAKE OF HIM AS THE TRUE GOD AND OUR GOD. 1. We must make God the subject of our daily meditation. 2. We are to honour, adore, and fear Him for His greatness. 3. As God is the best good, and has promised that He will be a God to us, so He is to be desired, loved, rejoiced in, and chosen by us. 4. As He is a God of truth, we are to believe all that He has spoken, and in particular what He has revealed in His promises or threatenings, relating to mercies which He will bestow, or judgments which He will inflict. 5. He is able to save to the utmost, and faithful in fulfilling all His promises, we are to trust Him with all we have from Him, and for all those blessings which we hope to receive at His hands. 6. When the name, interest, and glory of God is opposed in the world we are to express an holy zeal for it. 7. Since He is a God hearing prayer, we are daily to call upon Him, "O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come." 8. As He is the God of all our mercies, we are to praise Him for them. 9. His sovereignty and dominion over us calls for subjection and obedience, and a constant care to please Him, and approve ourselves to Him in all things. 10. As He is a holy, jealous, and sin-hating God, we are to be filled with sorrow of heart when He is offended, either by ourselves or others. 11. A sense of our unworthiness and daily infirmities should excite us to walk humbly with God. (Thomas Ridglet, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt have none other gods before me. |
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