_A.M. 2513. B.C. 1491._ Four instances of the return of God's favour we have in this chapter. (1,) _ The orders he gives to Moses to come up to the mount the next morning, and bring two tables of stone with him, Exodus 34:1._ (2,) _ His meeting him there, and the proclamation of his name, Exodus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hew thee two tables of stone like the first_ Before, God himself both provided the tables and wrote on them; now, Moses must prepare the tables, and God would only write upon them. This might be intended partly to signify God's displeasure on account of their sin; for though he had pardoned them, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord descended_ By some sensible token of his presence, and manifestation of his glory. He descended _in the cloud_ Probably that pillar of cloud which had hitherto gone before Israel, and had the day before met Moses at the door of the tabernacle.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Lord passed by before him_ Fixed views of God are reserved for the future state; the best we have in this world are transient. _And proclaimed the_ name of the _Lord_ By which he would make himself known. He had made himself known to Moses, in the glory of his self- existence and self-suffi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Moses made haste and bowed his head_ Thus he expressed his humble reverence and adoration of God's glory, together with his joy in this discovery God had made of himself, and his thankfulness for it. Then likewise he expressed his holy submission to the will of God, made known in this declarati... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, I pray thee go among us_ Thus Moses prays for the things God had already promised, not as doubting the sincerity of God's grants, but as one solicitous for the ratification of them. But it is a strange plea he urges; _for it is a stiff-necked people_ God had given this as a reason why... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold I make a covenant_ When the covenant was broken, it was Israel that broke it; now it comes to be renewed, it is God that makes it; if there be quarrels, we must bear all the blame; if there be peace, God must have all the glory. _Before all thy people I will do marvels_ Such as the drying up... [ Continue Reading ]
_Observe that which I command thee_ We cannot expect the benefit of the promises unless we make conscience of the precepts. The two great precepts are, 1st, _Thou shalt worship no other gods_ A good reason is annexed; _for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God _ As tender in the matters... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take heed to thyself_ It is a sin thou art prone to, and that will easily beset thee; carefully abstain from all advances toward it; _make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land_ If God, in kindness to them, drove out the Canaanites, they ought, in duty to God, not to harbour them: If they es... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is a repetition of several appointments made before, especially relating to their solemn feasts: when they had made the calf, they proclaimed a feast in honour of it; now, that they might never do so again, they are here charged with the observance of the feasts which God had instituted. _Thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thrice in the year shall all the men-children appear_ But it might be suggested, when all the males from every part were gone up to worship in the place that God should choose, the country would be left exposed to the insults of their neighbours; and what would become of the poor women and children... [ Continue Reading ]
_He_, God, _wrote._... [ Continue Reading ]
_The skin of his face shone_ At this time of his being in the mount, he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was, in some measure, changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid_ It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Moses put a veil on his face_ This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the l... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil_ Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glor... [ Continue Reading ]