Exodus 32:15: “Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.”

Extended Explanation

Exodus 32:15 describes the moment when Moses, after interceding for the Israelites, begins his descent from Mount Sinai. He carries with him the two tablets of the covenant law, also known as the Ten Commandments. These tablets, inscribed by God Himself, are a physical representation of the covenant between God and His people. The detail that the tablets were inscribed on both sides emphasizes their completeness and significance. Moses’ descent marks a shift in the narrative, moving from the divine interaction between God and Moses to the impending confrontation with the Israelites over their idolatry.

Historical Context

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, which was being established at Mount Sinai. After delivering the Israelites from Egypt, God brought them to Sinai to give them His law, which would govern their relationship with Him and each other. Moses had been on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights, receiving detailed instructions from God, including the Ten Commandments, which were written on the stone tablets. During this time, the Israelites grew impatient and turned to idolatry, making a golden calf to worship. Unaware of this rebellion, Moses was descending with the tablets that symbolized the very covenant the people had broken.

Theological Implications

Theologically, Exodus 32:15 underscores the importance of God’s law as the foundation of the covenant between God and His people. The tablets represent more than just a set of rules; they symbolize the relationship between God and Israel, a relationship based on obedience, holiness, and worship of the one true God. The fact that the tablets were inscribed on both sides suggests that the law was all-encompassing, leaving no room for ambiguity or neglect. Moses carrying these tablets down the mountain also highlights the role of a mediator, as Moses is the one who brings God’s word to the people.

Literary Analysis

Literarily, this verse serves as a transitional moment in the narrative. The imagery of Moses descending the mountain with the tablets creates a sense of anticipation and foreboding. The focus on the tablets being inscribed on both sides adds to the weight and seriousness of what Moses carries—not just physical stone, but the very words of God. This verse sets up the dramatic confrontation that will soon follow, where the significance of the law Moses brings will be contrasted with the disobedience of the people below.

Biblical Cross-References

Several other passages in the Bible connect with the themes in Exodus 32:15:

• Exodus 31:18: This verse describes how God gave Moses the tablets, emphasizing that they were inscribed by the finger of God.
• Deuteronomy 9:10-11: Moses recounts receiving the tablets and how they were written by God’s hand.
• 2 Corinthians 3:3: Paul contrasts the tablets of stone with the new covenant, where God’s law is written on the hearts of believers.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For today’s Christian, Exodus 32:15 serves as a reminder of the seriousness and holiness of God’s law. It challenges believers to respect and uphold God’s commands, recognizing them as the foundation of a relationship with Him. This verse also highlights the importance of receiving and carrying God’s word faithfully, as Moses did, and applying it to our lives. It encourages Christians to consider how they can be faithful carriers of God’s truth, both in understanding it and living it out.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse reflects God’s love in giving His people a clear and direct revelation of His will through the law. The tablets of the covenant were a gift from God, intended to guide the Israelites into a life of blessing and relationship with Him. By inscribing the law Himself, God demonstrates His personal commitment to the covenant and His desire for His people to know and follow Him. Even as the people were sinning below, God’s love is evident in His provision of the law, which was meant to lead them into a life of righteousness and peace.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Exodus 32:15 points forward to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the law that Moses carried down the mountain. While the law given on tablets of stone was central to the old covenant, Jesus established a new covenant where the law is written on the hearts of believers (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10). Jesus is the mediator of this new covenant, just as Moses was the mediator of the old. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus not only fulfilled the law but also enabled believers to live according to God’s will by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse challenge you to respect and uphold God’s commandments in your own life?
2. What does it mean for you to be a faithful carrier of God’s word, as Moses was with the tablets?
3. How does understanding the law’s role in the old covenant deepen your appreciation for the new covenant in Christ?
4. In what ways can you apply the truths of God’s word to your daily life, ensuring that it guides your decisions and actions?

Exodus 32:15 reminds us of the importance of God’s law and the seriousness with which we should approach our relationship with Him. It calls us to respect and uphold His commands, and to see how they point us to the fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, who leads us into a new and living way with God.