John Calvin Commentary Exodus 20:1

"And God spake all these words, saying," — Exodus 20:1 (ASV)

And God spoke. I am aware that many agree in reading this verse and the next in connection with each other, thus making them together the first of the Ten Commandments. Others, taking them separately, consider this affirmation to stand in place of one entire commandment.

However, since God neither forbids nor commands anything here, but only comes forth before them in His dignity to devote the people to Himself and to claim the authority He deserves—an authority He would also have extended to the whole Law—I have no doubt that it is a general preface by which He prepares their minds for obedience.

Surely it was necessary that, first of all, the right of the legislator should be established, so that what He chose to command would not be despised or contemptuously received. In these words, then, God seeks to secure reverence for Himself before He prescribes the rule of a holy and righteous life.

Moreover, He not only declares Himself to be Jehovah—the only God to whom humans are bound by the right of creation, who has given them their existence, and who preserves their life, indeed, who is Himself the life of all—but He also adds that He is the particular God of the Israelites. This is because it was fitting not only that the people should be awed by the majesty of God, but also that they should be gently attracted, so that the Law might be more precious than gold and silver, and at the same time sweeter than honey (Psalms 119:72, 103). For it would not be enough for humans to be compelled by servile fear to bear its yoke unless they were also attracted by its sweetness and willingly endured it.

He afterwards recounts that special blessing with which He had honored the people, and by which He had testified that they were not elected by Him in vain, for their redemption was the sure pledge of their adoption. To bind them more strongly to Himself, He also reminds them of their former condition: Egypt was like a house of bondage, from which the Israelites were delivered. Therefore, they were no longer their own masters, since God had purchased them for Himself.

This does not indeed literally apply to us, but He has bound us to Himself with a holier tie by the hand of His only-begotten Son, whom Paul teaches to have died and risen again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living (Romans 14:9). Therefore, He is not now the God of one people only, but of all nations, whom He has called into His Church by general adoption.