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)

Moses' Shining Face

Dr. Couch, the first time Moses went up on the mountain and received the Law from God, the Bible does not mention his face shining from seeing the Lord. But the second time he went up, it says in Exodus 34:29-35 that his face shone from speaking with Him. What is the difference? ANSWER:  Moses broke the first set of Law tablets because of the sin of the people in the valley when he came down from the mountain. He went back up and was given a second set of tablets. Then it says "the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with the Lord" (Exod. 34:29). Aaron and the people "were afraid to come near him" (v. 30). Because of their fear Moses had to put a covering over his face to calm their hearts.    One good explanation comes from Unger who writes that the first giving of the Law was totally legal, while the second giving was "mixed with divine grace and glory." This seems to be demonstrated in Exodus 33:5-11, for it says that when Moses appeared before the people, as shown with the pillar of cloud descending, they all stood "and worshipped, each at the entrance of his tent" (v. 10). At least for awhile, they had learned their lesson about the holiness of their God. These chapters were "learning" chapters about who their Lord was. In their encounter with Moses and God, Aaron reminded the Lord that the people "are prone to evil" (32:22).    God's people must recognize the Lord's judgment and His grace. There is not the one without the other. As sinners, we are due judgment, but Christ went to the cross to provide grace. "Don't mess with the Lord, as Israel did!" Where would we be without His grace and mercy?    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

Does Dispensationalism Require Belief That The Ten Commandments Were Given to Only the Jewish People?

Dr. Couch, does dispensationalism require one to believe that the Ten Commandments were given to the Jewish people alone? How would you answer the charge of antinomianism that is often thrown at dispensationalists? 

 

    ANSWER:  First of all, the entire law, not just the Ten Commandments, were indeed given to Israel alone. Read your Bible! Don’t get mad at dispensationalists who can read! Remember, there are 613 commandments, not just ten. All of the moral principles that reflect the demands, and the character of God in the OT, are eternal in nature. While many are in the commandments, there are also many ceremonial laws that are no longer in effect. Every moral injunction however is carried over into the NT. Lust, murder, thievery, not loving our God, are still part of what Christians are to live by and honor today. 

    It is wooden-headed people who make such ludicrous charges against dispensationalism. They have not studied their own Bible, nor have they read what dispensationlism teaches. May I ask you, is the church today under the commandment of the Sabbath? Do we make animal sacrifice? Do we go up to Jerusalem o­nce a year for Passover? Well, we are not under the system of the Law, this is why we do not do those things. Since you don’t, you are a dispensationalist, and you understand the difference between the theocracy demands of the OT, and the fact that we are now under the dispensation of grace, not law. Please read what Paul says in Romans and Galatians about this issue, especially in Gal. 3:23-25. "But now that faith has come (the dispensation of grace) we are no longer under a tutor (the law)" (v. 25). I didn’t write this, Paul did! 

   Thanks for asking.

   Dr. Mal Couch