Deuteronomy 10:1 - Meaning and Application

There were four ways God showed that he was reconciled to Israel and made them truly great and happy. In each one, his goodness turned their failure into a brighter display of his mercy.

First, he gave them his law, and he gave it to them in writing as a lasting sign of his favor. The first stone tablets had been broken, because Israel had broken the commandments, and God could justly have broken the covenant. Yet when his anger turned away, the tablets were renewed (Deuteronomy 10:1, 10:2). God’s law belongs in our reconciliation with him, and it is the best pledge of happiness in him. Moses is told to cut the tablets himself, because the law prepares the heart for grace through conviction and humility, but only grace can write the law in the heart.

Moses also made an ark of acacia wood (Deuteronomy 10:3), a simple chest, most likely the one in which the tablets were later kept. Exodus says Bezaleel made it (Exodus 37:1), because he later finished it and covered it with gold. Or Moses may be said to have made it because, when he went up the mountain the second time, he ordered Bezaleel to make it before he came down. It is worth noting that God first gave instructions about the ark (Exodus 25:10), so there would be a safe place for the law. God will send his law and gospel to hearts prepared like arks to receive them. Christ is the ark in which our salvation is now kept safe, so it will not be lost as it was in the first Adam, when it was in his own hand.

Notice, too, what God wrote on the two tablets, the Ten Commandments, or literally, the ten words (Deuteronomy 10:4). That shows how much truth was held in so little space. They were not ten volumes, but ten words. This was the same writing as before, and it matched exactly what God had spoken on the mountain. The second copy needed no correction. The written word is just as much God’s word as what he spoke through his prophets.

Notice also the care taken with it. These two engraved tablets were faithfully placed in the ark, and there they are, Moses says, likely pointing toward the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 10:5). What had been entrusted to him he handed on to them, pure and complete. Now they must guard it at their own risk. We can say the same to the next generation: God has entrusted us with Bibles, sabbaths, sacraments, and other signs of his presence and favor, and there they are. We pass them on to you (2 Timothy 1:13, 1:14).

Second, he led them forward toward Canaan, even though in their hearts they were turning back toward Egypt, and he could have chosen to let them have their own stubborn desires (Deuteronomy 10:6, 10:7). He brought them to a land of rivers and water out of a dry and barren wilderness. At times God supplied their needs through the ordinary course of nature. When that was not enough, he helped them by miracles. Even after all this, when they came into a little trouble, they distrusted him and complained (Numbers 20:3, 4).

Third, he appointed a regular ministry among them to handle holy things for them. When Moses went up the mountain the second time, or soon after, God told him to set apart the tribe of Levi for himself and for his direct service, because they had shown zeal against the worshipers of the golden calf (Deuteronomy 10:8, 10:9). The Kohathites carried the ark. They and the other Levites stood before the Lord to serve in the tabernacle, and the priests, who came from that tribe, were to bless the people. This was a lasting rule that had now stood for almost forty years, even to that day. God also made provision to continue it by giving that tribe settled support, so they could keep working without distraction. The Lord was their inheritance.

A settled ministry is a great blessing to a people, and a special sign of God’s favor. Since the same priests could not live forever, God also showed care for the people by securing a succession. Moses mentions this here (Deuteronomy 10:6). When Aaron died, the priesthood did not die with him. Eleazar, his son, served in his place and watched over the ark, where the tablets of stone, those precious stones, were kept safe from harm. There they are, and he has charge of them. Under the law, the ministry continued through a fixed line, tied to a certain tribe and family. But under the gospel, where the Spirit is poured out more fully and powerfully, the ministry continues through the Spirit’s work in people’s hearts, fitting and moving some in every generation for that service, so the name of Israel will not be erased.

Fourth, he accepted Moses as their advocate, that is, their intercessor, someone who speaks to God on their behalf, and for that reason appointed him their ruler and leader (Deuteronomy 10:10, 10:11). “The Lord listened to me and said, ‘Go ahead of the people.’” It was a mercy to Israel that they had such a faithful friend, true both to the God who appointed him and to the people for whom he was appointed. It was right that the one who had saved them from ruin through prayer should also have the command of them. In this, Moses was a picture of Christ, who always lives to intercede for us and who has all authority in heaven and on earth.