“And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.”
(Deuteronomy 10:5)
The Lord gave Israel His law, written on tables of stone, for a sign of His covenant with them. But during the 40 days Moses was meeting with God on the mountain receiving His law, His people fashioned a golden calf to worship, thereby corrupting themselves before the Lord.
When Moses returned to the camp and realized what the people had done, he threw the tables of stone to the ground, breaking them before their eyes … not in uncontrolled anger but as a solemn sign that the covenant had been violated by their grave sin, and that they stood guilty before Almighty God.
For those who belong to God, sin is not just a mistake or a weakness, but a breaking of covenant. It is rebellion against His authority, disobedience to His law, and ingratitude against His mercy. Israel had seen God’s power, had been delivered from Egypt, and had heard His voice. Yet they turned aside to idol worship. Their sin was great, and Moses later calls them to remember it so they would be humbled before God and learn obedience.[1]
Being reminded of sin is useful when it leads to humility, repentance, and a greater dependence upon God’s mercy. We are naturally inclined to forget our sins, to excuse them, or to think lightly of them. But Scripture often calls us to remember our sinful ways, not to drive us to despair but to keep us humble and thankful for His mercy.
Though the covenant was broken, Moses fasted and prayed and interceded with God on behalf of His people. And as a result, God commanded him to carve out new tables of stone, and the law was written again. These tables were then placed in the ark, the place representing atonement, affirming that the covenant would continue by God’s mercy.
This narrative points forward to Jesus Christ, our eternal Mediator, who kept the law perfectly and who now intercedes for His people before the throne of God. Indeed, the law of God that condemns sinners was fully satisfied in Christ, allowing God’s people to experience His gracious covenant mercy instead of His judgment.
Contemplations:
- I Remember My Sin Before You. Lord, I have sinned against You and broken Your law. To keep me from growing proud or careless, I ask that You keep the remembrance of my sin before me that I may stay dependent upon Your mercy.
- I Confess My Guilt Before You. Father, I confess that I have not kept Your commandments but have sinned in thought, word, and deed. I have failed to love and obey You as I ought. I confess my guilt and ask for mercy.
- I Remember Your Mercy. Lord, I am thankful that though I have sinned, You are merciful. You forgive and restore because of the work of Christ, my Savior and Mediator.
- I Look to My Mediator. Lord Jesus, You kept the law on my behalf, and You intercede for me before the Father. Therefore, my hope is in You alone.
Prayer (Confession)
Holy and righteous God, I confess that I have sinned against You and broken Your law. Your commandments are holy, just, and good, but I have not kept them as I ought. I have sinned in thought, in word, and in deed. I have not loved You with all my heart, nor loved my neighbor as myself. I have often chosen my own will instead of Yours, and my own ways instead of obeying Your commandments.
Lord, if You should mark iniquities, I could not stand for I have no righteousness of my own to plead before You. I confess my guilt and my sin before You, and I ask for mercy.
Thank You for providing a Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ, who kept the law perfectly and who intercedes for sinners. I ask that You forgive me for His sake, and that You renew me by Your Spirit.
Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Write Your law upon my heart, and cause me to walk in Your ways. Make me humble, obedient, and watchful over my life. And keep me near to Christ, walking in repentance and faith all my days.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References Deut. 10:5:
1 Kings 8:9; Exodus 40:20; Exodus 34:29; Deuteronomy 9:15
[1] John Calvin, Commentaries on the Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Form of a Harmony, vol. 3 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 397–399.
