Ver. 1. Into the wilderness of Sinai.] A place where were many bushes and briers. Here they received the law, which, like briers and brambles, pricketh and pierceth the consciences of evil men. And this happened four hundred and thirty years after the promise made to Abraham; not to disannul the promise, (Galatians 3:17) but to advance it; and, that guilt being discovered, and “every mouth stopped,” (Romans 3:19) we might acknowledge the riches of free grace and mercy.
Ver. 2. For they were departed.] [See Trapp on “Ex 18:5”]
Ver. 3. And Moses went up.] [See Trapp on “Ex 3:12”]
Ver. 4. On eagles’ wings.] The eagle beats her young ones out of their sluggish nest, that they may learn to fly: there was somewhat to do to bring Israel out of Egypt. The eagle carries her young upon her wings—and not between her talons, as other birds do—openly, safely, speedily: so did God his Israel, being choice and chary of them all the way; securing them also from their enemies, who could do them as little harm as any can do the eagle’s young, which cannot be shot but through the body of the old one. Some by eagles here understand Moses and Aaron, who are so called, say they, propter acumen intelligentiae et altitudinem vitae, for the sharpness of their understanding and the loftiness of their lives. [See Trapp on “De 32:11”] Munster, in Schol. in Deuteronomy 32:11, ex R. Solomon.
Ver. 5. If ye will obey my voice indeed.] As I am good to you in deed, and not in pretence or profession only. Nathanael was “an Israelite indeed.” (John 1:47) And Caleb fulfilled after God, or fully followed him; so did not Solomon. (1 Kings 11:6)
Ver. 6. A kingdom of priests.] A holy state, such as shall be all satiated with fatness. (Jeremiah 31:14) [See Trapp on “1Pe 2:9”] [See Trapp on “Re 1:6”]
Ver. 7. Laid before their faces.] Or, Plainly proposed the mind of God. So did Paul. [παρατιθεμενος, Acts 17:3] So must ministers.
Ver. 8. All that the Lord hath spoken.] Sed, quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu! How easily over estimate we our own abilities! Pollicitis dives quilibet esse potest. Words are good cheap.
Ver. 9. And believe thee.] Without suspicion of an imposture; such as was that of Mohammed.
Ver. 10. Sanctify them to day and to morrow.] Men must come before God with the best preparation they can get. He will be sanctified in all them that draw nigh unto him. This the blind heathens saw, and therefore said, Ουκ εκ παροδου προσκυνειν αλλ οικοθεν παρασκευασμενοι, worship not God by the by, but with all possible preparation. Hence they had their caena pura before their solemn sacrifices. Numa nihil rerum sacrarum cives voluit neglectim agere. Hinc solenne illud, Hoc agite. The ministers likewise in the primitive Church prepared the people’s minds by saying Sursum corda, Lift up your hearts; and the deacons used to call upon the people in these words, Oremus, attendamus: Let us pray, let us attend. Plutarch. Bucholcer. Cyprian., De Oratione. Chrysost. Basil.
Ver. 11. Against the third day.] That is, three days hence, on the day of Pentecost.
Ver. 12. That ye go not up into the mount.] God loves at once familiarity and fear, saith a learned divine; familiarity with him in our conversation, and fear of him in his commands. He loves to be acquainted with men in the walks of their obedience, yet he takes state upon him in his ordinances, and will be trembled at in his word and judgments. Dr Hall.
Ver. 13. They shall come up to the mount,] i.e., To the bottom of the mount, to the foot thereof. (Exodus 19:17) [See Trapp on “Heb 12:20”] “The way of life is above to the wise,” saith Solomon. (Proverbs 15:24) As Moses was with God in the mount, when the people were below in the valley.
Ver. 14. And they washed their clothes.] In token of washing their hearts, and “cleansing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.” The Gentiles also washed, that they might go to sacrifice: and the primitive Christians before prayer. Plaut., in Alul., act. iii. scen. 6. Tertul., De Orat., cap. 11.
Ver. 15. Be ready against the third day.] If the word of a command expected such readiness, what shall the word of promise? &c. Come not at your wives.] For the legal uncleanness that was in it, (Leviticus 15:18 1 Samuel 21:4) figuring the filth of original sin.
Ver. 16. There were thunders and lightnings.] The law was delivered in this terrible manner; partly to procure reverence to the doctrine of it, and partly to set forth the nature and office of it; which is to terrify and thunder struck offenders.
Ver. 17. To meet with God.] Who “came with ten thousands of his saints,” as Moses, that climbed up that hill, and alone saw it, says. (Deuteronomy 33:2) And if he thus gave the law, how shall he require it at the last day
Ver. 18. The Lord descended upon it in fire.] This fire wherein the law was given, is still in it, and will never out. (Deuteronomy 33:2)
Ver. 19. Moses spake.] Yet not without horror. (Hebrews 12:21)
Ver. 20. And Moses went up.] As a mediator between God and his people. (Galatians 3:19 Acts 7:38) A mediator Moses was, not of redemption, as Christ that “Mediator of the new covenant” and “surety of a better testament,” (Hebrews 7:22 9:15) but of receiving the law, and delivering it to the people, for which end here he went up.
Ver. 21. And many of them perish.] As the men of Bethshemesh did for prying into the ark. (1 Samuel 6:19) Arcana Dei, sunt Arca Dei: God’s secrets are his ark. Eorum quae scire nec datur, nec fas est, docta est ignorantia; scientiae appetentia, insaniae species. Not to know what is not fit to know, is a learned ignorance; to desire to know in that case is a kind of madness. He that curiously searcheth into God’s majesty, shall be oppressed of his glory. Calvin.
Ver. 22. And let the priests.] The firstborn of the family, which before the Levitical law had the priesthood. Sanctify themselves.] With a singular care, above that of the rest of the people. Much is required of ministers.
Ver. 23. The people cannot come up,] i.e., Siquid ego aut capio, aut sapio, they cannot: that which I know not teach thou me.
Ver. 24. Away, get thee down.] Abundans cautela non nocet. It is fit that men should know and keep their distance. Thou, and Aaron with thee.] These only, who were types of Christ’s princely and priestly office, might come up unto the Lord.