The First Tablets, also known as the Tablets of the Covenant, are a significant element in the biblical narrative, representing God's initial written communication of His laws to the people of Israel. These tablets were inscribed by the finger of God and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The account of the First Tablets is primarily found in the Book of Exodus.

Biblical Account

The account of the First Tablets begins in Exodus 24, where Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the law and commandments from God. In Exodus 24:12 , the Lord says to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction."

Moses remains on the mountain for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18), during which time God provides detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the establishment of the priesthood. The culmination of this divine encounter is the giving of the tablets. Exodus 31:18 states, "When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God."

The Breaking of the Tablets

The narrative takes a dramatic turn in Exodus 32. While Moses is on the mountain, the Israelites grow impatient and persuade Aaron to make a golden calf, which they worship as their god. Upon descending the mountain and witnessing the idolatry, Moses' anger burns hot. Exodus 32:19 describes the scene: "As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned, and he threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain."

The breaking of the tablets symbolizes the breach of the covenant between God and Israel due to their sin. It underscores the gravity of their transgression and the need for repentance and restoration.

Theological Significance

The First Tablets hold profound theological significance. They represent the direct and divine origin of the law, emphasizing that the commandments are not merely human constructs but are given by God Himself. The fact that they were inscribed by the "finger of God" highlights their sacred and authoritative nature.

The breaking of the tablets serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the fragility of the covenant relationship when God's laws are not upheld. It also foreshadows the need for a new covenant, one that would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and fulfills the law.

Subsequent Developments

Following the breaking of the First Tablets, Moses intercedes for the people, and God, in His mercy, renews the covenant. In Exodus 34, God instructs Moses to chisel out two new stone tablets, and He once again inscribes the commandments upon them. This act of renewal signifies God's willingness to forgive and restore His people despite their failings.

The First Tablets, therefore, serve as a foundational element in the biblical narrative, illustrating both the holiness of God's law and the depth of His grace. They remind believers of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the ever-present need for repentance and divine forgiveness.