PROCLAMATION OF THE LAW.

      (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 (Gen., 5:3-32; 7:6; 11:10-32; 12:1-4; Acts, 7:1-4), and it was (430) four hundred and thirty years from these [34] events to the exodus (Ex., 12:40, 41; Gal., 3:17). It was (50) fifty days from the exodus to to proclamation of the law (Ex., 12:37; 16:1, 2; 19:1-25; 20:1-17; Num., 33:3).

      (2). The Ten Commandments. These commandments were proclaimed by the Lord, in person, from Mt. Sinai (Ex., 19:1-25; 20:1-17; Heb., 12:18-20). They, (a) required strict submission to the one true and living God; (b) prohibited idolatry in all forms; (c) prohibited the taking of the name of the Lord in vain; (d) required the keeping of the Sabbath; (e) required the people to honor their parents; (f) prohibited murder; (g) prohibited adultery; (h) prohibited stealing; (i) prohibited the bearing of false witness; (j) and prohibited covetousness (Ex., 20:1-17). These commandments were subsequently given to Moses on tables of stone in order that he might teach them to the people (Ex., 24:12), and preserve them (Ex., 31:18). These tables were deposited in the ark of the Lord for safe-keeping (Deut., 10:1-5; Heb., 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 (Ex., 20:1-17; 34:28). They were called the testimony, because they constantly testified to the fact that the Lord had spoken to them (Ex., 20:1-17; 25:16). The tables of stone were called the tables of the covenant, because the words of the covenant were written upon them by the finger of God (Ex., 31:18; 32:15, 16; Deut., 9:7-11).

      (3). Important facts. The law proclaimed by Jehovah from Mt. Sinai was the first law that was ever given for a whole nation. Laws had previously been given to individuals only: (a) the law prohibiting [35] the use of the fruit of the tree of life (Gen., 2:16, 17); (b) the law of marriage (Gen., 2:24); (c) the law of sacrifice (Gen., 4:1-7; Heb., 11:4); (d) the law against eating blood, and murder (Gen., 9:4-6); (e) and the law of circumcision (Gen., 17:1-14). Two reasons are given for the keeping of the sabbath day: (a) the resting of the Lord on the seventh day; (b) the deliverance of the Hebrews from bondage (Ex., 20:8-11; Deut., 5:12-15).

[CBC 34-36]