01.01. Proclamation Of The Law

PROCLAMATION OF THE LAW 1.Date.

1.    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; Gen 7:6; Gen 11:10-32; Gen 12:1-4; Acts 7:1-4),

2.    and it was (430) four hundred and thirty years from these events to the exodus (Exo 12:40-41; Gal 3:17).

3.    It was (50) fifty days from the exodus to to proclamation of the law (Exo 12:37; Exo 16:1-2; Exo 19:1-25; Exo 20:1-17; Num 33:3).

2.The Ten Commandments. These commandments were proclaimed by the Lord, in person, from Mount Sinai (Exo 19:1-25; Exo 20:1-17; Heb 12:18-20). They, 1.required strict submission to the one true and living God;

2.    prohibited idolatry in all forms;

3.    prohibited the taking of the name of the Lord in vain;

4.    required the keeping of the Sabbath;

5.    required the people to honor their parents;

6.    prohibited murder;

7.    prohibited adultery;

8.    prohibited stealing;

9.    prohibited the bearing of false witness;

10.    and prohibited covetousness (Exo 20:1-17).

These commandments were subsequently given to Moses on tables of stone In order that he might teach them to the people (Exo 24:12), and preserve them (Exo 31:18). These tables were deposited in the ark of the Lord for safekeeping (Deu 10:1-5; Heb 9:4). These commandments were called

11.    "the words of the covenant," because they constituted the basis of the covenant between the Lord and his people (Exo 20:1-17; Exo 34:28);

12.    "the testimony," because they constantly testified to the fact that the Lord had spoken to them (Exo 20:1-17; Exo 25:16);

13.    "the tables of the covenant," because the words of the covenant were written upon them by the finger of God (Exo 31:18; Exo 32:15-16; Deu 9:7-11).

3.    Laws Given Previously. The law proclaimed by Jehovah from Mount Sinai was the first law that was ever given for a whole nation. Laws had previously been given to individuals only:

1.    the law prohibiting the use of the fruit of the three of life (Gen 2:16-17);

2.    the law of marriage (Gen 2:24);

3.    the law of sacrifice (Gen 4:1-7; Heb 11:4);

4.    the law against eating blood, and murder (Gen 9:4-6);

5.    and the law of circumcision (Gen 17:1-14).

Two reasons are given for the keeping of the sabbath day:

6.    the resting of the Lord on the seventh day;

7.    the deliverance of the Hebrews from bondage (Exo 20:8-11; Deu 5:12-15).