A Sabbath Message 6/11/22 – The First Commandment

The First Commandment

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first (G4413) commandment (G1785) of all (3956)? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well (G2573), Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly (G3562), he said unto him, Thou art not far (G3112) from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst (G5111 – dare) ask him any question.” (Mark 12:28-34)

*G4413 – πρῶτος – foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
Derivation: contracted superlative of G4253; KJV Usage: before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of all), former.

*G1785 – ἐντολή – injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. Derivation: from G1781; KJV Usage: commandment, precept.

*G956 – πᾶς – all, any, every, the whole. Derivation: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; KJV Usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

*G2573 – καλῶς – well (usually morally) Derivation: adverb from G2570; KJV Usage: (in a) good (place), honestly, + recover, (full) well.

*G3562 – νουνεχῶς – in a mind-having way, i.e. prudently. Derivation: adverb from a comparative of the accusative case of G3563 and G2192; KJV Usage: discreetly. {“1 Wise in avoiding errors or in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose. 2 Judiciour; prudent; careful, See synonyms ubder POLITIC.” Funk & Wagnalls Standard English Dictionary of the English Language, International Edition – 1974}

*G3112 – μακράν – at a distance (literally or figuratively) Derivation: feminine accusative case singular of G3117 (G3598 being implied); KJV Usage: (a-)far (off), good (great) way off.

*G5111 – τολμάω – probably itself from the base of G5056 through the idea of extreme conduct); to venture (objectively or in act; while G2292 is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous. Derivation: from τόλμα (boldness; KJV Usage: be bold, boldly, dare, durst.

Was Jesus asked a question by a scribe in “a mind-having way“? The scribe did ask: “What is the first commandment of all?” Was it snobbish?

Notice how Jesus answered! Love is the common factor in both of these “two greatest commandments”. The first of which was unto God and the stated four elements in which to do so; heart, soul, mind and strength, parallels with the first four of the ten commandments. Interesting?

Jesus said the second was: “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. This statement included the other six which was how we were to love others, including our parents!

Also, notice in the ten commandments, two are to do something while the other eight are “Thou shalt not…”. One is the fourth and of the first four of ten in giving reverence to God, which is “Remember the sabbath and to keep it holy”. How much strength does it take to rest? That is the fourth element in the first of the greatest. The other (fifth and foremost of the other six) is like unto it! “Honor thy father and mother.”

Yep! Not only do I think the scribe was being snobbish, I think Jesus also
thought so. How did Jesus reply? “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” No one dared ask Jesus a question after that! Jesus continued to teach the people after that.

“And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? ³⁶ For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. ³⁷ David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. ³⁸ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, ³⁹ And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: ⁴⁰ Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. (Mark 12:35-40)

I know the scribe was a snob, for the question he asked was a trick question! Jesus outwitted him by summarizing the ten commandments into two categories of love; the first towards God and the second towards each other. Pretty much the same thing with the scribes and Pharisees in John 8:1-11)

When it comes to the ten commandments, trying one’s upmost in keeping then all is proof that we love the Lord and each other. (John 14:15) Are they all that much of a burden? (Matt. 11:30)

Yawl have a restful sabbath.

LOLG+