Exodus 19-24

This section describes the giving of the 10 Commandments (and other laws). The story is told in the form of a marriage covenant. The Israelites are at the base of Mount Sinai. God's record of romance toward Israel is mentioned (19:4), His proposal is made (19:5-6) & their acceptance of the proposal is recorded (19:7-8). The covenant is conditional (IF they obey THEN they will be God's treasured possession, a Kingdom of Priests). The covenant was confirmed amidst thunder, lightning & trumpet blasts. We know, of course, from the NT that Israel did not keep the covenant and this 'kingdom' was taken from them and given to the church (Matthew 21:43, 1 Peter 2:9).


My discussion of the 10 Commandments can be found HERE. Briefly, the first 4 commandments focus on our relationship to God. The last 6 commandments focus on our relationship to fellow man. The rest of the section deals with both details and additional laws regarding servants, personal negligence, property rights, social responsibility, Sabbath, holy-days. Much of our (U.S.) law is founded in these 'Mosaic' laws. The people accept these terms and Moses made a written record of the covenant (24:3-4). The people had been hearing the voice of God give these commands, but passionately asked that Moses mediate, for fear of God's voice.