And the LORD wrote on the tablets what had been written previously, the Ten Commandments that He had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly. The LORD gave them to me, And the LORD wrote on the tabletsThis phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the Ten Commandments. The act of God writing the commandments signifies their authority and permanence. In biblical context, this underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as seen in Exodus 31:18, where God gives Moses the tablets inscribed by His own finger. This divine authorship sets these laws apart from human legislation. Exo 32:16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing… what had been written previously, This refers to the first set of tablets that Moses broke in anger (Exodus 32:19) after witnessing the Israelites worshiping the golden calf. The repetition of the commandments signifies God's willingness to renew the covenant despite Israel's transgressions. It highlights God's mercy and the importance of repentance and restoration. Exo 34:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets… the Ten Commandments These commandments are foundational to Israelite law and ethics, serving as a summary of God's expectations for His people. They are divided into duties toward God and duties toward others, reflecting the two greatest commandments Jesus mentions in Matthew 22:37-40. The Decalogue is central to both Jewish and Christian moral teaching. Exo 34:28 So Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights… that He had spoken to you on the mountain This phrase recalls the theophany at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20), where God audibly delivered the commandments to the Israelites. The mountain is a place of divine revelation, and this event marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, establishing them as God's chosen people with a unique covenant. Exo 19:20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai… out of the fire The fire symbolizes God's presence and holiness, as seen in Exodus 19:18, where Mount Sinai is enveloped in smoke because the LORD descended on it in fire. Fire often represents purification and judgment in scripture, indicating the seriousness and sanctity of the commandments. Deu 4:12 And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire.… on the day of the assembly. This refers to the gathering of the Israelites at Mount Sinai to receive the law. The term "assembly" underscores the communal aspect of the covenant, where the entire nation is called to witness and accept God's law. It foreshadows the New Testament concept of the church as the assembly of believers. Deu 4:10 The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb,… The LORD gave them to me, Moses acts as the mediator between God and the people, a role that prefigures Christ as the ultimate mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15). Moses' reception of the tablets signifies the transmission of divine law to humanity, a theme that resonates throughout scripture as God continually reveals His will to His people. Deu 5:22 The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of Israel who gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. 3. The Tablets Stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed by God. 4. The Mountain (Mount Sinai) The place where God revealed Himself to Moses and gave the Law. 5. The Assembly Refers to the gathering of the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai when God delivered the Ten Commandments. Teaching Points The Permanence of God's LawThe fact that God wrote the commandments on stone signifies their enduring nature and importance. God's Initiative in Revelation God Himself inscribed the commandments, showing His active role in revealing His will to humanity. The Role of Mediators Moses acted as a mediator between God and the people, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate mediator. The Importance of Obedience The giving of the Law underscores the necessity of obedience to God's commands as a response to His covenant love. The Assembly as a Community of Faith The gathering of the Israelites at Sinai reflects the communal aspect of faith, where God's people are called to live out His commandments together. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of God writing the commandments on stone tablets emphasize the importance of His Law in our lives today?2. In what ways does Moses' role as a mediator between God and Israel point to the work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? 3. How can we apply the principles of the Ten Commandments in our daily interactions and decision-making processes? 4. What does the communal aspect of the assembly at Mount Sinai teach us about the importance of community in our faith journey? 5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) expand our understanding of the Law given at Sinai? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 34This chapter provides the account of Moses receiving the second set of tablets after the first were broken. Deuteronomy 5 Reiterates the Ten Commandments, emphasizing their importance and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Hebrews 12 Discusses the significance of Mount Sinai and contrasts it with Mount Zion, highlighting the new covenant through Christ. Matthew 5 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He expounds on the Law, showing its fulfillment in Him. 2 Corinthians 3 Paul speaks about the ministry of the Spirit versus the letter of the Law, emphasizing the transformative power of the new covenant.
People Aaron, Eleazar, Jaakanites, Jakan, Levi, MosesPlaces Beeroth Bene-jaakan, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Jotbathah, Moserah, SinaiTopics Assembly, Commandments, Fire, Former, Giveth, Matters, Meeting, Midst, Mount, Mountain, Proclaimed, Rules, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Stones, Tables, Tablets, Ten, Writeth, Writing, Written, WroteDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 10:4Library Election and HolinessNow, this morning it may be that some of you will not approve of what I have to say. You will remember, however, that I do not seek your approbation, that it will be sufficient for me if I have cleared my conscience concerning a grand truth and have preached the gospel faithfully. I am not accountable to you, nor you to me. You are accountable to God, if you reject a truth; I am accountable to Him if I preach an error. I am not afraid to stand before His bar with regard to the great doctrines which … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 Book iii. The Ascent: from the River Jordan to the Mount of Transfiguration. a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet Commerce Sanctification. Parable of the Importunate Widow. Covenanting a Duty. Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;' Covenanting Confers Obligation. Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done. An Appendix to the Beatitudes Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry. Deuteronomy Links Deuteronomy 10:4 NIVDeuteronomy 10:4 NLT Deuteronomy 10:4 ESV Deuteronomy 10:4 NASB Deuteronomy 10:4 KJV Deuteronomy 10:4 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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