First Time Around

I noticed a fascinating detail recently in my read through Exodus.

When Moses brought the first draft of the Ten Commandments down from the mountain, God did all the work.  Exodus 32:16 says that both the inscription and the actual tablets were the work of God.  Apparently, God Himself cut the stones out of the rock and personally hand designed the original tablets.  All Moses had to do was deliver them once he got down the mountain.

Unfortunately, when Moses made it back to the camp, he found the people of God indulging in idolatry.  In his frustration and disbelief, he slammed the stones to the ground.  They shattered on impact.

God summoned Moses back to the mountain for a do-over in Exodus 34:1.  In His mercy and patience, He provided Moses with a Revised Edition of the Ten Commandments.  Only this time, Moses had to chisel the two stone tablets himself.  God would provide the inscription, but this time, Moses would have to do the arduous work of carving the stones.  After all, Moses was responsible for destroying the first set of tablets.  Now he would have to take responsibility for the construction of the new ones.  You break it, you buy it.  Or something like that.

God has a gracious exchange policy.  But sin comes with a steep restocking fee.

When we break the laws of God, He graciously gives second chances. But it's so much easier to do it right the first time around.