Bible Question:
Duely read... the question remains. The authority you cite, Ex 19:16 to 20:23 does not seem to provide a clear "Yes" or "No" answer to the question. You obviously think it does; why else would you have answered the question by simply pointing to that passage? If so, if you do believe there is a clear cut answer in this passage, then I am not bright enough to get it and am asking for your assistance in pointing this out to me. Thanks for being available, and may your name be written in the Book of Remberance, daily. Stan Scott |
Bible Answer: Hi In Exodus 20.1 you will find that it says "And God spoke all these words saying." And then he gave them the essence of the Sinaitic covenant which included the ten words from God, what you call the ten commandments. Thus it is clear that God did 'speak the ten commandments'. This covenant in Exodus 20.1-17 is in the format of a Suzerainty treaty similar to those which were made in the time of Moses. A suzerainty treaty was a treaty between an overlord and the people whom he had 'come to help' because they were in bondage. That was always how conquerors described their activities. But in God's case it was genuinely so It begins with a description of the Overlord 'I am the LORD (YHWH) your God'. That is then followed by what He has done for them, 'Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage'. That is then followed by the Overlord's requirements, in this case the 'ten words'. You will note that once the ten words have been given the accompanying phenomena terrify the people as His words have also clearly done and they ask that they might not have to listen to Him again (verse 19). In future they want Moses to receive God's words rather than receiving them themselves. In verse 22 God confirms to the people through Moses, 'You have seen yourselves that I have talked with you from Heaven.' In Deuteronomy 4.12 we read, 'then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form. There was only a voice, and He declared to you His covenant,which He commanded you to perform, even the ten words'. Compare Deuteronomy 5.4, 'Moses said to them, " The LORD spoke with you face to face at the mountain ". Again in Deuteronomy 5.22 says, 'These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud and the thick darkness, with a loud voice, and He added no more" And it was when they had heard His voice that they asked that they might be spared from hearing it again (Deuteronomy 5.23-27). Thus it is constantly emphasised that they actually hear His words for themselves In Him |