In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they [into] the wilderness of Sinai. Ver. 1. _Into the wilderness of Sinai._] A place where were many bushes and briers. Here they received the law, which, like briers and brambles, pricketh... [ Continue Reading ]
For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come [to] the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. Ver. 2. _For they were departed._] _See Trapp on "_ Exo 18:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ver. 3. _And Moses went up._] _See Trapp on "_ Exo 3:12 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Ver. 4. On eagles' wings.] The eagle beats her young ones out of their sluggish nest, that they may learn to fly: there was somewhat to do to bring Israel out of Egypt. The eagle carries... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:_ Ver. 5. _If ye will obey my voice indeed._] As I am good to you in deed, and not in pretence or profession only. Nathanael was "an Isra... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Ver. 6. _A kingdom of priests._] A holy state, such as shall be all satiated with fatness. Jer 31:14 _See Trapp on "_ 1Pe 2:9 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Rev 1:6 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. Ver. 7. _Laid before their faces._] Or, Plainly proposed the mind of God. So did Paul. _παρατιθεμενος_ _, _ Act 17:3 So must ministers.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Ver. 8. _All that the Lord hath spoken._] _Sed, quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu!_ How easily over estimate we our own abilities! _Polliciti... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. Ver. 9. _And believe thee._] Without suspicion of an imposture; such as was that of Mohammed.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, Ver. 10. _Sanctify them to day and to morrow._] Men must come before God with the best preparation they can get. He will be sanctified in all them that draw nigh unto him. This... [ Continue Reading ]
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. Ver. 11. _Against the third day._] That is, three days hence, on the day of Pentecost.... [ Continue Reading ]
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, [that ye] go [not] up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: Ver. 12. _That ye go not up into the mount._] God loves at once familiarity and fear, s... [ Continue Reading ]
There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether [it be] beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. Ver. 13. _They shall come up to the mount,_] i.e., To the bottom of the mount, to the foot thereof. Exo... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. Ver. 14. _And they washed their clothes._] In token of washing their hearts, and "cleansing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit." The Gentiles also washed, that they might go... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at [your] wives. Ver. 15. _Be ready against the third day._] If the word of a command expected such readiness, what shall the word of promise? &c. _ Come not at your wives._] For the legal uncleanness that was in it, Leviticus 1... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that [was] in the camp trembled. Ver. 16. _There were thunders and lightnings._] The law was delivered... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. Ver. 17. _To meet with God._] Who "came with ten thousands of his saints," as Moses, that climbed up that hill, and alone saw it, says. Deu 33:2 And if he thus gave the law, how shal... [ Continue Reading ]
And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. Ver. 18. _The Lord descended upon it in fire._] This fire wherein the law was given, is still in it, and will never ou... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. Ver. 19. _Moses spake._] Yet not without horror. Heb 12:21... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses [up] to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. Ver. 20. _And Moses went up._] As a mediator between God and his people. Gal 3:19 Act 7:38 A mediator Moses was, not of redemption, as Christ that "Mediator o... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. Ver. 21. _And many of them perish._] As the men of Bethshemesh did for prying into the ark. 1Sa 6:19 _Arcana Dei, sunt Arca Dei:_ God's secrets are his ark. _Eorum quae... [ Continue Reading ]
And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. Ver. 22. _And let the priests._] The firstborn of the family, which before the Levitical law had the priesthood. _ Sanctify themselves._] With a singular care, above that of the rest of... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. Ver. 23. _The people cannot come up,_] _i.e., _ _Siquid ego aut capio, aut sapio,_ they cannot: that which I know not teach thou me.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. Ver. 24. _Away, get thee down._] _Abundans cautela non nocet._ It is fit that men should... [ Continue Reading ]