Topical Encyclopedia The "Tablets of Testimony" refer 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 people of Israel, serving as a divine witness to the laws that God established for His people.Biblical Context and Description The Tablets of Testimony are first mentioned in the Book of Exodus. After the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they camped at Mount Sinai, where God called Moses to ascend the mountain. There, God provided Moses with the tablets, which were inscribed by the finger of God Himself. Exodus 31:18 states, "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." These tablets were not merely a legal document but a sacred covenant, symbolizing the relationship between God and Israel. The Ten Commandments outlined on these tablets are foundational ethical and moral principles that have influenced Judeo-Christian thought throughout history. Placement in the Ark of the Covenant The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest constructed by the Israelites under the direction of Moses, as detailed in Exodus 25. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, featuring a lid known as the "Mercy Seat," where God's presence would dwell. The Ark was designed to house the Tablets of Testimony, signifying their utmost importance and sanctity. Exodus 25:16 instructs, "And put into the ark the Testimony, which I will give you." This command underscores the centrality of the tablets within the religious life of Israel. The Ark, containing the tablets, was placed in the Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred area of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem. Significance in Israelite Worship and Theology The Tablets of Testimony, housed within the Ark, were a constant reminder of God's covenant and His laws. They were a tangible representation of God's will and His direct communication with His chosen people. The Ark, and by extension the tablets, played a crucial role in Israelite worship, accompanying the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert and in battles, symbolizing God's presence and guidance. The Ark's presence in the Tabernacle and later the Temple signified God's dwelling among His people. The tablets within the Ark were a perpetual witness to the covenant, reminding the Israelites of their obligations to God and His laws. Theological Implications The Tablets of Testimony emphasize the importance of divine law and covenant in the biblical narrative. They highlight God's desire for a holy and obedient people, set apart for His purposes. The placement of the tablets in the Ark of the Covenant underscores the sacredness of God's commandments and the seriousness with which they were to be regarded by the Israelites. In the broader biblical theology, the Tablets of Testimony foreshadow the coming of Christ, who fulfills the law and establishes a new covenant with humanity. The principles enshrined in the Ten Commandments continue to resonate within Christian ethics and morality, serving as a foundation for understanding God's character and His expectations for human conduct. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 10:5And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 8:9 Hebrews 9:4 Library What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? The Third Perpetuity Scriptural Types. Ancestors of the Blessed virgin The Sword of the Spirit Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It. Solomon's Temple Spiritualized Hidden Manna Resources What is the Table of Nations? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org Why are there two demon-possessed men in the Gerasene tombs in Matthew, but only one in Mark and Luke? | GotQuestions.org Table: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Table: A Slab Upon Which Inscriptions Were Made Table: An Article of Furniture Table: An Article of Furniture: Made of Silver Table: of Testimony were Broken Table: of Testimony were Placed in the Ark of the Covenant Table: of Testimony: A Second Set Engraved Table: of Testimony: The Commandments Engraved Upon Related Terms Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences) Over-against (156 Occurrences) Mephib'osheth (13 Occurrences) |
    |