When Moses had been given all the instructions needed for the preparation of Israel's worship facilities, G-d gave him "the two tables of the Pact." It is probable that these two tables contained neither the stipulations for the worship materials nor the Covenant Code, but merely the ten Commandments. When he replaced them after having destroyed the original set, the tables of the testimony obviously contained only the "ten commandments" (34:28-29). In fact, in that place, the expression "ten commandments" really reads "ten words." It is therefore quite likely that the original written version of these Commandments was very brief, probably containing nothing but the basic statement of each commandment.
The expression "written with the finger of G-d" might offer a possible problem. It may be quite literal. Therefore G-d would have actually written upon the tablets of stone. On the other hand, the expression "This is the finger of G-d," used in 8:19, would indicate that the expression may have referred to the power of G-d at work in and through a dedicated human, Moses. Further, when the tablets were replaced, G-d told Moses, "I will write upon the tables the words that were on the first tables" (34:1). But when it was actually accomplished, it was done for Moses at God's command (34:27-28). Either way, the point is the same: The message came from G-d and with His authority.
While Moses was on the mountain, there had been an extended period of revelation from G-d. How it came about is immaterial. Certainly Moses came to that place with all sorts of experience upon which G-d could and did draw. While he was being trained in Egypt, Moses would have learned the lawcodes of Egypt and those nations with whom she was involved. He also wouldhave known great deal about the land toward which they were going. With that knowledge, Moses could offer to G-d a fertile seedbed for the revelation of what Israel was to do and to be in the light of the world in which they existed. In whatever ways G-d may have used Moses' knowledge andtraining, it is sure that our G-d never wastes any part of man's experiences.
Shalom U'Bracha (peace and blessings),
Thomas
