Why did God Give Us the 10 Commandments?

The Ten Commandments are not merely “rules” that we must follow to appease God and make it to heaven. I think some people tend to interpret the Commandments as legalistic, but that mindset limits God and his love for us. Rather than rules and regulations, the Ten Commandments are a great gift that help us to live free of sin by loving God and neighbor.

The Commandments must be understood as part of the covenantal relationship, a solemn oath, between God and his people. For example, it is only after God shows his love for Israel by freeing them from the Egyptians, that he presents Moses the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

“The Commandments …express the implications of belonging to God through the establishment of the covenant. Moral existence is a response to the Lord’s loving initiative. It is the acknowledgement and homage given to God and a worship of thanksgiving. It is cooperation with the plan God pursues in history,” (2062).

With the Commandments, God provides a guide on how to reciprocate his love and remain in right relationship with him; he is teaching his people how to respond (with joy) to him and how to love him. The joy comes from knowing God has welcomed us into a sacred covenant with him. So, the Ten Commandments are a gift and not a set of rules. But if we want to love God as we ought, we are obligated to follow the Commandments.

Within the Ten Commandments the truth about ourselves and about God is contained. Living a moral life is liberating and the Commandments explain how to live in such freedom.

“The gift of the Commandments is the gift of God himself and his holy will. In making his will known, God reveals himself to his people,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2059).