The Ten Commandments, and the Law in general, is hard for many Christians to wrap their head around. For one thing, the Law is a massive set of rules and regulations. Some of the Law has to do with stuff like what to do with a bull who gores someone. It’s kinda weird to find stuff like that in holy scripture.According to one commentary, the ten commandments we see in Exodus 20:1-20 is “the most basic statement possible of the conditions on which Israel may be in relationship with YHWH.”I think that understanding is helpful, and it will keep us from falling into a ditch. You see, in some circles, Christians regard the Law as nothing more than customs and superstitions from a bygone era. In this view, the Law has nothing to do with God. In other circles, Christians are convinced that when Jesus said, “It is finished,” as he was perishing on the cross, what he meant was that the Law was finished. Up to that moment, the Law was binding on everyone and its sole purpose was to show people how terrible they were. Both views, I think, are mistaken. Jesus, clearly, was deeply committed to the Law, even as he violated aspects of it at times. He regarded himself and his ministry as fulfilling the Law, not negating it. He told his disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the authorities. An attitude of lawlessness and “do what you feel man…” was not part of his ministry. He was a morally serious person and the Law was meaningful to him. So, let’s take a look at the Law in the Old Testament, and let’s talk about what it means to have rules and boundaries in general and why they are important.