When Moses promulgated the Ten Commandments, he stood at the peak of his success. Vitally important as was this portion of his career, his continuing task was to lead his wavering followers toward the Promised Land.
As his responsibilities increased, the Lord permitted him to select seventy men from among "the elders of the people" to act with him (see Num. 11:24, 25); yet even with this additional support, he was assailed by the doubts and questionings of the people.
In considering Moses' later years, it is important to note certain aspects of the organization which he established. Closely connected with the giving of the law was the preparation of the ark, a sacred box in which the tablets of the law were preserved and which was kept in the tabernacle, or tent, a portable sanctuary (see Ex. 25: 8, 9) used chiefly during the wilderness wanderings and described especially in the closing chapters of the book of Exodus.
