Problem: Moses writes that the Ten Commandments were “written by the finger of God” (Ex. 31:18). The Bible also teaches that God has an “arm” (Deut. 7:19), “wings” (Ps. 91:4), “nostrils” (2 Sam. 22:9), “mouth” (2 Sam. 22:9), and “eyes” (Heb. 4:13). Does God have a physical form?
Solution: These are all anthropomorphic figures of speech. The Bible also teaches that “God is spirit” (Jn. 4:24). As faithful interpreters, we need to interpret these figures of speech in light of these clear, didactic passages of Scripture. This is a principle of grammatical-historical hermeneutics; we need to interpret the unclear portions of Scripture in light of the clear.
“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Ex 31:18 KJV)
