“Lo tee’-naaf” is how it sounded when it came down from Mount Sinai. Most English translations have it as “You shall not commit adultery,” or the more classical, “Thou shalt not . . .” It was, of course, one the Ten Commandments. Most count it as Number Seven, while some count it as Six, depending on how you split or conjoin the First.

These words were innovative, radical, intrusive, bothersome, controlling–and abundantly merciful. It’s funny how that works. Most people see the Ten Commandments as a wet blanket thrown on the sensual joys of living. Or they interpret them as the thunderous denunciations of a cosmic scold who wags a menacing finger at humanity with a “tsk-tsk” that reverberates through the Milky Way–and through our consciences.

There is another way to think of these words, though. My good friend and sometimes mentor, the late Reverend Dr. Edwin Elliott, whose Reformed Presbyterian pulpit was literally framed by two giant and handsomely artistic renderings of the traditional tablets of the Commandments, used to say these words were “gifts to mankind.” After all, they “helped us to avoid a lot of misery.”

If you question Edwin’s wisdom on this, just ask Tiger Woods. Now, I rarely write on subjects outside Washington, DC, or at least related to government and the people in it, but this one just can’t be ignored. It’s not just the talk of Main Street America, it’s also all the talk up here on Capitol Hill. That’s probably for a number of reasons. There are a lot of golfers here; it’s really the most popular sport among politicians. But there may also be a certain dread that what befell their favorite golfer may, in fact, befall them. After all, the other popular “sport” here in Washington, is, well . . . adultery.

So, back to the matter at hand: Had Tiger just listened to and obeyed the Commandment, his life, his home, his marriage, his family, his most intimate relationships, his friendships, his reputation, his business, his celebrity, his driving record, his insurance rate . . . his golf game, would all be in a much better state.

See how merciful God is. The Author of the Great Words on Sinai wanted something better for Tiger and the people who love him, like him and do business with him. God wanted the best for Tiger, not this humiliating, heart-wrenching, excruciating, complicating and no-doubt expensive ordeal. Jesus summarized it when He said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Following the rule book brings about that abundance. I’m praying Tiger, his wife, his mistress, and all those injured by his actions, will discover or rediscover this simple but profound truth of God’s merciful care for us and thereby reclaim the happiness they once had.

Mindful of my own transgressions, I’m grateful to God for his abundant mercy and the good life it has given me. Hmm . . . that just gave me an idea. I think I’ll send Tiger a copy of my book on the Ten Commandments–maybe it will improve his game.

Rob +

Tags: adultery, athletes, golf, politicians, Sports, ten commandments, Tiger Woods, washington dc

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am and is filed under Sports, golf. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.