Ver. 1. Like unto the first.] Which Moses had broken; to show how we in our nature had broken the law, and could not be saved by the keeping of it. This Christ, our true Moses, repairs again, writing the law, not in tables of stone, but in the heart of believers, and enabling them in some good measure to keep it, (John 1:17) walking, as Luther phraseth it, in the heaven of the promise, but in the earth of the law; that in respect of believing, this of obeying.
Ver. 2. Which thou brakest.] [See Trapp on “Ex 34:1”]
Ver. 3. And I made an ark.] In its use far beyond that Persian casket embroidered with gold and pearl, which Alexander reserved for Homer’s Iliad.
Ver. 4. Out of the midst of the fire.] The law was given in fire; it is “a law of fire,” (Deuteronomy 33:2) given by God, who is “a consuming fire,” (Hebrews 12:29) and hath a tribunal of fire, (Ezekiel 1:27) and shall plead with transgressors in flames of fire; (Isaiah 66:15,16) the trial of our works shall be by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:13) “Let us therefore have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.” It is the apostle’s use. (Hebrews 12:28)
Ver. 5. And put the tables in the ark.] Which was thenceforth called “the ark of the testimony.”
Ver. 6. And the children of Israel.] Here are some seeming contradictions betwixt this place and that of Numbers 33:31,32. But though they seem to be, as the accusers of Christ, never a one speaking like the other, yet, if we well observe the text, and consult with interpreters, we shall find them, like Nathan and Bathsheba, both speaking the same things.
Ver. 7. A land of rivers of water.] A rare thing in a dry desert. Lysimachus sold his crown for a less matter.
Ver. 8. At that time,] viz., While they were yet at Mount Sinai; for the two former verses are inserted by a parenthesis. The Lord separated the tribe of Levi.] This setting up of the ministry amongst them is reckoned as a sign of God’s singular love to them. And so it is to us, no doubt, albeit a late pamphleteer makes that sacred and tremendous function of the ministry to be as mere an imposture, as very a mystery of iniquity, as arrant a juggle, as the Papacy itself. Now the Lord rebuke thee, Satan. To stand before the Lord.] As also the angels do. (Luke 1:19) The Compassionate Samaritan.
Ver. 12. What doth the Lord thy God require of thee?] Beneficium postulat officium; mercy calls for duty. Require of thee.] Or, as some render it, Request of thee; the word here used signifieth, petere more mendicorum, to crave as beggars do; and so it is used in Psalms 109:10. But to fear the Lord.] This is the totum hominis (Ecclesiastes 12:13) the bonum hominis (Micah 6:8) the unum necessarium (Luke 10:42) the primum quaerendum (Matthew 6:33)
Ver. 14. Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens.] Not the air and sky only, the visible heaven, but the third heaven, whereof no natural knowledge can be had, nor any help by human arts, geometry, optics, &c. For it is neither aspectable nor movable. The earth also.] So that there was no necessity of pitching upon thee for his peculiar, since he had choice enough before him.
Ver. 15. To love them.] Because he loved them, as Deuteronomy 7:7,8. [See Trapp on “De 7:8”]
Ver. 16. Circumcise therefore.] Deus iubendo iuvat. Set about this work in God’s strength, and pray that the heaven may answer the earth. (Hosea 2:21) For it is a work that must be done “without hands.” (Colossians 2:11) Beg of God to thrust his holy hand into our bosom, and to pull off that filthy foreskin; urge him with his promise; (Deuteronomy 30:6) doubt not of his power: lex iubet, gratia iuvat, &c. August, in Exod., quaest. 55.
Ver. 17. Is God of gods.] And will be served like himself.
Ver. 19. Love ye therefore the stranger.] And to show yourselves the friends of God. For idem velle et idem nolle, ea demum vera amictia est. Friends are like-minded. Cicero.
Ver. 20. To him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.] Cleaving will call for swearing. (Acts 11:23) Broken bones must have strong bands to close them fast again. A crazy piece of building must be crampt with iron bars, to keep it up from tottering.
Ver. 21. He is thy praise.] Thy praised One, (Psalms 18:3) or, Thy praiseworthy One. He is also thy chief glory and praise amongst all nations, who shall admire thy happiness in such a God.