XXIV. THE RATIFICATION OF THE COVENANT. (1) AND HE SAID. — We should have expected “And God said,” or “And Jehovah said.” The omission of the nominative is probably to be accounted for by the insertion into Exodus at this point of “the Book of the Covenant,” which was originally a distinct document... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES... TOLD THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THE LORD. — Moses gave them an outline of the legislation which he subsequently committed to writing (Exodus 24:4) and formed into “the Book of the Covenant” (Exodus 24:7). Its general purport and main heads were communicated, but probably not all its detail... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WROTE. — Comp. Exodus 17:14. The familiarity of Moses with writing is throughout presumed in the Pentateuch. One “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” under the nineteenth dynasty could not well be ignorant of this ordinary Egyptian accomplishment. UNDER THE HILL. — Heb., _the mountain... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUNG MEN... WHICH OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS. — It is to be noted that, even subsequently to the appointment of the Levitical priesthood, the acts of slaughtering the victims and arranging the flesh upon the altar were regarded as appropriately per formed by any Israelite (Leviticus 1:5; Leviticus 1:1... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT IT IN BASONS. — Reserving it for the purpose stated in Exodus 24:8. HALF OF THE BLOOD HE SPRINKLED ON THE ALTAR. — This was the most essential part of every sacrifice — the act by which the victim, the representative of the offerer, was made over and delivered up to God. Usually all the blood w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT — _i.e.,_ the book which he had written overnight, the collection of laws and promises which we have in Exodus 20:22 to Exodus 23:33. IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE PEOPLE. — Heb., _in the ears of the people._ AND THEY SAID. — Having heard the _ipsissima verba_ spoken by God to Mo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES TOOK THE BLOOD, AND SPRINKLED IT... — Half of the blood had been sprinkled upon the altar, which symbolised Jehovah; the other half was now sprinkled upon the people, or rather upon their representatives — the elders and others who stood nearest to Moses. Thus the two parties to the covena... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WENT UP. — According to the ordinary ideas of the time, the ratification of the covenant was now complete, and nothing more was needed. It pleased God, however, to terminate the whole transaction by a closing scene of extraordinary grandeur, beauty, and spiritual significance. A sacrifice impli... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL. — Probably, in human form, as Isaiah saw Him (Isaiah 6:1), and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:26), and even Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:25). It is not of this appearance that Moses says: “Ye saw no similitude” (Deuteronomy 4:12). The appearance which they saw had “feet.” A PAVED WORK O... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NOBLES. — The word used is an unusual one, but seems to designate the “elders” of Exodus 24:1; Exodus 24:9. It implies nobility of birth. HE LAID NOT HIS HAND — i.e., He in nowise hurt or injured them. The belief was general that a man could not see God and live (Genesis 32:30; Exodus 32:20; Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
COME UP TO ME INTO THE MOUNT, AND BE THERE. — After the sacrificial meal, the seventy-four persons engaged in it had descended into the plain of Er-Rahah, and possibly spent some time there, before a second summons came to Moses. This time he was directed to ascend accompanied only by his minister,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SECOND ASCENT OF MOSES INTO MOUNT SINAI. (12-18) The great work still remained to be done. A series of laws had been laid down for the nation and accepted with unanimity (Exodus 24:3; Exodus 24:7). But “_quid prosunt leges sine moribus_?” It was necessary for the sustentation of the religious li... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES ROSE UP, AND HIS MINISTER JOSHUA. — The close connection of Joshua with Moses is here, for the first time, indicated. His employment as a general against Amalek (Exodus 17:9) might have simply marked his military capacity; but from this point in the history it becomes apparent that he was Mose... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID UNTO THE ELDERS. — Moses understood that his stay in the mount was about to be a prolonged one (see Exodus 24:12). He therefore prudently determined to make arrangements for the government and direction of the people during his absence. Aaron his brother, and Hur, the father of Bezaleel, per... [ Continue Reading ]
A CLOUD COVERED THE MOUNT. — Heb., _the cloud_ — _i.e.,_ the cloud which had accompanied them from Succoth (Exodus 13:21).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEVENTH DAY HE CALLED UNTO MOSES out OF THE MIDST OF THE CLOUD. — Moses, it is evident, would not enter the cloud without a positive summons. It pleased God to put off the summons for six days. Moses doubtless employed the time in such prayer and meditation as rendered him fit for near contact w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIGHT OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD. — To the Israelites in the plain below, the appearance on the top of the Ras Sufsafeh was “like devouring fire.” A light like that of a conflagration rested on the top of the Ras Sufsafeh all the time that Moses was away.... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WAS IN THE MOUNT FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS. — During the whole OF this time he took no food (Deuteronomy 9:9). Comp. The fast of Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and that of our blessed Lord (Matthew 3:2). Modern imitations are in all probability impostures.... [ Continue Reading ]