Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Ten Commandments at Sinai

How was the law first given at Sinai? BR-ASI9 253.1

“God spake all these words, saying, . . . Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:1-3. BR-ASI9 253.2

How did God present the law to Israel in permanent form? BR-ASI9 253.3

“He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Exodus 31:18. BR-ASI9 253.4

Note.—The law of God, as well as the knowledge of creation, the plan of redemption, and the experiences of the early patriarchs, had been handed down from father to son until this time, but not in written form. He wrote the Ten Commandments upon two tables of stone with His own finger. BR-ASI9 253.5

How did Moses show that the children of Israel had broken their covenant with God? BR-ASI9 253.6

“It came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the [golden] calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” Exodus 32:19. BR-ASI9 253.7

With what exactness did the Lord write the law again? BR-ASI9 254.1

“He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the Lord gave them unto me.” Deuteronomy 10:4. BR-ASI9 254.2

Where did Moses place these two tables of stone? BR-ASI9 254.3

“I . . . put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the Lord commanded me.” Deuteronomy 10:5. BR-ASI9 254.4

What other law was given at this time? BR-ASI9 254.5

“When Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished.” Deuteronomy 31:24. BR-ASI9 254.6

Note.—Besides the ten-commandment law, the Lord gave to Moses instruction concerning the sanctuary service, which was ceremonial, and certain civil laws regulating the subjects of the nation. These laws were written by Moses in a book, and are called the law of Moses, whereas the other law was written on tables of stone with the finger of God. BR-ASI9 254.7