God's Ten Rules

After crossing the sea, the people traveled to a tall mountain called Sinai. God had something very important to give them.

God told Moses, 'Get the people ready. In three days, I'm coming down to the mountain!'

Everyone washed their clothes and waited.

On the third day—WOW! Thunder crashed! Lightning flashed! A thick cloud covered the mountain! A trumpet sound got louder and LOUDER! Smoke rose because God came down in FIRE! The whole mountain shook!

The people were scared! They stayed far away, trembling.

Then God spoke in a loud voice and gave ten special rules:

1. 'I am the Lord your God. Don't have any other gods.' 2. 'Don't make idols or worship statues.' 3. 'Don't use My name in a bad way.' 4. 'Remember the Sabbath—take one day to rest and worship.' 5. 'Honor your mom and dad.' 6. 'Don't murder.' 7. 'Husbands and wives must be faithful to each other.' 8. 'Don't steal.' 9. 'Don't lie.' 10. 'Don't wish you had other people's stuff.'

The first four rules are about loving GOD. The last six are about loving OTHER PEOPLE.

Moses went up the mountain and stayed for forty days! God wrote these rules on two flat stones with His own finger!

These rules weren't to make people unhappy. They were to help them live good, happy lives. When we follow God's rules, life works better!