Weeks 19 & 20 of 25 in Fisher: Commandments 2-10 and Psa. 119:96

Two Old Testament passages come to mind as I reflect on Fisher’s wonderful exposition of the Ten Commandments. One is Psalm 119:96: “I have seen a limit to [mg: an end of] all perfection; Thy commandment is exceedingly broad.” (NASB) Fisher’s fictional dialogue had its characters expressing this sentiment more than once, and I shared it repeatedly. At the same time, Fisher’s exposition evokes admiration and appreciation for the beauty of holiness, which we find on the lips of Moses in Deut. 4:8: “And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?”  (ESV)  To live in a society where there is such perfection . . . will be heaven, and heaven only! Those happy few who were able to gather for today’s monthly Dead Theologians Society meeting took time to gaze into infinite depths of righteousness that the moral law requires, as Fisher has endeavored to plumb them for us, and we rejoiced in the One who has perfectly fulfilled it on our behalf. And herein lies a wonderful paradox of faith. The believer looks into the perfect law of liberty, beholds his shortcomings, and, wonder of wonder, loves that law, because it reflects the holy character of the God he loves. As long as we are in this flesh, there will always be an acute awareness of sin and failure, but wonder of wonder, the believer also knows that with Him there is forgiveness, that He may be feared (Psa. 130:4).  Knowing ourselves and our God on this matter is the sole basis for true communion with Him. The other passage that comes to mind so strikingly as I reflect on Fisher’s exposition here is Psalm 37:23-24.  I began this pilgrimage 34 years ago, and I can testify to the following: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for THE LORD UPHOLDS HIS HAND.” (ESV) The Lord alone knows how many times he has kept me from falling headlong, because he holds my hand! Those who have had children can appreciate this image especially, I think. A parent knows a toddler needs that hand, and will not let the child go, no matter what, when the child’s safety is concerned. How much more is this true of our heavenly Father, not just when we start out on the journey to the Celestial City, but all the way home! How can it be otherwise, for: “Thy commandment is exceedingly broad.”