Book of Deuteronomy - Chapter 9 - Verse 10
Meaning
When the verse says "And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God," it is referring to the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The tablets were believed to symbolize the covenant between God and the Israelites. The phrase "written with the finger of God" emphasizes the divine origin and significance of the commandments. The second part of the verse describes how the words on the tablets were the exact words spoken by God to the Israelites during their assembly at Mount Sinai. This reinforces the importance and validity of the commandments as they were directly dictated by God himself.
Theological Overview
In this verse, Moses recounts the moment when God gave him the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone. The fact that the commandments were written by the finger of God signifies their divine origin and importance. The tablets symbolize the covenant between God and the people of Israel, outlining the moral and ethical guidelines they were to live by. The commandments were not just human laws but were directly dictated by God Himself, establishing a sacred and unchanging standard for behavior. The phrase "according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly" emphasizes the gravity of the moment when God spoke to Moses and the Israelites, underscoring the solemnity and authority of the commandments. This verse highlights the divine inspiration and the eternal significance of the Ten Commandments as a foundation for faith and ethical living.