Exodus 31:18
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Exodus 31:18
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Chapter Context
Exodus 31 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, wisdom, holiness. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-18: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 31:18
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Analysis
God gives Moses two stone tablets 'written with the finger of God'—divine authorship, permanent record. These tablets containing the ten commandments testify to God's covenant, His moral law, His character. Stone suggests permanence; God's law is unchanging. The finger of God indicates direct divine action, as at creation. Christ fulfills this law perfectly, becoming the living Word that the stone tablets foreshadowed (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Historical Context
These first tablets would be broken when Moses saw Israel's idolatry (Exodus 32:19), requiring a second set. The contrast between stone tablets (law) and Spirit-written hearts (New Covenant) appears in 2 Corinthians 3.
Reflection
- How does Christ fulfill the law 'written in stone'?
- What is the difference between law on stone tablets and law written on hearts by the Spirit?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Exodus 8:19, Luke 11:20, 2 Corinthians 3:3
- References Moses: Exodus 24:12
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 4:13, 5:22