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Book of Deuteronomy - Chapter 10 - Verse 1

10:1
At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.

Meaning

When the LORD instructed Moses to hew two tables of stone like unto the first and come up to the mount with them, He was reaffirming the importance of the Ten Commandments that were originally written on the first set of tablets. The act of instructing Moses to create a new set of tablets signifies the renewal of the covenant between God and His people. The Ten Commandments are seen as the foundation of moral and ethical behavior for believers, serving as a guide for living a righteous life. The ark of wood mentioned in the verse is to be built to house the tablets and serve as a place of reverence and worship for the Israelites. By creating these physical objects, God was providing His people with tangible reminders of His laws and His presence among them. This verse highlights the significance of the commandments in the lives of believers and the importance of upholding them in their daily conduct.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Deuteronomy 10:1, the LORD instructs Moses to carve two new stone tablets to replace the ones he had previously smashed in anger. The emphasis here is on the symbolism of the tablets as a physical representation of the covenant between God and His people. The repetition of the command to make tablets "like unto the first" emphasizes the need for continuity in the relationship between God and the Israelites despite their past transgressions.

The phrase "make thee an ark of wood" is also significant in its theological implications. The ark served as a repository for the tablets, highlighting the sacred nature of the covenant and its importance in the lives of the Israelites. The use of wood for the ark further symbolizes the connection between the physical and the divine, as wood is a material that is both earthly and spiritual in nature.

Overall, this verse highlights the importance of physical objects in religious worship and the significance of symbolism in conveying spiritual truths. Through the creation of the stone tablets and the wooden ark, the Israelites were reminded of their covenant with God and the need to uphold their end of the agreement.

American Standard Version

At that time Jehovah said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
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