The Distinction of and the Abiding Importance of the 10 Commandments

Posted at King and Kirk:

Summarizing Turretin, Witsius etc., the moral law (or 10 commandments) is distinctly found in scripture as follows:

1) They are written by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18 & Deuteronomy 9:10) to establish their permanence (as opposed to the law of the heart which was effaced by the fall).
2) The stone tablets upon which they are written are placed in the ark (Exodus 25:21, Deuteronomy 10:2,5), the place of God’s presence.
3) Though the pot of manna and staff of Aaron were eventually lost (Exodus 16:33-34, Numbers 17:10 & Hebrews 9:4), the law or 10 commandments remained as a steadfast reminder of God’s enduring character and requirements for his people (1 Kings 8:9).
4) They are rewritten after the rebellion indicating their continued importance place as a moral guide (Exodus 34:1ff).
5) They are republished or reiterated by Moses for another generation (Deuteronomy 5:6) and applied anew (vs. 15) in light of God’s redemptive acts.
6) Like circumcision etc., they are identified as the covenant of God (Exodus 34:28) because these are central to our relationship with him.
7) They are numbered so that these are distinguished from all others (Exodus 34:28). Jesus summarized them as two for “on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
8) These are promised to be written in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).
9) The moral law is upheld while, in the same breath, the ceremonial is abolished (Psalm 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:4-10).
10) They are cited and upheld by Jesus in critical times of his ministry and teaching.

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HT: The Worship Blog