Ever since the beginning of our creation, there have been rules in place for humankind to follow, even in the Paradise called Eden.

The first rule given to Adam was:

“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Didn’t take long to break that first rule, did it?  

The rule-breakers hid from the presence of God, and began the human cycle of suffering and mortality.

Generations and years of suffering brought the children of God forward to a time,

when GOD, HIMSELF, wrote HIS rules in stone as a guide for his children to follow. 

These rules would offer them a way back into the good graces of GOD. and enable the multitude to live together in brotherhood and harmony, while here on Earth.

Of these ten rules, the first was “I am the LORD, your GOD, you shall not have other Gods before me.”  

Plain and simply stated.

The following of the ten laws gave direction for the children in life, how they were to interact with our creator, how to treat parents and family and brothers and neighbors and ALL of GOD’s children.

Didn’t take long to break theses rules either.  In fact, the stone tablets written by God’s very hand were broken in anger even before they had been delivered to the people. 

More rules and laws, traditions and instruction were written for the children to follow.

All of these were to teach them the ways that would show compliance and gratitude to God for his promises and how to abide by the covenant made between God and his children.

Years and years and rules and rule breakers followed.

Again, the people strayed away from the rules and ignored the pledge they had made to God.

But still, GOD kept his promises. It was time to teach the children up close and personal.

An emissary was sent, straight from GOD to show the way, the direction, give the words, the example.

God’s very presence amongst us to steer us toward the pathway back to our creator.

This time, the rules were presented to us with words, stories and parables.

The rules were compacted down to only two, but these two encompass every other rule for mankind.

LOVE GOD, AND LOVE OTHERS AS YOU WANT TO BE LOVED YOURSELF.

Simple, yes. 

Easy, no. 

And so, here we are, still following the path, trying to follow the rules that lead mankind back to Being in the presence of GOD.