PREPARATION FOR THE GIVING OF THE LAW 1. The same day] the 15th day of the month: cp. Exodus 12:18; Exodus 12:29; Exodus 16:1. Marching slowly, with long halts at the various stations on the route, the host took two months to traverse the 150 m between Egypt and Sinai. Here they remained eleven mon... [ Continue Reading ]
I BARE YOU ON EAGLES' WINGS] God's grace and care were the source of Israel's duty of obedience and loyalty: see on Exodus 15:16. The image here employed to illustrate the watchful solicitude of God is true and beautiful. When the eaglets first attempt to fly, the parent bird is said to hover round... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE WILL OBEY] Although God's grace preceded the covenant (see previous v.), the latter was made upon condition of perfect obedience. But as the law only serves to accentuate man's feeling of inability to keep it, it becomes a 'schoolmaster to lead to Christ,' and the redemption that is by faith i... [ Continue Reading ]
A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS] a kingdom of which every member is consecrated to the service of God, and so 'a holy nation': see on Leviticus 20:24, The designation expresses also the high calling of Israel. They are to be the medium of communicating the knowledge of the divine nature and will to the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDERS] see on Exodus 3:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A THICK CLOUD] No one, not even Moses, is able to gaze upon the unveiled majesty of God: see Exodus 3:6; Exodus 33:20; Leviticus 16:2; Judges 13:22. Hence when He appears it is in a cloud, which becomes the symbol and vehicle of the divine presence: see Judges 13:21, also Numbers 11:25; 1 Kings 8... [ Continue Reading ]
SANCTIFY THEM] bid them sanctify themselves. The outward preparation consisted in washing their persons and clothes, and in abstinence from sexual intercourse: see Exodus 19:15 and cp. Leviticus 15:16. These outward purifications symbolised the inward purity required in those who draw near to God: s... [ Continue Reading ]
SET BOUNDS UNTO THE PEOPLE] This was intended to impress the people with the unapproachable holiness of God. They could only draw near to God in the person of the mediator whom God Himself had chosen. The NT. writers emphasise the superior privilege of Christians, who enjoy access into the holiest t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL COME UP] not the mass of the people, but their privileged representatives: see Exodus 19:23, and cp. Exodus 24:1; Exodus 24:2. 22 THE PRIESTS] The Levitical priesthood was not yet instituted, but among the Hebrews, as among other nations of antiquity, there were those, mainly the heads of... [ Continue Reading ]