The First Written Law Of God: Exodus 24

is exodus 24 the first written law of god

Exodus 24 is a passage in the Bible that contains the beginning of the written Law of God, which was to be used by Israel to keep His commandments. The Law was first spoken by God and then written by Him on two tablets of stone, which were placed in the Ark of the Covenant. The Law was given to the prophet Moses, who brought it down from Mount Sinai to the Children of Israel, God's chosen people. The Ten Commandments form the basic laws of this written Law, with the various laws being specific examples or applications of these commandments. While Christians no longer live under the Old Testament Law of Moses, the New Testament, given through Jesus, reiterates all except one of the Ten Commandments.

Characteristics Values
The first written law of God The Ten Commandments
Who were God's chosen people? The Children of Israel
Who were the laws given to? Prophet Moses
Where were the laws given? Mt. Sinai
When were the laws given? Three months after the people's deliverance from the Egyptians
What was God's promise to the Children of Israel? They would be a peculiar treasure to Him, and that He would bless and prosper them
What is the Bible? The story of God, the earth, and humanity; it is the story of what has gone wrong, what God has done to fix it, and what the future holds under God's plan
What is the English word for the Hebrew word Torah? Law
What is the meaning of law in Exodus? Torah or a set of specific instructions that are part of the covenant
What is Exodus? A book filled with remarkable stories like a baby boy saved from death, a burning bush that God spoke out of, and terrible plagues of judgment
What are some laws in Exodus? "Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep It Holy", "Honor Your Father and Your Mother", "When you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for six years; then in the seventh he is to leave as a free man without paying anything"

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The Ten Commandments

The specific commandments included:

  • "I AM THE LORD THY GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME."
  • "THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN."
  • "KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY."
  • "HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER."
  • "THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOUR."

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The Sabbath Day

The Sabbath commandment in Exodus is viewed as a picture of the seventh day of creation, with the desire to recover that situation motivating its keeping. It is also seen as a reminder of Israel's liberation from bondage in Egypt, with God's display of power during the exodus establishing his identity as the Creator. The exodus from Egypt serves as a motivator for the Israelites to keep the Sabbath, and the Sabbath, in turn, serves as a reminder of the exodus.

The Catholic Church considers the commandment to remember and keep the Sabbath holy as essential to observing the command to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind." Catholic teaching emphasizes the holiness of the Sabbath day and views it as an example for humans to rest and protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money.

The concept of the Sabbath day as a day of rest is still important for modern-day believers, but they are not obligated to keep the Sabbath. While Christians traditionally worship on the first day of the week, this is not the Sabbath rest given to Israel. The biblical Sabbath begins on Friday at sundown and ends on Saturday at sundown.

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Honouring parents

The Bible is not just a moral codebook for Christians but is the story of God, the earth, and humanity. Exodus is an integral part of Scripture, and within it, we find the Ten Commandments, which are God's first written Law, given to his chosen people, the Children of Israel, through the prophet Moses.

The Fifth Commandment, "Honour thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12), is the first commandment that deals with our obligations to other people, rather than our obligations to God. Honouring parents is about more than just lip service; it requires an attitude of respect and practical action.

The Bible offers several examples of how to honour parents, including:

  • Visiting them and inviting them to events and vacations.
  • Honouring them through our character and the way we live our lives.
  • Honouring them through discipline and obedience, which can develop into respect and love as we experience their wisdom and provision.
  • Giving them money or material things.
  • Showing them affection and cherishing them.
  • Honouring them through trust in God.

The Bible also outlines the consequences of dishonouring parents, which can include curses, a lack of blessings, physical violence, and robbery.

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The Ark of the Covenant

God's first written law was given to his chosen people, the Children of Israel, through the prophet Moses. The law began with the Ten Commandments, which were later written on tables of stone by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18). The Ark of the Covenant, also known as the Ark of the Testimony or the Ark of God, was a religious storage chest and relic held sacred by the Israelites. It was built by the Israelites under the supervision of Moses, as instructed by God. The Book of Exodus in the Bible, specifically in chapters 25 to 31, mentions that the construction was carried out by Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. Bezalel was assisted by Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

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The Torah

The Ten Commandments, which form the foundation of the Mosaic Law, were first spoken by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:9-25). They were then written by God on two tablets of stone, also known as the tables of testimony (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 30). These tablets were placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:21; Deuteronomy 10:5), becoming a central part of Israel's worship.

While Christians no longer live under the Old Testament Law of Moses, Jesus reiterated all but one of the Ten Commandments during his time on Earth. The exception was the commandment regarding the Sabbath Day, which Christians now observe on Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Exodus 24 is the first written law of God, which was given to his chosen people, the Children of Israel, through the prophet Moses.

The first written law of God began with the Ten Commandments, which were written on tablets of stone by the finger of God.

The Ten Commandments are the basic laws, of which various laws are specific examples. An example of a basic law is "Thou shalt not steal".

The Ten Commandments were written down so that they could be passed down from one generation to another.

The covenant describes the relationship that God has established between himself and his people by virtue of his act of deliverance on their behalf.

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