XIX. THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE ON MOUNT SINAI. (2) THEY WERE DEPARTED FROM REPHIDIM. — If Rephidim was where we have placed it, in the Wady Feiran, the march to “the wilderness of Sinai” (_Er Rahah_) must have been by the Wady Solaf, or the Wady esh Sheikh, or possibly by both. The dis... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WENT UP UNTO GOD — _i.e.,_ ascended Sinai, where he expected that God would speak with him. THE LORD CALLED UNTO HIM OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN. — While he was still on his way, as it would seem, so that he was spared the toil of the ascent. God meets us half-way when we “arise and go” to Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I BARE YOU ON EAGLES’ WINGS. — COMP. Deuteronomy 32:11, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, _beareth them upon her wings.”_ When its young are first fledged, the eagle is said to assist them in their flight by flying beneath them, so... [ Continue Reading ]
A PECULIAR TREASURE. — The Hebrew _sĕgullah_ is from a root, found in Chaldee, signifying “to earn,” or “acquire,” and means primarily some valuable possession, which the owner has got by his own exertions. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 29:3, where the English Version translates it by “mine own proper good.”)... [ Continue Reading ]
A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS. — All of them both “kings and priests unto God” — kings as lords over themselves, equals one to another, owing allegiance to God only — priests, as entitled to draw near to God in prayer without an intermediary, to bring Him their offerings, pay Him their vows, and hold communi... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES... CALLED FOR THE ELDERS-The “elders” formed the usual channel of communication between Moses and the people, reporting his words to them, and theirs to him. (See Exodus 4:21; Exodus 12:21; Exodus 17:5; Exodus 18:2; Exodus 24:14, &c.) On their position and authority, see Note on Exodus 3:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE PEOPLE ANSWERED TOGETHER. — There was no hesitation, no diversity of opinion, no self-distrust. In view of the great privileges offered to them, all were willing, nay, eager, to promise for themselves that “they would obey God’s voice indeed, and keep his covenant.” In the glow and warmth of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SAID.... — The first step in the great event of the formation of a covenant between God and Israel was completed by the people’s acceptance of God’s offer. The second step was now to be taken. The terms of the covenant must be declared, and it pleased God to declare them, or, at any rat... [ Continue Reading ]
GO UNTO THE PEOPLE, AND SANCTIFY THEM. — The approaching manifestation required, above all things, that the people should be “sanctified.” Sanctification is twofold — outward and inward. The real essential preparation for approach to God is inward sanctification; but no external command can secure t... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST THE THIRD DAY. — There is no special “significance” in this mention of “the third day.” The important point is, that the purification was to continue through two entire days — one day not being sufficient. This taught the lesson that man’s defilement is, in the sight of God, very great. THE... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT SET BOUNDS. — Here was another formal and mechanical direction, having for its object to deepen and intensify the lesson of God’s unapproachable majesty and holiness. Moses was required to “set bounds to the people,” _i.e.,_ to make a substantial fence between the camp and the base of Sin... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE SHALL NOT AN HAND TOUCH IT. — This translation gives an entirely wrong sense. The meaning is, beyond all doubt, “There shall not a hand touch _him,” i.e.,_ the transgressor. To stop him and seize him, another person must have transgressed the bounds, and so have repeated the act which was forb... [ Continue Reading ]
COME NOT AT YOUR WIVES. — Comp. 1 Samuel 21:4 :1 Corinthians 7:5. It was the general sentiment of antiquity that a ceremonial uncleanness attached even to the chastest sexual connection. (Herod. I. 189, ii. 64; Hesiod. _Op. et D.,_ 11. 733-4: Tibull, _Carni._ ii. 1, 11. 11, 12; Porphyr., _De Abstine... [ Continue Reading ]
(16-20) THUNDERS AND LIGHTNINGS, AND A THICK CLOUD. — Compare with this description that of Deut. (Deuteronomy 4:11), which is fuller in some respects: — “Ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain _burned with fire unto the midst of heaven,_ with darkness, clouds, and _thick darkne... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE CAMP. — An open space must have intervened between the camp and the “bounds.” Into this Moses led the representatives of the people, so bringing them as near to God as was permitted. AT THE NETHER PART OF THE MOUNT. — In the plain directly in front of the Ras Sufsafeh, and almost under i... [ Continue Reading ]
MOUNT SINAI WAS ALTOGETHER ON A SMOKE. — Heb., _smoked, all of it._ Some understand by this, “dense clouds, having the _appearance_ of smoke.” But if “the mountain burned with fire,” as asserted (Deuteronomy 4:11), the smoke would be real. THE WHOLE MOUNT QUAKED GREATLY. — Comp. Psalms 68:8, “The e... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNT. — On the summit of the Ras Sufsafeh, not on the Jebel Musa, which is out of sight from the plain of Er Rahah.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST THEY BREAK THROUGH — _i.e., force their way through the barrier which Moses had erected._ TO GAZE, AND MANY OF THEM PERISH. — Some might have perished by the execution of the orders given in Exodus 19:13. But the allusion is perhaps rather to such a heaven-sent plague as destroyed the men of B... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD’S WARNING TO THE PEOPLE AGAINST A TOO NEAR APPROACH. (21-25) Warning was given, as soon as God announced His intention of descending upon Sinai, that the people must not approach too near. “Bounds” were set, and the people required to keep within them. Actual contact with the mountain was forbid... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRIESTS. — This has been called an anachronism, since the Levitical priesthood was not as yet instituted. But the Israelites, like all other ancient tribes or races, must have had priests long ere this, appointed upon one principle or another. It is a reasonable conjecture that hitherto the head... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE CANNOT COME UP. — Moses probably means that they cannot do so unwittingly; he Does not contemplate the case of an intentional trespass. But it was this which God knew to be contemplated, and was desirous of preventing.... [ Continue Reading ]
AWAY, GET THEE DOWN. — He “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17) overrules the objection of Moses, and persists. The warning is required, and is to be given. Moses, submissive as usual, yields, and “goes down unto the people and speaks unto them.” The result is that n... [ Continue Reading ]