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Where is it Written in Stone?

by Steve Klein

Our culture deplores unchangeable rules. We don't like prohibitions and restrictions, and so we want to be able to alter or eliminate them. This attitude is so prevalent that car dealers actually attract buyers with the boast that when it comes to dealing with them, "the rules have changed." 

Often those desiring to change rules will ask, "Where is it written in stone" that something must be done a certain way? The implication is that if it isn't "written in stone," it wasn't meant to be permanent to begin with, and it is therefore subject to change.  The cry, "Where is it written in stone?" expresses the desire of man's heart to change rules or procedures.

So, rules are changed constantly in virtually every area of modern life. Some are changed because they are bad or inadequate; more often, they are changed because it's inconvenient to keep them, they aren't being kept anyway, or somebody complained enough.

The rules or laws God gave the Israelites in ancient times actually were written in stone. They were literally delivered on "two tablets of stone" and were "written with the finger of God" (Deuteronomy 9:10; cf. Exodus 34:1).  Choosing the medium of stone as a writing material emphasized the relative permanence of these laws. By writing with His own finger, the Lord indicated that these laws were of divine origin, unalterable by human hands.

The Lord Himself did eventually change those rules.  He took the "handwriting of ordinances...out of the way, having nailed it to his cross." (Colossians 2:14). He decided to give His people new rules as part of a new covenant. He declares, "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Hebrews 8:10). Notice that the new laws would still be written by God and thus be unalterable by man. But they are not written on tablets of stone. They are written on human hearts. 

God's laws today are on the hearts of His covenant people. Since God has written them there, they are not subject to change by humans.  But more than that, because they are written on our hearts, we do not want to change them.  You see if we are truly God's people, His laws are part of us.  They are what we want to do!  Regarding His laws, we would never begin to ask, "Where is it written in stone?" because there is no desire within us to change His rules.

Those today who attempt to alter the laws of the New Testament to suit themselves are demonstrating that they are not God's people.  They do not have God's laws in their hearts.

 Other Articles by Steve Klein
The Perfect Fool
The Behind the Back Pass
Are You in Christ?