within it is embodied not alone
something of the true history of this people, but an account also of
their struggle against an older religion. At this time the Israelites
had practically commenced the elimination of the female principle from
their god-idea, and had begun the worship of the male element, the
female being represented by an ark, chest, or box. This ark, as the
receptacle of the god, was still a holy thing.

Not only among the Israelites, but among other nations of the East, we
find the devotees of the male god beginning to assume a position quite
independent of the beliefs of their fathers. At this time great towers
or pillars begin to be erected in honor of this deity, which is figured
as the "God of Life," or as the "Lord of Hosts." Notwithstanding the
fact that the story of the Exodus contains much historical truth, it is
altogether probable that the priests have used it, as they did that of
the flood, to conceal their religious doctrines.

At the time of the Exodus, the Israelites were ignorant tribes without
laws or letters, and while in Egypt were menials of the lowest order.
Hence, the laws written on the two tables of stone, and which it is
claimed were elaborated during their wanderings in the wilderness of
Sinai for the guidance of these unlettered slaves, show the desire
of the priests of later times to invest the "chosen people" with the
insignia of enlightenment.

Regarding the character of the god which they worshipped, we have
ample proof in the Old Testament. It is plain that at the time of their
bondage in Egypt the Jews had become the grossest phallic worshippers,
adoring the emblems of generation, with no thought of their earlier
significance as pure symbols of creative force in mortals.

The fact will doubtless be remembered that, among the Jews, to be barren
was the greatest curse, and that the principal reward promised to the
faithful was fruitfulness of body. The essence of this deity was heat or
passion, and his emblem was the serpent or an upright stone. It has
been observed that when this "Lord" was invested with personality he
was subject to all the frailties of his followers. His chief and most
emphatic characteristic, however, was jealousy of other gods, and most
of the imprecations thundered against the chosen people were directed
against the worship of the gods of surrounding nations, those which the
Israelites had originally worshipped.

That portion of the Decalogue re