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This Covenant of God was contained in the great commandments - one each for each of the fingers of a man's hands. The commandments themselves were born by those same hands in the ark containing the covenant: the two tables of stone, "written with the finger of God" . And the Lord Himself, dwelt in the very midst of His people: by day "in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way", and by night "in a pillar of fire" (144:1) The people at that time had their God, and the covenant of God: His commandments. They could see the one, and touch the other (144:2) Thus dwelt the Lord with his children. As ages passed and mankind grew in its powers, it received at every stage from its Father, through the prophets, the perfect measure of divine guidance. The myriad ordinances and exhortations, that were to succeed and supplement the commandments written in stone, formed the pattern of their lives. God's chosen people abided in service to their Lord through sacred rituals, through strict adherence to law and rules, and through the fear of the Lord, for "that is wisdom" . Life, in its entirety, was viewed primarily as this earthly life; the meanings, purposes, and fruits of life were to be reaped here on earth. Victory or defeat in battle, a plentiful harvest or a devastating plague, were the direct results of obedience or lack of obedience to God's will. Indeed, all the days of one's earthly life and the consequences of one's life were determined by obedience to God's will and by the degree of one's faithful adherence to divine commandments: (144:3) Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever. Deuteronomy 4:40 (144:4) Little was spoken of spiritual qualities and eternal life. Yes, they were mentioned, but it was not the focus of God's message (144:5) There are many truths which we may know that we cannot and should not mention to a child because they are not mature enough in their development to properly understand and assimilate them. Later as adults, however, we can tell them the same truths with great benefit and without harm. Thus, it was left to a later age to receive from God's own divine Son, on whom descended the "dove" enshrining the "spirit of God" , the message of the spiritual Kingdom and everlasting life
(144:6)
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