And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
Conditional upon shame ('if they be ashamed'), God commands comprehensive instruction: 'shew them the form... fashion... goings out... comings in... forms... ordinances... laws.' The repetition emphasizes thoroughness—nothing withheld. The instruction must be written ('write it in their sight') for permanence and accuracy. The purpose: 'that they may keep the whole form... and do them.' Revelation aims at obedience, not mere knowledge. The phrase 'the whole form' warns against selective obedience—God's standards form an integrated whole. Reformed theology emphasizes the regulative principle: worship according to Scripture alone, not human innovation. The command to write it recalls Moses writing the law (Exodus 24:4, Deuteronomy 31:9), ensuring accurate transmission across generations. God provides His Word clearly, completely, and permanently so His people can obey without excuse.
Historical Context
Written revelation distinguished Israel from oral-tradition-based ancient cultures. Moses wrote the law (Deuteronomy 31:24-26), prophets' words were recorded (Jeremiah 36:1-4, Isaiah 8:16), and exilic/post-exilic communities treasured written Scripture (Nehemiah 8:1-8). The command to write the temple vision parallels Habakkuk's instruction to 'write the vision, and make it plain upon tables' (Habakkuk 2:2). Written text prevents distortion across time and distance. The exiles, who maintained identity through Scripture during captivity (Daniel 9:2 references Jeremiah's writings), understood written revelation's importance. The comprehensive detail ('all the forms... all the ordinances... all the laws') prevented innovative worship corrupting true worship—the error that led to exile. This principle continues in New Testament apostolic teaching (2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6, 2 Timothy 1:13-14).
Questions for Reflection
How seriously do you study God's written Word to know 'the whole form' rather than selected favorite passages?
What does comprehensive obedience ('keep the whole form... do them') look like versus selective compliance with convenient commands?
Does this verse challenge worship innovation not grounded in Scripture—adding human traditions to divine ordinances?
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Analysis & Commentary
Conditional upon shame ('if they be ashamed'), God commands comprehensive instruction: 'shew them the form... fashion... goings out... comings in... forms... ordinances... laws.' The repetition emphasizes thoroughness—nothing withheld. The instruction must be written ('write it in their sight') for permanence and accuracy. The purpose: 'that they may keep the whole form... and do them.' Revelation aims at obedience, not mere knowledge. The phrase 'the whole form' warns against selective obedience—God's standards form an integrated whole. Reformed theology emphasizes the regulative principle: worship according to Scripture alone, not human innovation. The command to write it recalls Moses writing the law (Exodus 24:4, Deuteronomy 31:9), ensuring accurate transmission across generations. God provides His Word clearly, completely, and permanently so His people can obey without excuse.