During the trial under this covenant, the other nations were governed and dealt with as in a state of total and avowed rebellion, under condemnation, and obnoxious to the demands of justice. Pursuant to this system, the nations of Canaan were first destroyed. After Egypt, Assyria was for a long time the head of the rebellious party; then Babylon, and subsequently the four empires predicted in Daniel. All the nations and governments of that party were idolatrous. This was the leading feature in their character as apostates and rebels. And to this, by their relations to them, the Israelites. The Messenger Jehovah, having executed judgment upon Egypt, and brought the children of Israel into the wilderness of Sinai, appeared on the top of the mount in the brightness of lightnings, and with the voice of a trumpet which shook the mountain. The people, who, after witnessing the wonders of Egypt and of the Red Sea, had exhibited a murmuring and rebellious spirit, were impressed and awed by this manifestation, while the Law of the Ten Commandments was announced. "They removed and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear, but let not Elohim speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not; for _the_ Elohim is come _to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not_. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where _the_ Elohim was. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me Elohe of silver, neither shall ye make unto you Elohe of gold. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings and thy peace offerings ... in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." Exod. xx. Thus, at the outset of this trial, under the most appalling tokens of his presence, Jehovah reiterates the prohibition expressed in the first two commandments against idolatry. Among the judicial laws prescribed at the same time with the moral, there is one making idolatry a civil offense, to be punished with death. "He that sacrificeth unto any Elohim, save unto Jehovah only, he shall be utterly destroyed." Exodus xxii. 20. Again (xxiii. 13) they are enjoined to "make no mention of the name of any other Elohim;" and subsequently in the same chapter they are commanded not to bow down to the Elohim of the nations of Canaan, but to overthrow them and break down their images. Moses having written out the moral and judicial laws thus far prescribed, the people consented to them and promised obedience; and having built an altar, and "twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel," he offered sacrifices, read the book of the covenant, and ratified it by sprinkling blood on the people. Exod. xxiv.