God’s commandments were written for our benefit. For example, if I rob a bank, I go to prison. Therefore, God told me not to steal.
Yes, I agree, they are for our benefit. They are also to show God’s holy standard and that we, as fallen human beings, can never perfectly live up to it. They expose the sin in our hearts and our need for a Savior.
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The commandments and other laws were given to the nation of Israel to help them learn to try to control themselves so that they did not arm themselves and each other as well as to what needed to be done to draw closer to God.
Gal_3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
What the law can teach us is that we cannot keep it with the natural state of our flesh. It is only by Christ and his Spirit working in us that we can grow in the selfless love of Christ-likeness
I also think God’s commandments are relational. They don’t just tell us what not to do; they teach us how to love God and how to live well with one another. When we look at the Ten Commandments, many of them are about protecting relationships—with God, our families, our neighbors, and our communities.
To me, that shows God’s desire was never simply to impose rules, but to guide His people toward lives that reflect His character.
The ten commandments tell us all how God expects us all to live.
Jesus said ’ if you Love me you will Obey my commands.’