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7 The 10th Commandment

“You shall not covet . . . ” (Exodus 20;17).

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S ome 600 years before Elijah battled with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Moses appeared atop Mount Si nai, receiving the Ten Commandments. In the midst of fire, smoke, thunder, trumpets, and an earthquake, the Lord came down to deliver the Decalogue and see that they were etched on two stone tablets. Rounding out the list, this is what He said, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). Fast forward six centuries. Elijah bounced back from a bout with depression, passing his mantle to his assistant Elisha. Soon thereafter, fresh off of military victory, Ahab settles in at home. And rather than rest up, count his blessings and enjoy a little time with the wife, Ahab spots a vineyard beside his palace. Not only did he spot it, he decided he wanted it, a desire which ignited the crime. Note that this road to criminal behavior began with Ahab’s

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