Proclamation of the Law:

1. Date.
   1. It was (2083) two thousand and eighty-three years from the creation of Adam to the death of Terah or Abram's entrance into Canaan (Genesis 5:3-32; Genesis 7:6; Genesis 11:10-32; Genesis 12:1-4; Acts 7:1-4),
   2. and it was (430) four hundred and thirty years from these events to the exodus (Exodus 12:40-41; Galatians 3:17).
   3. It was (50) fifty days from the exodus to the proclamation of the law (Exodus 12:37; Exodus 16:1-2; Exodus 19:1-25; Exodus 20:1-17; Numbers 33:3).
2. The Ten Commandments. These commandments were proclaimed by the Lord, in person, from Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1-25; Exodus 20:1-17; Hebrews 12:18-20). They,
   1. required strict submission to the one true and living God;
   2. prohibited idolatry in all forms;
   3. prohibited the taking of the name of the Lord in vain;
   4. required the keeping of the Sabbath;
   5. required the people to honor their parents;
   6. prohibited murder;
   7. prohibited adultery;
   8. prohibited stealing;
   9. prohibited the bearing of false witness;
   10. and prohibited covetousness (Exodus 20:1-17).
   These commandments were subsequently given to Moses on tables of stone in order that he might teach them to the people (Exodus 24:12), and preserve them (Exodus 31:18). These tables were deposited in the ark of the Lord for safekeeping (Deuteronomy 10:1-5; Hebrews 9:4).

   These commandments were called "the words of the covenant," because they constituted the basis of the covenant between the Lord and His people (Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 34:28).

   They were called "the testimony," because they constantly testified to the fact that the Lord had spoken to them (Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 25:16).

   The tables of stone were called "the tables of the covenant," because the words of the covenant were written upon them by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Deuteronomy 9:7-11).



3. Important facts—Laws Given Previously. The law proclaimed by Jehovah from Mount Sinai was the first law that was ever given for a whole nation. Laws had previously been given to individuals only:
   1. the law prohibiting the use of the fruit of the three of life (Genesis 2:16-17);
   2. the law of marriage (Genesis 2:24);
   3. the law of sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-7; Hebrews 11:4);
   4. the law against eating blood, and murder (Genesis 9:4-6);
   5. and the law of circumcision (Genesis 17:1-14).
   Two reasons are given for the keeping of the sabbath day:
   1. the resting of the Lord on the seventh day;
   2. the deliverance of the Hebrews from bondage (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15).