“And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.”
Context: Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, which were written by Moses. This verse is part of Moses’ retelling of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their interactions with God.
Historical Background: This event took place after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt and were on their way to the Promised Land. Moses had gone up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God.
The Golden Calf Incident: The incident described in Deuteronomy 9:17 refers to the moment when Moses came down from the mountain and found the Israelites worshiping a golden calf that they had made. This incident is recorded in Exodus 32. The people had grown impatient waiting for Moses and Aaron and asked Aaron to make them a god to worship. Aaron yielded to their request and fashioned a golden calf, which the people then worshiped.
Moses’ Response: When Moses saw the Israelites worshiping the golden calf, he was filled with righteous anger. In his zeal for God’s holiness and the people’s unfaithfulness, he took the two tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written, which God had given him, and threw them down, breaking them before the people’s eyes.
Symbolism and Significance: Moses breaking the tablets symbolized the Israelites’ breaking of the covenant with God through their idolatry and disobedience. The tablets represented the written agreement between God and His people, and by breaking them, Moses visually demonstrated the people’s violation of the covenant and the severe consequences of their actions.
God’s Mercy and Moses’ Intercession: Despite the people’s sin, Moses interceded on their behalf before God, pleading for His mercy and forgiveness. Moses’ actions also served as a call to repentance for the people, urging them to recognize the seriousness of their sin and turn back to God.
Lessons for Us: This incident teaches us several important lessons. First, it reminds us of the seriousness of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God. It also highlights the need for leaders who are willing to stand for righteousness and confront sin. Additionally, it reveals God’s mercy and His willingness to forgive when we repent and seek His forgiveness.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 9:17 recounts the moment when Moses, in his righteous anger, broke the tablets of the Ten Commandments upon seeing the Israelites’ worship of the golden calf. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry, while also revealing God’s mercy and the importance of repentance and intercession.
