Topical Bible: Table: of Testimony were Broken

◄ Table: of Testimony were Broken ►

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The "Table of Testimony" refers to the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. These tablets are central to the covenant between God and the Israelites, serving as a divine testimony to the laws that God established for His people.

Biblical Account

The breaking of the tablets is a significant event recorded in the Book of Exodus. After receiving the tablets from God, Moses descended from Mount Sinai to find the Israelites engaged in idolatry, worshiping a golden calf. In his anger at their sin, Moses threw down the tablets, shattering them at the foot of the mountain. This act is described in Exodus 32:19 : "As soon as Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger, threw the tablets out of his hands, and shattered them at the base of the mountain."

Symbolism and Significance

The breaking of the tablets symbolizes the breach of the covenant between God and Israel due to their idolatry. It underscores the gravity of their sin and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. The shattered tablets serve as a physical representation of the broken relationship between God and His people at that moment.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the breaking of the tablets highlights the holiness and justice of God, as well as the seriousness of sin. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the importance of obedience to God's laws. The event also foreshadows the need for a mediator and a new covenant, which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Restoration and Renewal

Despite the broken tablets, God's mercy and willingness to restore the covenant are evident. In Exodus 34, God instructs Moses to chisel out two new stone tablets, and He rewrites the commandments on them. This act of renewal is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His desire to maintain a relationship with His people. Exodus 34:1 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, '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.'"

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, covenants were often formalized with written agreements. The stone tablets served as a tangible and enduring record of the covenant between God and Israel. The act of breaking such a document would have been understood as a profound violation of the agreement, emphasizing the severity of Israel's transgression.

Legacy and Reflection

The narrative of the broken tablets continues to resonate within the Judeo-Christian tradition as a powerful lesson on the consequences of disobedience and the need for divine grace. It invites believers to reflect on their own faithfulness to God's commandments and the ever-present opportunity for repentance and renewal through God's mercy.

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Exodus 24:12
And the LORD said to Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give you tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that you may teach them.
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Exodus 31:18
And he gave to Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him on mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
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Exodus 32:15-19
And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
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Deuteronomy 4:13
And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them on two tables of stone.
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Deuteronomy 9:9-11,17
When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I stayed in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
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Library

Following the Cloud.
... This "Ark of Testimony," as it was called, had rings ... carry it, and so had the golden
table for bread ... There were beautiful garments, also, for the priests, Aaron ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... by Rameses, and on the jewel was testimony of royal ... the lamp down and set it on the
table while she ... The red walls were broken at regular intervals by crevices ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ...
... to be extant neither "Synaxarium," (ie Table of Proper ... of Africa, added to the express
testimony of the ... and of the oldest Syriac MSS., that they were also read ...
/.../chapter x the testimony of.htm

Introduction.
... been one that has appealed to testimony taken from ... The accompanying Synoptical Table
shows where the Petrine ... of either the malefactor or Jesus were not broken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/introduction.htm

Moody -- what Think Ye of Christ?
... money ring as he dashes it upon the table, "I have ... His words, tho they were echoed
in the wilderness of ... dross that I may win Christ." Such a testimony to the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/moody what think ye.htm

The People among whom we Labour (Continued).
... classes, and yet differ widely in their testimony, showing that ... For a time their
services were kept up zealously, but ... our house, sat with us at table, and was ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xxix the people among.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... me;" and it is a denial of the testimony to say ... Were you to begin praying now, and
do nothing else but ... meeting, he threw it down on the table saying, "Surely ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

Naaman the Syrian
... If she hadn't, her testimony would not have been taken ... and in the very act of doing
it they were blessed; their ... a man right opposite to Him at the table with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iii naaman the syrian.htm

At the Temple Gate
... They were with Him in the temple, at the table, on the ... restored to soundness of health,
added a weight of testimony to Peter's ... Priests and rulers were silent. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 6 at the temple.htm