_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 ]