By Water & Blood

Questions on Exodus 68: Why Moses smashed the tablets

Why did he smash the tablets?

Judging the people unworthy of the divine legislation. For since the tablets had the type of a dowry document, and the bride before the bridal chamber turned aside into adultery, very reasonably he tore up the dowry document.

One should also note that then, having received the entreaty, the God of all deferred the punishment. But he added: “On whatever day I visit, I will bring upon them all their sin.” This is like what was said by the Apostle: “Not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance; but according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on a day of wrath and revelation and just judgment of God, who will render to each according to his works.”

The lawgiver, however, hearing that the God of all would not endure to be with them because of their hardness and stubbornness, but would set an angel over them, asked to know who had been entrusted with their care; and he begged him not to give them a fellow-slave as leader, but that the Master himself lead them. And when the good God promised to give him this grace too, intoxicated with a praiseworthy love, he longed for things beyond human measure and desired to see the unseen nature; but he learned that to see that substance is impossible. “For no one has ever seen God,” according to the Lord’s word—but the divine economies and energies. For thus one should understand the “backsides” of God: it is possible for those perfect in virtue after the manner of Moses to behold them; and not even for these casually, but for those set by God himself into the rock. This signifies the firm and unshaken character of faith; and through the cleft of the rock—this shows the eye of faith beholding things unreachable and unseen by the senses’ eyes.