Jul 17, 2016
Because the Israelites lived in poverty at the bottom of Egyptian society as slaves, their desire for better things was huge. However, they were not to have a jealous desire (resentment against a person instead of happiness for them) for someone else’s home, spouse, servants/employees (indicating significant wealth), working animals (which were implements of making and maintaining wealth), or for anything else belonging to another. Coveting (Heb. khaw-mad, ‘to take delight in’) someone else’s resources revealed pride, jealousy, idolatry, lust, and thanklessness to God. The last command was a ‘catch-all’ for where most violations of the previous nine commandments (not honoring the true God, making a version of God to control, profaning God’s name, working without resting to worship, dishonoring parents, murdering, adultery, stealing, lying for gain) come from—a selfish, undisciplined heart.