“At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.”
Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah. It was written by Moses as a series of speeches delivered to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy serves as a reminder of God’s covenant with His people and provides instructions for living according to His commandments.
Explanation: In Deuteronomy 10, Moses recounts the events following the Israelites’ worship of the golden calf. This incident took place during the time when Moses had ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God. However, while Moses was away, the people grew impatient and made a golden calf to worship as their god.
As a result of their disobedience, God became angry and threatened to destroy the Israelites. Moses interceded on their behalf, and through his pleading, God showed mercy and forgave them. However, the original tablets containing the Ten Commandments were shattered in response to the people’s sin.
In verse 1, God instructs Moses to hew two new tablets of stone, similar to the first ones that were broken. The tablets were to be brought up to the mountaintop where Moses would meet with God. Additionally, Moses was commanded to make an ark of wood to house these tablets. This ark of the covenant would be a sacred container for the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were inscribed.
The significance of this command was two-fold. First, it demonstrated God’s willingness to restore the covenant with His people despite their disobedience. Second, it emphasized the importance of the commandments and the need to preserve and honor them.
Application:
- Obedience and Repentance: The incident of the golden calf serves as a reminder that obedience to God’s commandments is crucial. We should strive to be faithful to God and repent when we fall short. God is gracious and merciful, willing to forgive us when we turn to Him in repentance.
- God’s Faithfulness: Despite the Israelites’ unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to His covenant. Similarly, in our lives, even when we stumble or fail, we can trust in God’s faithfulness and His willingness to restore us.
- Respect for God’s Word: The ark of the covenant symbolized the reverence and respect the Israelites were to have for God’s commandments. As believers, we should also hold God’s Word in high esteem, recognizing its authority in our lives and seeking to live in accordance with its principles.
- Gratitude for God’s Mercy: The fact that God provided a way for the Israelites to receive a new set of tablets highlights His mercy and willingness to restore broken relationships. We should be grateful for God’s mercy in our lives and respond with love, devotion, and obedience.
Conclusion:
Deuteronomy 10:1 reminds us of God’s willingness to restore and renew His covenant with His people. It emphasizes the importance of obedience, repentance, and reverence for God’s commandments. Ultimately, this verse points to the mercy and faithfulness of God and encourages us to live in a manner that honors and glorifies Him.
