As a layman without any sort of degree in theological studies, here I go again, posting an analogy of the Ten Commandments using my liberties on this second part of this series on the Ten Commandments, concentrating on the 4th as written in Exodus 20.
“Charlton Heston in “Ten Commandments” 1956”
You’ve been working hard the past 5 days when the boss approaches you at the work site. Surprised, you quickly wonder, did I do something wrong, did I break a rule, was I was in trouble and might be sent to the bonfire. He notices right away your astonishment and puts you at ease. He then starts reviewing with you again how the company got its start, how he put all things together under certain laws that would guarantee the certainties of repeating actions; six days of intense work.
He says: “After the concentrated work of those six days, I looked at it and said its good, it’ll work. I sat down and admired what had been accomplished and rested enjoying the completion of those intense six days.” He stops and peers into your eyes for clues as to your recognition and acknowledgment, whether you do get it, whether you really do understand the meanings of it all, or if he may have problems with you abusing a liberty as an opportunity to go another way, to do your own thing.
The owner creator starts up again.
“[insert your name here], from my observations you’ve had an excellent performance record throughout the previous days work. So, now I want to inform you of another rule of mine for all my partners in this venture of ours. You are my partner in this. The joy of your fellowship while we’re organized together in this venture pleases me. You know that I put this company together in six days and then I took a day off. This is the beginning of your sixth day now, so you’ve got the rest of today to finish the week’s work, but then I want you to take the next day off and rest, just as I did. You deserve the rest. You need the rest. Your body needs it. Your soul and mind needs it. It’s a day I desire you and your family to plan to rest, giving yourselves time to recuperate and mend. Nothing but restful activities remembering how you came to be my partner. That includes all within your dwelling and any animals you may have too, as they too need a day to do as they would. We’ll call it our sabbath day of each week.”
“I desire for you join me on this seventh day each week for a time of restful relaxed fellowship together. Will you do that?”
“Yes, yes. Thank You.”
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Author: Arnold R. Kropp
About Mr. Arnold.
Back in the days when I was a kid growing up in south Chicago, freely roaming around the neighborhood was common, and just a part of life in the late '40s and early '50s. A train track was less than a mile away and a favorite place to walk along the rails. A large city park was a bit closer with areas of dense trees and areas of open grassy picnic grounds. A public golf course was just two blocks away, but the famed 4-lane busy Western avenue had to be crossed to get to it, and we crossed in the middle of the block running between the cars and trucks. We knew the risks. In the winters, we would climb that fence making our way to one of the ponds, we’d push and shovel away the snow and play a spontaneous game of hockey, or bring a sled and slide down the hillside ; no adults, no special padding, just a group of kids enjoying the contest.
Dad was at work. Mom was home tending to the laundry and preparing the family meal for promptly at 6 pm. Life was good. It was fun. Sunday mornings were dress up in suit and tie, polished shoes for Sunday school and the worship service, then to a restaurant.
Arnold went on to college immediately after high school, but could not find a subject, a major that was really up his alley, so he enlisted in the Army and served in Germany during the years the Berlin wall was built. Seeing what effects Soviet communism had on the people of East Germany left an impression on him. During those years, he would write many long letters home starting a desire to write more than just letters. Many years later Arnold developed a blog where he posted hundreds of articles on the political side of American life. Some of those are available in the collection named "Ramblings".
Today, Society is totally different from that of the '50s, a whole lot different.
Today, it has become scary to let the kids roam. Today it has become organized to the hilt with 2nd graders playing organized football. In my present relatively quiet neighborhood, I do see kids walking the streets, but there is a difference as the kids seem to be apprehensive and on guard or intently operating a telephone as they walk, not running after each other playing hide and seek.
Today, the above freedoms of the '50s are suspect and avoided as being dangerous activities. And that is sad. It's sad that today's kids do not have that freedom, and it may be having a direct effect on their development. Consider, one fact that is readily apparent today compared to yesterday; the preponderance of overweight and obese kids, even pre-school kids are heavier than we were, and this has to be affecting the rest of their daily lives. No doubt about it. But, I'd better hush, can't talk about those things.
Yes, in the '50s there were Semi-trucks, public transportation, murders, rape, robberies, house fires, sickness and diseases resulting in death, and yes, there were deadly vehicle accidents too. There was even poverty and homosexuals too. We went to public schools, and the high school was integrated. This was Chicago, but those events did not make the headlines, as news was only broadcast at 6pm and possibly 10pm nightcap. Days of the cold war kept us together as a nation. We saw the "Victory at Sea" war clips before the main feature at the theaters.
And now technology dominates life. A cell phone in every handy pocket posting selfies. A computer saving everything to one of those cumulous clouds. Room size TV’s broadcasting everything 24/7.
This is more information than I want.
Let me decide something.
I think. therefore, I am.
I was born a male, therefore I am.
I was born-again, therefore I am.
I have life within, therefore I am.
The news is not my guide.
The TV is not my Sheppard.
View all posts by Arnold R. Kropp
One Day at a Time 