I really want to do this well because I am likely to refer back to this chapter/post many times over the next few months or years. The Ten Commandments are often used as shorthand for the entire Law. This is a pivotal moment, much like the night of the Passover, in the history of Israel. Having the Law – and hopefully, at least sometimes – keeping the Law is what makes Israel God’s people and distinguishes them from every other people and nation on the earth.