Exodus 20 Devotional: Reflecting on the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai

Scripture of the Day: Exodus 20:1-26

God spoke all these words, saying, “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let God speak with us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.” The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was. Yahweh said to Moses, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. You shall most certainly not make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves to be alongside me. You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you. If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. You shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.’

WEB

At Mount Sinai, God speaks directly to His people.

The thunder, lightning, and trembling mountain form a dramatic backdrop, yet the heart of this passage is not fear — it is relationship. God begins not with rules, but with reminder:

“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”

Before the commandments come identity. Before instruction comes rescue.

Exodus 20 is often reduced to a list — the Ten Commandments — but in context, it is a covenant moment.

God is forming a people.

The commandments are not random restrictions. They shape how Israel relates to:

God (no other gods, no idols, reverence for His name, Sabbath rest)

Family (honor father and mother)

Community (do not murder, steal, lie, covet)

They establish freedom with boundaries.

The people tremble at the sound of God’s voice. They step back. Moses steps forward. The scene captures something important: holiness is overwhelming. Yet God speaks so that they “won’t sin” — not to crush them, but to protect them.

The commandments reveal that love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable.

They are guardrails for flourishing.

When read devotionally, Exodus 20 becomes less about rule-keeping and more about heart alignment. What sits first in my life? What shapes my time? What drives my desires?

These questions remain as relevant today as they were at Sinai.

Which commandment stands out to you today, and why?

How does God’s introduction (“I am Yahweh your God…”) change the way you read the commands?

What might it look like to honor Sabbath rest in your current season?

Is there anything competing for first place in your heart?

How do these commands reflect God’s character?

Lord, You are the God who rescues before You command.
Thank You for speaking clearly and lovingly to Your people.
Help me see Your commandments not as burdens, but as guides toward life.
Search my heart and show me where I need alignment with You.
Teach me to love You first and love others faithfully.
Amen.

Choose one commandment to focus on this week. Write it down, reflect on it daily, and ask how it shapes your thoughts, words, and actions. Consider discussing it with your family or small group.

Today's Free Printable

Exodus 20 – The 10 Commandments Devotional Drawing

Exodus 20 – The 10 Commandments Devotional Drawing

How to use this printable

How to Use This Printable as Part of a Devotional

This page is designed to fit naturally into personal, family, or group devotional time.
Rather than simply reading the passage, this approach invites you to slow down and engage
with Scripture visually and reflectively.

1. Begin With Stillness

Before reading, take a quiet moment. You may wish to sit in silence for 30–60 seconds,
pray briefly for understanding, or ask God to help you notice something meaningful.
Devotional drawing works best when unhurried.

2. Read the Scripture Slowly

Read the passage listed at the top of the page. If possible, read it once silently, then
read it again aloud. Pause between readings.

  • Notice words or phrases that stand out
  • Pay attention to emotions in the scene
  • Watch for actions, reactions, or surprises

3. Observe the Starter Image

Look carefully at the simple illustration on the page. It captures only part of the moment.
Consider what might be happening just outside the frame and what details the passage includes
that are not shown.

4. Draw as Reflection

Begin drawing the rest of the scene. As you draw, let it become part of your meditation on the
Scripture. There is no correct interpretation—the act of drawing helps you linger with the text.

  • Draw the environment or setting
  • Add other people in the story
  • Show movement or stillness
  • Use light, distance, or atmosphere to express meaning

5. Pause and Reflect

When you finish drawing, take another moment to reflect. You may find it helpful to ask:

  • What did I notice that I might have missed otherwise?
  • How does this scene reveal God’s character?
  • What does this moment teach about trust, obedience, fear, or faith?
  • How might this apply to my life today?

You can journal, pray, discuss, or sit quietly.

6. Close With Prayer

End your devotional by responding in prayer. You might thank God for what you noticed, ask for
strength related to the passage, or reflect on how the scene connects to your current season.

Using This in Different Devotional Settings

Personal Quiet Time

Use one page alongside your daily Scripture reading and return to it later in the day.

Family Devotions

Read together, draw separately, then share what each person noticed (no correcting—everyone sees it differently).

Small Groups or Church

Allow quiet drawing time, then invite voluntary sharing and discussion.

A Gentle Reminder

This is not about artistic skill. It is about slowing down, paying attention, and creating space
for Scripture to settle more deeply. Even simple drawings can lead to meaningful insight.

Download the Printable and Begin Reflecting

Color This Printable Online

Launch the interactive coloring studio to draw, erase, undo, and export your artwork as PNG.

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