It would be easy to think of the ten commandments as a way to get God to love you- follow these rules if you want front row in heaven. But clearly, God loved the children of Israel BEFORE He ever gave these to Moses. It was actually out of love for them that He set up some boundaries. I think nowadays, people sort of view the big 10 as a buffet. Pick the ones you want to follow, omit the ones you don't. If you can do 5 out of 10, then you're doing pretty good. But again, these aren't some useless rules- they stem from relationship. Take the first ones, obviously our devotion should belong to God- we shouldn't make idols out of the things (or people in our lives). He comes first. These days idols typically aren't gold calves but tvs, internet, gossip, boyfriends, anything that comes in between your relationship with God. I also don't think the Israelites had a tough time with saying swearing with God's name attached to it. Hey, maybe they did. these are just thoughts. But could it be that we need to watch attaching God's name to something He never said? Honor our word. Not flippantly throw God around even though He gets thanked first and foremost on every awards show from artists who just won for a song all about fornication. Hmm. I sound judgmental. Sorry. In my life, I can't slap God's name on things that He didn't do- or carry His name around and not walk as a Christ follower. When I behave in a way that doesn't honor Him, it's not just my name I'm dragging through the mud, it's His. And the whole Sabbath thing- could this be that we need to adopt an attitude of rest in our realtionship with God? One that relies on His grace and doesn't work for righteousness, understanding that we already are through Jesus? Verse 12 is tough- especially in dealing with teenagers who have ungodly parents. Obviously you follow God first and foremost. And hopefully, verses 13-17 are pretty self-explanatory. Although that whole covetting thing can be tough- we live in a day and age where everyone outdoes each other, we have to "keep up wiht the Joneses'" Ridiculous. God, help us be content with what we have and not become materialistic chasing after the prosperity or popularity of others.
My final thought- I'm so glad I didn't live then. We have Jesus!!! We aren't just expected to follow rules, we can have access to relationship.

Exodus 20:1-17