Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 2

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. In our day, when people who identify themselves as Christians are so sensitive to any accusation of legalism that they tend to swing all the way out to antinomianism (that is lawlessness), it is perhaps now more than ever that we ought to prayerfully re-examine the Ten Commandments – and few do it better than Arthur Pink (1886 - 1952). I found this article to be very convicting as I first worked through it. And, lest we think we the church are not in need of this labour, let us be reminded that those whom Jesus will reject on the last Day even though they did many mighty works in his name, were accused by our Lord of not just having no intimate relationship with him (‘I never knew you’), but also that they were accused as workers of lawlessness by our Lord. The Law of God does not save, nor does it keep one saved – none the less we are called to obedience to it who are saved – but enough of me – here is Arthur Pink…

"First let us consider their (the Ten Commandments) promulgation. The manner in which the Decalogue was formally delivered to Israel was very awe-inspiring, yet replete with valuable instruction for us. First the people were commanded to spend two days in preparing themselves, by a ceremonial cleansing from all external pollution, before they were ready to stand in the presence of God (Ex. 19:10, 11). This teaches us that serious preparation of heart and mind must be made before we come to wait before God in His ordinances and receive a word at His mouth; and that if Israel must sanctify themselves in order to appear before God at Sinai, how much more must we sanctify ourselves that we may be meet to appear before God in Heaven. Next, the mount on which God appeared was to be fenced, with a strict prohibition that none should presume to approach the holy mount (19:12, 13). This teaches us that God is infinitely superior to us and due our utmost reverence, and intimates the strictness of His Law."

1) Considering the external preparation of Israel to recieve the Word of God - are we, even though no longer under the law, too frivolous, too quick to approach the Word without any preparation (prayer, waiting, confession, quieting and focussing)? Do we rush in so that the task is quickly accomplished? Can you think of other instances in scripture where people waited and prepared their hearts for God's revelation?

2) There is a strange balance that must be maintained - on the one hand we must draw near to the Father with confidence and trust as our Abba Father - as His children, but on the other hand we must fear and respect him. Are we too familiar, too blase, too presumptuous? How does our attitude in worship, in time of prayer and in study compare to the examples of people in scripture?

3) Theologian and teacher, RC Sproul when asked what he thought was the biggest problem in the church today, answered: "we do not know who God is and we do not know who we are". What do you think he means?

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