Exodus 20:17 You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:17 You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully[1]
Reading: Psalm 37:1-40; Proverbs 2:1-5; Proverbs 6:20-35; James 1;13-15

I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love. Psalm 119:47 NASB

The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.  Psalm 119:72 NASB
I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law is my delight.   Psalm 119:174 NASB
​
I. Do Not Covet Unlawfully.
  A. Covet: Deed cannot be separated from disposition [2]. (Mt. 15:19)
    1. Heb. “khaw-mad”: delight in, desire, lust
    2. Grk. “ep-ee-thoo-meh-o”: set the heart upon, desires, lust
    3. The prohibition is desiring what is unlawful.
      1a. Things which belong to another (v15, 17)
      2a. Things which God has prohibited
        1b. There is proper coveting (Ps. 19:7-10; Prov. 5:15-19).
    4. The same as idolatry (Ex. 20:4-6; Col. 3:5)
    5. Evil (Mic. 2:1, 2)
II. Implication: Do Not Desire What is Forbidden (Gen. 3:6).
  A. Set your heart upon what is good (Ps. 34:8). This is the heart of worship.
    1. Trust (depend) upon the Lord (Ps. 37:3)
      1a. Do the right thing.
      2a. Dwell (lodge)[3] in the land (God’s presence)[4]
      3a. Cultivate (shepherd) faithfulness (faith)
    2. Delight yourself in the Lord (Ps. 37:4).   
    3. Commit (trust) your way (course of life) to the Lord (Ps. 37:5).
    4. Rest (forebear, be still) in the Lord (Ps. 37:7).
      1a. Wait (endure, travail) patiently.
    5. Cease (forsake) from anger,  (Ps. 37:8).
      1a. Do not fret (be angry or jealous).



[1] March 16, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Keil, 1891)
[3] (Jamieson, 1871)
[4] (Perowne, 1921)