So I made an ark of acacia wood, chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. So I made an ark of acacia woodThe phrase begins with Moses recounting his obedience to God's command to create a new ark. The "ark" here is a sacred chest, a tangible symbol of God's covenant with Israel. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "aron," which signifies a chest or box. The use of "acacia wood" is significant; acacia is a durable and resistant wood, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's covenant. Acacia trees were common in the Sinai region, making the material both practical and symbolic of God's provision in the wilderness. and chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals
Moses "chiseled out" the tablets, indicating his active participation in the renewal of the covenant. The Hebrew verb "pasal" means to hew or cut, emphasizing the labor and care involved. The "two stone tablets" are central to the covenant, representing the law given by God. These tablets were "like the originals," signifying continuity and restoration after the breaking of the first set. This act of chiseling reflects repentance and a return to God's commands. and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands
Moses "went up the mountain," a phrase that denotes approaching God, as mountains often symbolize divine presence in Scripture. The act of ascending signifies Moses' role as mediator between God and Israel. The "two tablets in my hands" underscores the personal responsibility and dedication Moses had in carrying God's law. This imagery of Moses with the tablets highlights the gravity and sacredness of the law, as well as the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leader. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites and the one who receives the Law from God. He is tasked with making a new set of stone tablets after the first were broken. 2. Ark of Acacia WoodThis refers to the container Moses made to house the new stone tablets. Acacia wood is known for its durability and resistance to decay, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's covenant. 3. Two Stone TabletsThese tablets represent the Ten Commandments, which are the core of God's covenant with Israel. Moses chiseled them out to replace the ones he broke in anger. 4. The MountainThis is Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb), where Moses received the Law from God. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant. 5. The IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who are the recipients of the Law and the covenant. Their relationship with God is central to the events described. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceMoses' actions in making the ark and chiseling the tablets demonstrate obedience to God's commands. We are called to obey God's Word, even when it requires effort and sacrifice. God's Mercy and RenewalThe replacement of the tablets signifies God's willingness to renew His covenant with His people despite their failures. This teaches us about God's grace and the opportunity for repentance and renewal in our own lives. Symbolism of the ArkThe ark made of acacia wood symbolizes the enduring nature of God's promises. We can trust in the reliability and permanence of God's Word. The Role of LeadershipMoses' leadership is characterized by humility and dedication. As leaders in our communities, we should strive to follow his example by prioritizing God's instructions and serving others faithfully. The Significance of the LawThe tablets represent God's moral and ethical standards. Understanding and applying these principles is crucial for living a life that honors God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the process of making the ark and chiseling the tablets teach us about the nature of obedience to God? 2. How does the renewal of the tablets reflect God's character, and how can we apply this understanding to our own experiences of failure and forgiveness? 3. In what ways does the symbolism of the ark of acacia wood encourage us to trust in the permanence of God's promises? 4. How can Moses' example of leadership inspire us to lead with humility and dedication in our own spheres of influence? 5. How do the Ten Commandments, as represented by the stone tablets, continue to influence our understanding of God's expectations for moral and ethical living today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 34This chapter provides a parallel account of Moses receiving the second set of tablets, emphasizing God's mercy and the renewal of the covenant. Hebrews 9This New Testament passage discusses the Ark of the Covenant and its significance, drawing connections between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant through Christ. Jeremiah 31This prophecy speaks of a new covenant written on the hearts of God's people, contrasting the physical tablets with a more intimate relationship with God. People Aaron, Eleazar, Jaakanites, Jakan, Levi, MosesPlaces Beeroth Bene-jaakan, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Jotbathah, Moserah, SinaiTopics Acacia, Acacia-wood, Ark, Ascended, Chiseled, Cut, Former, Grave, Hands, Hewed, Mount, Mountain, Ones, Onto, Shittim, Stone, Stones, Tables, Tablets, WoodDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 10:3 1651 numbers, 1-2
4528 trees
5583 tools
7306 ark of the covenant Deuteronomy 10:1-3 4366 stones Deuteronomy 10:1-5 5574 tablet Deuteronomy 10:3-5 5102 Moses, life of Library Election and Holiness
Now, this morning it may be that some of you will not approve of what I have to say. You will remember, however, that I do not seek your approbation, that it will be sufficient for me if I have cleared my conscience concerning a grand truth and have preached the gospel faithfully. I am not accountable to you, nor you to me. You are accountable to God, if you reject a truth; I am accountable to Him if I preach an error. I am not afraid to stand before His bar with regard to the great doctrines which …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860Book iii. The Ascent: from the River Jordan to the Mount of Transfiguration.
{hebrew} In every passage of Scripture where thou findest the Majesty of God, thou also findest close by His Condescension (Humility). So it is written down in the Law [Deut. x. 17, followed by verse 18], repeated in the Prophets [Is. lvii. 15], and reiterated in the Hagiographa [Ps. lxviii. 4, followed by verse 5].' - Megill 31 a. …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Parable of the Importunate Widow.
^C Luke XVIII. 1-8. ^c 1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man [an utterly abandoned character]: 3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of [rather, Do justice to me as to] mine adversary. [In Scripture language widowhood is symbolic of defenselessness (Ex. xxii. 22-24; Deut. x. 18; xxvii. 19; Mal. iii. 5; Mark xii. 40), …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision B. Jesus Talks with Nicodemus. ^D John III. 1-21. ^d 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by a prudence amounting almost to timidity. At John vii. 50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as in any way interested in him: at John xix. 38, 39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathæa had secured the body. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 10:3 NIVDeuteronomy 10:3 NLTDeuteronomy 10:3 ESVDeuteronomy 10:3 NASBDeuteronomy 10:3 KJV
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