Two Set of Ten Commandments

Dr. Couch, when Moses went back up on the mountain, did he not receive a completely new set of stones with new ten commandments on them? Why the two? And are they not different? ANSWER:  The people in their gross sins "broke" the Ten Commandments previously given to them from the Lord, delivered by Moses. Moses then "shattered the first set of tablets at the foot of the mountain" (Exod. 32:19). He went back up and remained for "forty days" and "he wrote on the [new] tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments" (34:28). He then came "down from the mountain" with the new tablets in his hand (v. 29). There is no indication that the Commands on the new tablets were any different than before.    You asked, "Is there any comparison between the two sets?" And the answer is No! The breaking of the tablets is symbolic that the people by their sins destroyed the commandments. The people were "prone to evil" (32:22); they had "committed a great sin" (v. 30). They had "sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play" (v. 6).    The Lord told Moses "I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them, and that I may destroy them; ..." (vv. 9-10). But Moses interceded with them before God and they were spared.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Apr., 10)