What Tablets Were Given?
In the biblical narrative, the giving of tablets to Moses on Mount Sinai is one of the most significant events in the history of Israel. These tablets were not mere stone slabs; they embodied God’s covenant, law, and guidance for His people. Understanding what tablets were given requires examining their content, purpose, divine origin, and lasting spiritual significance.
1. The Context of the Tablets
After leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses brought the people to Mount Sinai, where God called him to receive instructions:
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Exodus 19–20: God appeared in a cloud, fire, and thunder, emphasizing His holiness and authority.
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The Israelites were to prepare themselves for God’s revelation, showing reverence and obedience.
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It was here that God gave Moses two tablets of stone inscribed with His commandments, often referred to as the Tablets of the Covenant.
These tablets served as a tangible sign of God’s law and His covenant with Israel.
2. The Divine Origin of the Tablets
The tablets were unique because they were directly written by God Himself:
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Exodus 31:18: “When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.”
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Finger of God: This phrase signifies that the commandments were divinely inscribed, not written by human hand, symbolizing their ultimate authority and sacredness.
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The divine authorship highlighted that the law was not subject to human modification and reflected God’s holy and perfect will.
3. Content of the Tablets
The tablets contained the Ten Commandments, the moral and spiritual foundation for Israel:
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First Commandment: Worship only God.
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Second Commandment: Do not make or worship idols.
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Third Commandment: Do not misuse God’s name.
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Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
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Fifth Commandment: Honor your father and mother.
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Sixth Commandment: Do not murder.
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Seventh Commandment: Do not commit adultery.
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Eighth Commandment: Do not steal.
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Ninth Commandment: Do not give false testimony.
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Tenth Commandment: Do not covet.
These commandments were ethical, spiritual, and social laws designed to guide Israel in holiness, justice, and communal harmony.
4. Purpose of the Tablets
The tablets served multiple purposes:
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Covenantal Sign: They represented the covenant between God and Israel, showing that the people were chosen to follow His laws.
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Moral and Spiritual Guidance: The commandments provided a framework for ethical living and spiritual devotion.
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Visible Reminder of God’s Presence: The tablets were placed inside the Ark of the Covenant, making them a continual symbol of God’s presence among His people.
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Foundation for Law and Justice: They formed the basis for Israel’s civil and religious life, integrating divine will into daily practice.
5. The Tablets and Human Failure
Despite their divine origin, the first set of tablets was shattered:
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Exodus 32: While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Israelites created a golden calf and worshiped it.
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In anger and grief, Moses broke the tablets.
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This act symbolized human disobedience and covenant breach, showing that even divine instructions require faithful obedience.
God later instructed Moses to carve a second set of tablets, which were rewritten by God’s hand (Exodus 34:1), emphasizing both God’s justice and mercy.
6. Spiritual Significance of the Tablets
The tablets symbolize several key spiritual truths:
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God’s Authority: The commandments are divinely established, not merely human rules.
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Covenant Relationship: The tablets represent the binding agreement between God and His people.
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Moral Foundation: They provide ethical guidance that transcends time and culture.
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God’s Presence: Kept in the Ark, the tablets remind believers that obedience to God aligns human life with divine purpose.
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Need for Faithfulness: The breaking of the first tablets underscores the consequences of disobedience and the importance of repentance.
7. Legacy of the Tablets
The tablets continue to have enduring significance:
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In Judaism, they are central to understanding the Torah and Israel’s covenantal obligations.
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In Christianity, they are seen as a moral foundation, fulfilled and expanded through Christ’s teachings.
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Symbolically, they remind all believers that divine guidance is both sacred and demanding, requiring devotion, obedience, and integrity.
Conclusion
The tablets given to Moses on Mount Sinai were two stone slabs inscribed by the finger of God containing the Ten Commandments. They represented God’s covenant, moral and spiritual guidance, and His abiding presence among Israel. The tablets served as both a tangible and spiritual reminder of the divine law, emphasizing obedience, holiness, and covenantal faithfulness. Even when broken due to human disobedience, they were restored, reflecting God’s mercy and the enduring importance of His commandments. Today, the tablets remain a symbol of divine authority, ethical living, and the sacred bond between God and His people.