The LORD said to Moses, "Come up the
mountain to me, and while you are here, I will give you two stone
tablets which contain all the laws that I have written for the
instruction of the people."
(Exo 24:12 GNB)
The stone tablets
of the law were kept in the Ark of Testimony, in the Most Holy
place inside the tabernacle, under protection of the blood on the
mercy seat.
"Put the two stone tablets inside the
Box and put the lid on top of it." (Exo 25:21)
The stone tablets
of the law were also called the Testimony, or the
tablets of the Testimony. The ark which contained them was called
the
ark of the Testimony, and the tabernacle in which the ark was
placed,
the tabernacle of the testimony.
A testimony is
defined as evidence produced by a witness. On the day of
judgment,
the stone tablets of the law will testify against sin, on behalf of
God himself.
"Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of
breaking them all." (Jam 2:10)
The first four commandments that were written on the
stone tablets of the law revealed man's duty to God and the last
six commandments revealed man's duty to his fellow
men.
Jesus summarized it as follows:
" 'Love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the
greatest and the most important commandment. The second most
important commandment is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love
yourself.' The whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets
depend on these two commandments." (Mat 22:37-40)
The law is a type
of the Only One that ever kept the law, Jesus Christ.
Through Christ, God
gave us a new law that sets us free from the law of
death.
"You yourselves are the letter we have,
written on our hearts for everyone to know and read. It is clear
that Christ himself wrote this letter and sent it by us. It is
written, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, and
not on stone tablets but on human hearts." (2Co 3:2-3)
"For Christ has brought the Law to an end,
so that everyone who believes is put right with God."
(Rom 10:4)
"For the law of the Spirit, which
brings us life in union with Christ Jesus,
has set me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom
8:2)
This leaves us with
a responsibility:
"Speak and act as people who will be judged
by the law that sets us free." (Jam 2:12)
The stone tablets of the
law had their time. Now is the time of freedom!
