The Writings of God

“The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.” [1] Isn’t that amazing? God took the time to engrave the Ten Commandments onto stone tablets.

As I read this passage, I thought of the time that religious leaders brought an adulterous woman to Jesus. They referred Jesus to the Law of Moses, saying that she should be stoned. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. [2] This was also the hand of God writing down something for people to read.

When the religious leaders continued asking Jesus about His interpretation of the Law of Moses, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” [3]

“Again He [Jesus] stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.” [4] The Bible does not tell us what Jesus wrote on the ground, but it tells us the impact of His writing. The religious leaders were convicted by their consciences and left.

The sins of the religious leaders involved misrepresentation of God and His Word. Jesus identified them as blind guides. He said that their proselytes were twofold children of hell. [5]

The religious leaders of Israel had a long history of falling short of God’s glory. For example, in Exodus 29-30, the Lord gave Moses instructions on how Aaron and his sons, as priests to the Lord, should be sanctified, be dressed and serve Him. But in Exodus 32, Aaron made an idol of gold. When Moses confronted Aaron about his error, Aaron blamed his sin on the people, saying, “You know the people that they are set on evil.” He told Moses that he cast gold into the fire, and the calf came out. [6]

The Bible says that Aaron had not restrained the people. [7] Calling people to repent of sin and to restrain themselves from sin is one of the ministries of the priest and prophet of God. “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

This is why it is important to read the Bible for oneself. Be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what you are being taught by religious leaders lines up with Scripture! [8]

The writings of God contain both Law and Gospel. The Law says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” [9]

Jesus said to the woman, “’Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” [10]

The Law shows us our sin. The Gospel shows us our Savior. Jesus our Savior did not condemn the woman but told her to go and sin no more. His writings convicted the consciences of the religious leaders and they left. His grace offered to the woman caught in adultery forgiveness. Many believe that this woman was Mary Magdalene, who became a follower of Jesus.

[1] Exodus 32:16
[2] John 8:3-6
[3] John 8:7
[4] John 8:8-9
[5] Matthew 15:14; 23:15
[6] Exodus 32:22, 24
[7] Exodus 32:25
[8] 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
[9] Acts 17:10-12
[10] John 8:10-11