How does Exodus 31:18 emphasize the divine origin of the Ten Commandments? Verse focus Exodus 31:18: “When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone written with the finger of God.” Key phrases in Exodus 31:18 • “He gave him” • “two tablets of the Testimony” • “tablets of stone” • “written with the finger of God” Markers of direct divine authorship • God is the Giver, not merely the Inspirer. The verse shows a transfer from God’s hand to Moses’ hands. • The tablets are called “the Testimony,” underscoring that they serve as God’s sworn witness of covenant terms. • Stone implies permanence and unchangeable authority, contrasting with human scrolls that wear out. • “Written with the finger of God” assigns authorship to God’s own action, leaving no space for human editing or embellishment. Why stone matters • Stone outlasts parchment, signaling that God’s moral law is enduring (Psalm 119:89). • Carving into rock reflects deliberate, precise craftsmanship, reinforcing that every word counts (Matthew 5:18). • Breaking the tablets later (Exodus 32:19) shows judgment on sin, yet the replacement tablets (Exodus 34:1) confirm God’s continued commitment to His word. The role of Moses: recipient, not author • Moses comes down the mountain carrying what he did not write (Exodus 32:15-16). • Moses later recounts that the words were engraved by God Himself (Deuteronomy 9:10). • His task is transmission and teaching, illustrating the prophetic pattern of receiving revelation, then declaring it without alteration. Confirmation in other passages • Exodus 24:12 — God calls Moses up specifically “that I may give you the tablets of stone.” • Deuteronomy 5:22 — “He added no more,” underscoring completeness and sufficiency. • 2 Timothy 3:16 — “All Scripture is God-breathed,” harmonizing New Testament doctrine with the literal account of God writing the law. • Psalm 19:7 — “The Law of the LORD is perfect,” fitting the divine origin affirmed in Exodus 31:18. Implications for us today • The moral law rests on divine, not human, authority, giving it universal claim. • The permanence of stone highlights the enduring relevance of God’s commands, even in a changing culture. • Since God personally authored and delivered these words, obedience is an act of trust in His character rather than mere rule-keeping. |
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