Law of God
167
The first and second commandments spoken by Jehovah are pre-
cepts against idolatry, which if practiced would lead men to great
lengths in sin and rebellion, and result in the offering of human sac-
rifices. God would guard against the least approach to such abomi-
nations. The first four commandments were given to show men their
duty to God. The fourth is the connecting link between the great God
and man. The Sabbath especially, was given for the benefit of man,
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and for the honor of God. These last six precepts show the duty of
man to his fellow-man.
The Sabbath was to be a sign between God and his people forever.
In this manner was it to be a sign—all who should observe the Sabbath
signified by such observance that they were worshipers of the living
God, the Creator of the Heavens and the earth. The Sabbath was to be
a sign between God and his people as long as he should have a people
upon the earth to serve him.
“And the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the
noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people
saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses,
Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us,
lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, for God is
come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that
ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto
the thick darkness where God was. And the Lord said unto Moses,
Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I
have talked with you from Heaven.” The majestic presence of God at
Sinai, and the commotions in the earth occasioned by his presence, the
fearful thundering and lightnings which accompanied this visitation of
God, so impressed the minds of the people with fear and reverence to
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his sacred majesty, that they instinctively drew back from the awful
presence of God, lest they should not be able to endure his terrible
glory.
Again God would guard the children of Israel from idolatry. He
said unto them, “Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall
ye make unto you gods of gold.” They were in danger of imitating
the example of the Egyptians, and making to themselves images to
represent God.
The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I send an angel before thee,
to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I