At first blush, this incident appears to be an example of Moses' inability to control his temper. Breaking the tablets, however, was not just a fit of fury for Moses. Yes, Moses was angry, livid even. But he was making a point. Breaking the tablets was a concrete way for Moses to depict the consequences of Israel's idolatry. Shattering the tablets was a way for Moses to show that Israel had shattered the covenant with God.
While God had committed to blessing and protecting the Israelites, they had not kept their end of the covenant, which required obedience to God's commandments.
To fully understand the story, it is necessary to look at the events leading up to Moses' outburst, what kind of idolatry Israel was practicing, and how shattering the tablets was a symbol of more than just anger.
The Preceding Events
The story begins with Moses leading the people out of Egypt. After 50 days of wandering in the wilderness, Moses and the people arrived at Mt. Saini, where God revealed the covenant.
At first, God spoke not only to Moses but to the whole people. God gave the Ten Commandments verbally to Moses in the hearing of the whole community. The sight of the cloud, the sound of God's voice, the peals of thunder, and the smoke on the mountain were finally too much for the people, however. With chattering teeth and weakened knees, they asked Moses to speak to God for them. Listening to God was terrifying.
Then Moses ascended the mountain, leaving the people below. For 40 days, God detailed how this new society, one rooted in his law, would work. God gave direction on offerings and ordinances, personal injuries and property rights. He described the Ark of the Covenant and implements for the Tabernacle. On completion of the instructions, God gave Moses two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments inscribed on them (Exodus 19:8).
During the 40 days, however, the people had become impatient. Not knowing what had happened to Moses, the people came to Moses' brother Aaron, demanding he take action. In response, Aaron gathered gold from the people and constructed a golden calf from the gold he gathered from the people. With shocking gall, he proclaimed, "Here is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry was a betrayal of the God who had delivered them from slavery.
Why a Golden Calf?
Golden calves were a common idol in the time of the Exodus, often representing the Canaanite deity Baal, whose worship was associated with fertility rites, ritual prostitution, and even human sacrifice. By creating a golden calf, Aaron and the Israelites were crediting Baal, not YHWH, for their liberation from Egypt. This blasphemy sparked God's anger, and he was ready to destroy the people. Moses interceded for the people, however, pleading for God's mercy.
Moses' Anger and the Breaking of the Tablets
After praying for the people, Moses descended the mountain with the tablets in hand. When he saw the people worshiping the golden calf, he was filled with righteous anger. The sight of their idolatry—so soon after God had delivered them—was too much for him to bear. In his fury, Moses smashed the tablets to pieces, symbolizing the fact that the people had already broken the covenant they had agreed to just days before.
Moses' actions were not just an uncontrolled outburst. Like many prophets, Moses used visual symbols to convey a deeper message. Breaking the tablets was a prophetic act, a way of physically demonstrating that Israel had shattered their agreement with God. The tablets represented the covenant, and by smashing them, Moses was showing the people the gravity of their sins.
The covenant was, like the tablets, shattered. An ancient reader of the story would have understood that well. For example, in a nearby culture, the phrase "break the tablet" meant repudiation of the terms of a contract. [1]
Through their idolatry, the people had repudiated the covenant.
What Kind of Idolatry?
The idolatry of the Israelites was not just about creating a false god; it was a direct rejection of God's command to have no other gods before Him. They returned to the familiar idol worship they had likely witnessed in Egypt, adopting practices that were an affront to everything God had just commanded. This idolatry, especially in the form of a golden calf, was an insult to YHWH and His covenant with them.
What Happened After the Tablets Were Broken?
After breaking the tablets, Moses swiftly cleansed the camp of idolatry. He destroyed the golden calf, burned it, and ground it into powder, which he scattered on water and made the Israelites drink (Exodus 32:20, NIV). This act symbolized their complete rejection of the idol and served as a stark reminder of their rebellion.
Moses then returned to God, interceding once again on behalf of the people, asking God for forgiveness. God responded with mercy, but He also imposed consequences for their sin. Later, God instructed Moses to return to the mountain, where He would rewrite the commandments on new tablets, restoring the covenant (Ex 34:1, NIV).
What Can We Learn From This Episode?
The story of Moses breaking the tablets teaches us a powerful lesson about the seriousness of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God. When the Israelites became impatient and turned away from God, they created something to worship that they could control—a golden calf. We, too, are prone to do this when we don't trust God's timing or His plans.
Moses' anger was righteous, but it was also symbolic. By breaking the tablets, he showed the people—and us—that breaking faith in God has serious consequences. But God's response also demonstrates His mercy. Even though the people sinned gravely, God did not abandon them. He restored the covenant, showing that His faithfulness endures, even when ours does not.
In conclusion, Moses broke the 10 Commandments because the people had already broken their covenant with God through their idolatry. His act was both an expression of his anger and a prophetic symbol of Israel's failure. This serves as a reminder to us of the importance of remaining faithful to God, even when we don't understand His timing or plans.
[1]John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ex 32:19.
