them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me
and keep my commandments."

_What in meant by this Declaration?_

God threatens to punish all those who transgress these commandments; we
should therefore dread His displeasure and not act contrarily to these
commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep
them; we should therefore love and trust in him, and cheerfully do what
he has commanded us.

* * * * *

A JEALOUS GOD. God claims our highest love, and is grieved and offended
if we turn our affections away from Him and disobey His law. He will
punish or bless men according as they hate or love Him: [Rom. 2:6-10,
Deut. 11:26-28, Gal. 6:7-8] "to the third and fourth generation of them
that hate him," and "unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His
commandments."

I. PUNISHMENT.

GOD THREATENS TO PUNISH

1. _Whom?_ ALL THOSE WHO TRANSGRESS THESE COMMANDMENTS [Rom: 1:18+, Lev
26:14-15, Isa 59:2, Ezek. 18:4+, Rom. 6:23+] by commission, (doing what
is forbidden) or omission (not doing what is commanded), whether it be
transgression by deed or word or thought. Every transgression, great or
small, is sin, and makes men guilty and punishable. [Gal. 3:10]