I am the Lord 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.
The Book of Exodus
I Am the Lord Your God
Topic: Truth, Law, & Principle
And God spoke all these words, saying,
“I am the Lord 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 yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
The Journey of a Visionary: A Life of Inspiration
Julius Caesar, a name that echoes throughout history, embodies the essence of ambition, leadership, and transformative vision. His journey from a young nobleman to a pivotal figure in the Roman Empire serves as an inspiring tale of resilience and ingenuity. Caesar’s life was marked by remarkable achievements in military conquest, political reform, and cultural advancement, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of history. His relentless pursuit of greatness and unwavering determination to reshape Rome into a powerful entity offers valuable lessons for anyone striving to make a difference in the world.
Early Life
Born on July 12, 100 BC, into the patrician family of the Julii, Julius Caesar’s early life was steeped in the privilege and expectations of Roman nobility. Despite these advantages, he faced early challenges, including political instability and the rise of populism in Roman society. Educated in rhetoric and philosophy, he cultivated an astute intellect that would later aid him in navigating the complexities of Roman politics. His early experiences, coupled with his association with influential figures like Gaius Marius, ignited a passion for reform and governance, setting the stage for a life dedicated to both military and political excellence.
Teachings
Caesar’s teachings are not formally documented as traditional philosophical doctrines, yet his actions and leadership style impart profound lessons on governance and perseverance. He exemplified the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking, consistently demonstrating that success in both war and politics requires insight, vision, and the ability to inspire others. His famous phrase, "Veni, Vidi, Vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered), encapsulates his approach to challenges—swift, decisive, and effective. Furthermore, his advocacy for the Julian Calendar and reforms that improved the lives of ordinary citizens showcase a leader who prioritized progress and inclusivity, reminding us that true leadership is about serving the greater good.
Death
The assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March in 44 BC marked a tragic end to a visionary life but also ignited a powerful legacy that would resonate for centuries. Betrayed by those he deemed friends, Caesar’s death not only highlighted the volatile nature of political power but also underscored the risks inherent in challenging the status quo. His martyrdom galvanized a movement that eventually led to the rise of the Roman Empire, symbolizing that even in death, a visionary’s impact can transcend time. Caesar’s life and untimely demise serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for progress and the enduring spirit of those who dare to dream big.
The Book of Exodus
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 110 [Exodus 20.1-17: The Ten Commandments]
Theme: Eternal Truth
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The Decalogue
The moral outlooks of most religions are basically quite similar. Just as the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, is the
basis of Jewish and Christian ethical values, similar lists of ethical principles may be found in one form or another in the
scriptures of most religions. The Qur’an contains several passages summarizing proper ethical behavior which have been
called Islamic Decalogues. In Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism we find lists of ten charges or ten precepts for monks
and lay people, and there are further condensations into five universal dharmas called samanya dharma. Another
comparable list is found in the Buddhist Eightfold Path.
The first table of the Decalogue contains positive injunctions for right worship to establish a proper vertical relationship
with God, and the second table contains negative injunctions prohibiting criminal behavior in order to foster horizontal
relationships of community. These two ethical dimensions, the vertical towards the Absolute and the horizontal towards
one’s neighbor, are characteristic of such lists in every religi on. We may regard the injunctions to renunciation and
meditation in the Buddhist Eightfold Path and in other Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain lists of dharmas as non-theistic
expressions of the vertical dimension. In the horizontal dimension of law, prohibitions against social crimes such as
murder, adultery, and stealing are universal.
Exodus 20.1-17
Exodus 20.1-17: These are the Ten Commandments. There is some variation as to how they should be divided. In the
Jewish tradition the verse ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage’ is
regarded as the first commandment, but Christians regard it as a prologue. Most Protestants and Eastern Orthodox
Christians reckon ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ as the first commandment and the prohibition of images as
the second commandment. For Jews the second commandment includes both ‘You shall have no other gods’ and the
prohibition of graven images. Lutherans and Roman Catholics likewise regard ‘You shall have no other gods’ and the
prohibition of graven images as together constituting a single commandment, but reckon it the first commandment; they
then divide the verse against covetousness into two commandments to make up the ten.