_MOSES CONTINUES TO RELATE HOW HE MADE THE SECOND TABLES AT THE LORD'S
COMMAND; AND EXHORTS THEM TO THE LOVE OF GOD, THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE
HEART, AND A REGARD FOR STRANGERS._
_Before Christ 1451._... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 1. _AND MAKE THEE AN ARK OF WOOD_— This order, given before
to Moses, was here repeated on account of the new tables which he was
to make to put into the ark. _And I made,_ in the third verse, can
only mean, according to a common mode of expression, _I ordered to be
made._... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 6, 7. _AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TOOK THEIR JOURNEY FROM
BEEROTH,_ &C.— Beeroth is rendered _wells_ by many. Calmet observes
on this passage, "It is, doubtless, very difficult for us to arrive at
Moses's purpose in reciting these words; but it is not always
permitted us to penetrate into the... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 8. _AT THAT TIME THE LORD SEPARATED THE TRIBE OF LEVI_— _At
that time_ means not long after Moses came down from the mount the
second time, ver. 5. Calmet supposes, that the sacred historian would
here insinuate, that the rebellion of Korah happening at Jotbath,
(upon which occasion God confi... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 10. _AND I STAYED IN THE MOUNT_— Moses here returns to that
which he began to say in the 5th verse, or, farther backward, in the
25th of the foregoing chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 12. _AND NOW, ISRAEL_— Moses here, applying what he had said,
exhorts the Israelites to obedience, by various motives taken from the
preceding benefits of God, ver. 10, 11. 22 from _His_ supreme
authority and _their_ dependance, ver, 14 from his particular care and
paternal tenderness towards... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 14. _BEHOLD, THE HEAVEN, AND THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS_— As much
as to say, "The whole universe is his: all people are under his
government. If he has chosen you, it is the pure effect of his grace."
The first heaven comprehends the atmosphere, and the space where the
sun, moon, and stars shine:... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 16, 17. _CIRCUMCISE, THEREFORE, THE FORESKIN OF YOUR HEART_—
The Targum of Jonathan renders this, _Cast away, therefore, the folly
of your heart;_ and the LXX, _the hardness of your heart._
Circumcision was an emblem of sanctification. See Genesis 17:11 and
the Reflections at the end of that... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 18. _HE DOTH EXECUTE THE JUDGMENT OF THE FATHERLESS AND
WIDOW_— See Exodus 22:22. God may be said to execute the judgment of
the fatherless and widow, not only by taking them under the especial
care of his providence, but by implanting compassion in the human
breast; which, as his voice, call... [ Continue Reading ]
_VER._ 21. _HE IS THY PRAISE_— That is, "It is he whom you ought to
praise without ceasing; or rather, it is he whose protection makes
your glory. Nothing in the world can or ought to appear more
honourable, than to have him for your God." See Psalms 106:20.
REFLECTIONS.—Mercies like those above men... [ Continue Reading ]