Exodus 20:1-11   God spoke "all these words"..  These words would be the foundation of  God's covenant with Israel.  Because He is : "the  Lord your God".. the One who delivered the people out of Egypt.. out of slavery.. because He was revealing Himself to them by coming down out of heaven with thunder and lightning and smoke and fire.. these words were vital for them.. as a people of God.. as a nation, set apart as God's own possession. 

The first 4 of these commandments established Israel's relationship with the Lord.  This is what He desired for them and from them.. 

To have no other gods. 

 To have no idols. To have no images.  To never worship anyone or anything other than Him. 

They were to hallow His name. They were never to use His name in any other way but in reverence and worship. 

They were to "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."  The seventh day was to always be observed as a day of rest.. to remember the One who made the "heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them.. They were given this gift of the sabbath.. and they were to "keep" it sacred.. set apart.. "holy". 

Jesus, when asked which commandment was the greatest, said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.. " ( Matthew 22:37)  To do this is to keep these first 4 commandments presented to the people of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai.. the mountain of God. F

Father in heaven, fill our hearts with this great love.. let our souls and our minds.. be completely overwhelmed with love for You.  May we never want anyone or anything more than we want You.. to love You and keep Your commandments.  Thank You for Jesus Christ, who is in us and who leads us into the depths of Your love. It is in His holy name we pray. Amen.