The enemies of the Jewish People accuse the Torah of being racist, setting the Jewish People apart as a treasured people and a holy nation. With every privilege, however, comes responsibility. When speaking to others, Moshe was to use language as tough as sinew. Others heard these same words, but they heard them as words bespeaking a destiny as tough as sinew. For to be a holy nation and a treasured people is a responsibility of awesome proportions.
Privilege comes only at a price.
Believing in Hashem, not making idols, not using Hashem's name for no purpose, observing Shabbos. Thus these first commandments are accompanied by descriptions of reward and punishment. The second group of five commandments are for the benefit of people. The prohibitions against murder, kidnapping, adultery and false testimony are fundamental to living in peace with society. Their mere performance is their own reward.