The Ten Commandments were part of the Mosaic Law. That Law code included over 600 commandments and formed the terms of an agreement, or covenant, between God and the ancient nation of Israel. (Exodus 34:27) God promised the people of Israel that they would prosper if they obeyed the Mosaic Law. (Deuteronomy 28:​1-​14) However, the main purpose of the Law was to prepare the Israelites for the promised Messiah, or Christ.​—Galatians 3:​24.