Proclamation Of The Law

Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia

1. Date . #It was (2083) two thousand and eighty-three years from the creation of Adam to the death of Terah or Abram's entrance into Canaan ( Genesis 5:3-32; Genesis 7:6; Genesis 11:10-32; Genesis 12:1-4; Acts 7:1-4 ), #and it was (430) four hundred and thirty years from these events to the exodus ( Exodus 12:40,41; Galatians 3:17 ). #It was (50) fifty days from the exodus to to proclamation of the law ( Exodus 12:37; Exodus 16:1,2; Exodus 19:1-25; Exodus 20:1-17; Numbers 33:3 ).
   # The Ten Commandments . These commandments were proclaimed by the Lord, in person, from Mount Sinai ( Exodus 19:1-25; Exodus 20:1-17; Hebrews 12:18-20 ). They, #required strict submission to the one true and living God; #prohibited idolatry in all forms; #prohibited the taking of the name of the Lord in vain; #required the keeping of the Sabbath; #required the people to honor their parents; #prohibited murder; #prohibited adultery; #prohibited stealing; #prohibited the bearing of false witness; #and prohibited covetousness ( Exodus 20:1-17 ).

   These commandments were subsequently given to Moses on tables of stone In order that he might teach them to the people ( Exodus 24:12 ), and preserve them ( Exodus 31:18 ). These tables were deposited in the ark of the Lord for safekeeping ( Deuteronomy 10:1-5; Hebrews 9:4 ). These commandments were called

   #"the words of the covenant," because they constituted the basis of the covenant between the Lord and his people ( Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 34:28 ); #"the testimony," because they constantly testified to the fact that the Lord had spoken to them ( Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 25:16 ); #"the tables of the covenant," because the words of the covenant were written upon them by the finger of God ( Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15,16; Deuteronomy 9:7-11 ).
   # Laws Given Previously . The law proclaimed by Jehovah from Mount Sinai was the first law that was ever given for a whole nation. Laws had previously been given to individuals only: #the law prohibiting the use of the fruit of the three of life ( Genesis 2:16,17 ); #the law of marriage ( Genesis 2:24 ); #the law of sacrifice ( Genesis 4:1-7; Hebrews 11:4 ); #the law against eating blood, and murder ( Genesis 9:4-6 ); #and the law of circumcision ( Genesis 17:1-14 ).

   Two reasons are given for the keeping of the sabbath day:

   # the resting of the Lord on the seventh day; #the deliverance of the Hebrews from bondage ( Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 ).