Deuteronomy 5:22 - The Decalogue The Basis Of The Covenant, The Essence Of The Whole Law, And The Condition Of Life And

Moral Law.

I. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS A DISTINCT PART OF GOD 'S REVELATION .

1. They were spoken by God's own voice from the midst of the fire ( Deuteronomy 5:24 ).

2. They only were thus promulgated; "he added no more."

3. They were written on tables of stone.

4. They were deposited in the ark of the covenant ( Exodus 25:16 ). These facts show that they held a distinct place in the Law-giving at Sinai, and that they are not to be confounded with the ceremonial and judicial statutes, subsequently given.

II. THE GROUNDS OF THIS DISTINCTION . The Decalogue was:

1. An epitome of universal moral truth.

2. Internally complete as such—the first table laying down our duties to God, as respects his being, his worship, his Name, his day, his human representatives; the second forbidding all injury to our fellow-men (injuries to life, property, chastity, character), while requiring by implication the fulfillment of all positive duties, and the regulation even of our secret thoughts.

3. The basis of the covenant with Israel. The foundation on which all subsequent legislation was reared.—J.O.