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break—do not kill and do not steal. Others we break when it seems harmless to do so—remember the sabbath and do not covet, for example. One seems not to apply to us at all—do not make an idol. Most of us give little thought to the ethical principles behind them.

      Why did the Israelites and their religious descendents, which include us, need the Ten Commandments? The simple answer is to keep us from hurting and killing each other. Although there are more complex answers than this one, answers explaining the history and self-understandings of the Hebrew people and their relationship to God, in this brief space, we'll consider a highly condensed answer. God, the Creator and Lover of creation, wants us to live in love, wholeness, and freedom. The specific example of God's love in the Exodus story is that God has delivered the people Israel from slavery in Egypt and has made covenant with them. The boundaries that protect and empower the Hebrew people, who were chosen to serve God and carry out God's dream for the beloved creation, are expressed in the Ten Commandments.

      Reflect

      Which of the commandments concern doing no harm? In each, what kind of harm is prohibited? Who is being protected from harm? Do any of these commandments also protect the one who might do harm? If so, how?

      Ultimate Loyalty

      Central to understanding all of the Ten Commandments are the first two—which paradoxically seem to be the ones that do not directly say "do no harm." The first one, with preface, is key to all the others: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:2-3). This is the declaration that God has acted out of love to give life and freedom to God's people. Their ultimate loyalty is to God alone. If they give their ultimate loyalty to someone or something else, they will do harm—to themselves and to others. The second commandment against idolatry flows from the first and basically reiterates it. We are to worship God and God alone, not things, not other people, not institutions, not governments, not our own power, and not our talents and ambitions. In other words, God comes first. Although in our time, we don't routinely see statues of gods in our towns, we do have the tendency to make gods of many things. The things we value most may function as our "gods." Sometimes it's been said that if we follow the first two commandments we're not as likely to break the other ones. If our highest loyalty is to God, then we will love what God loves, and that is the foundation of living so as to do no harm.

      Reflect

      What are your ultimate loyalties? What might your checkbook or credit card statement tell you about what you value most? To what goals do you give your greatest efforts? What does your lifestyle tell you and other people about your values? Are your ultimate loyalties doing harm to what God loves: the earth and all of creation, including human creatures?

      CLOSING–A GUIDE FOR DAILY PRAYER

      Welcoming God's Presence

      Gracious God, open our eyes to love what you love so that we will do no harm.

      Uphold and guide us during this season of Lent as we seek to follow your commandments and abide in your ways. Amen.

      Scripture

      "The law of the LORD is perfect,

      reviving the soul;

      the decrees of the LORD are sure,

      making wise the simple;

      the precepts of the LORD are right,

      rejoicing the heart; . . .

      But who can detect their errors?

      Clear me from hidden faults.

      Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

      do not let them have dominion over me."

      — Psalm 19:7-8, 12-13a

      Meditation

      Reflect on Psalm 19:7-8, 12-13a in terms of the admonition to do no harm. Write down your insights from this reflection:

      Conclude with

      "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

      be acceptable in your sight,

      O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

      — Psalm 19:14

      Prayer

      Pray for seeing the potential for harm and for forgiveness for harm done. Intercede for those who have suffered harm, and pray for strength and wisdom to do no harm.

      Blessing

      "In returning and rest you shall be saved;

      in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."

      — Isaiah 30:15b

      ––––––––––––––––––––

      ¹ See this list in "The Nature, Design, and General Rules of Our United Societies," ¶ 103 in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (The United Methodist Publishing House, 2004); p. 73.

      ² Sondra Wheeler, "John Wesley and 'Social Ethics,' " From the website of The Project on Lived Theology at the University of Virginia; www.livedtheology.org/pdfs.

      ³John Wesley, Sermon 87, "The Danger of Riches," (text from the 1872 edition – Thomas Jackson, ed.). From website of The United Methodist Church; http://new.gbgmumc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/.

      ⁴ Sondra Wheeler, "Wielding the Sword: John Wesley's Biblical Hermeneutics on Wealth"; http://www.oxford-institute.org/meetings/2007/grouppapers.html.

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