Jehovah Gives His Laws

 Note: I may be putting the cart before the horse here, but, oh well, it lets you know how the Ten Commandments came about. Thank you for your patience. 

ABOUT two months after they left Egypt, the Israelites came to Mount Sinai, which is also called Hor'eb.  This is the same place where Jehovah spoke to Moses from the burning bush.  The people camp here and stay for a while.

As the people wait below, Moses climbs the mountain. Up  there on top of the mountain, Jehovah tells his Moses that He wants the Israelites to obey Him and to  become His special people.  When Moses comes down, he tells the Israelites what Jehovah has said. And the people say they will obey Jehovah, because they want to be his people.

Jehovah now does a strange thing.  He makes the top of the mountain smoke, and causes loud thunder.  He also speaks to the people:  'I am Jehovah your God who brought you up out of Egypt.' Then he commands: "You must not worship any other gods except me.'

God gives the Israelites nine more commandments, or laws.  The people are very afraid.  They tell Moses: "You speak to us, because we are afraid that if Jehovah speaks to us we may die.'

Next time: Conclusion of Jehovah Gives His Laws

From the jw.org publications