Help to to obey you, and to please you.
The 10 commandments that were given to Moses by God and form the basis for most of the laws around the world. What we call society is basically an agreement on how we live together; what is allowed and what is not allowed. Even this changes over time. Not too long ago it was considered very bad for a young couple to live together before being married. Now it's the norm. However just because society has changed its opinion doesn't make it right.
It reminds me a a joke I heard a few years back about two people who were arguing about God. As they couldn't agree, one said "There's no point arguing with you, I'll please God how I like", and the other replied "I'll please God how God likes". We have to be careful that we try to please God as he wants. Just because there's a majority doesn't make it right.
And what we call 'law' is not necessarily black and white. Barristers get their money by looking at the interpretation of the law, how past cases have been judged, etc. There's plenty of films which have the arrested party calling for their attorney so they can be let off. Unfortunately it's true. The law can be twisted to suit one person or another, and having lots of laws just makes it easier to get more complicated!! (if that makes sense)
So God made 10, and wrote them on two tablets of stone, which were stored inside the Ark of the Covenant.
Have a quick look at Exodus 20.
They cover our attitude to God, and our attitude to other people.
Jesus summed up the 'whole' law in Matthew 22, as;
37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
If we love God, and if we love our neighbour then we keep the whole law. There's no need for barristers to interpret the law. It's easy.
Why did God write the 10 commandments?
Is there any other(s) that you would add if given the opportunity?
What was the Children of Israel's attitude to the laws.