Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, stones hold significant symbolic and practical importance, particularly in the context of the Law of Moses. The use of stone tablets to inscribe the divine commandments underscores the permanence and unchanging nature of God's law.The Giving of the Law The most notable instance of the Law being written on stone is found in the account of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. According to Exodus 31:18 , "When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God." This divine act of inscribing the commandments on stone signifies the direct involvement of God in delivering His law to His people, emphasizing its sacred and authoritative nature. The Tablets of Stone The stone tablets are described as being inscribed on both sides (Exodus 32:15), indicating the completeness and sufficiency of God's law. These tablets were not merely a human artifact but were crafted by God Himself, as stated in Exodus 32:16 : "The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets." The Breaking and Renewal of the Tablets The narrative continues with Moses descending from the mountain to find the Israelites worshiping a golden calf. In his anger, Moses throws down the tablets, breaking them at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32:19). This act symbolizes the breaking of the covenant by the people through their idolatry. However, God's mercy and willingness to renew the covenant are demonstrated when He instructs Moses to chisel out two new stone tablets. In Exodus 34:1 , the LORD commands, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke." This renewal signifies God's enduring commitment to His covenant with Israel despite their transgressions. The Ark of the Covenant The stone tablets were placed in the Ark of the Covenant, as described in Deuteronomy 10:1-5 . The Ark served as a sacred chest, symbolizing God's presence among His people and the centrality of His law in their communal and spiritual life. The placement of the tablets within the Ark highlights the foundational role of the commandments in guiding the moral and religious conduct of the Israelites. Symbolism and Legacy The use of stone for the tablets is rich in symbolism. Stone, being durable and enduring, reflects the eternal and unchanging nature of God's law. The act of writing on stone also signifies the law's authority and the expectation of obedience from God's people. The stone tablets serve as a tangible reminder of the covenant between God and Israel, a covenant that is both a privilege and a responsibility. Throughout the biblical narrative, the stone tablets remain a powerful symbol of God's revelation and His desire for a holy and obedient people. The Law of Moses, inscribed on these tablets, continues to be a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics and theology, reflecting the divine will and guiding believers in their relationship with God and one another. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 8:32And he wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. Nave's Topical Index Library Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law. The Young Josiah and the Book of the Law The Original, Nature, Property, and Use of the Law Samaria. Sychem. The New Leaders Commission A Living Book Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount Wish You to Know, Most Pious Father, that in These Days There Has ... Moses Reported These Words of God to the People... Introductory Remarks. Resources Is it possible for gold dust to come down during a church service? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is God going to give us a white stone with a new name? | GotQuestions.org What is an altar? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Stones of Christ, "A Tested Stone" "A Precious Stone" "A Sure Foundation, " Stones of Christ, the Water of Life Stones of Christ's Rejection, the Rejected Conerstone Stones of Temptation, "Stone of Stumbling" Stones of the Impenitent Heart Stones of the Witness of the Spirit, the White Stone Stones used for Closing Graves Stones used for Weighing (Margin) Stones used in Building Altars Stones: Commandments Engraved Upon Stones: Great, As Landmarks (Some Hebrew Mss Have "Abel") Stones: Great, in Solomon's Temple Stones: Hewers (Stone-Cutters) of Stones: Magnificent, in Herod the Great's Temple Stones: Precious in the Breastplate and Ephod Stones: Precious in the Crowns of Kings Stones: Precious: Exported from Sheba Stones: Precious: Partial Catalogue of Stones: Precious: Seen in the Foundation of the New Jerusalem in John's Apocalyptic Vision Stones: Precious: Voluntary offerings of, by the Israelites for the Breastplate and Ephod Stones: Prepared in the Quarries Stones: Symbolical of the Kingdom of Christ Stones: The Law of Moses Written Upon Stones: Thrown Upon Accursed Ground Related Terms |
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