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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:9

I came unto thee in a thick cloud . Literally, "in the thickness of a cloud." God must always veil himself when he speaks with man, for man could not bear "the brightness of his presence." If he takes a human form that form is a veil; if he appears in a burning bush, the very. fire is a shroud. On the present occasion it was the more needful that he should cover himself up, as he was about to draw near to the whole congregation, among whom were many-who were impure and impenitent. It was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:9-25

The manifestation of God's glory at Sinai. I. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MANIFESTATION . God made this purpose known beforehand; and it was that the people who saw and heard these dreadful phenomena might believe Moses for ever, might permanently acknowledge his authority as a messenger and representative of God. When Moses was at Sinai before and then entrusted with a Divine message to Israel, he urged it as one of his difficulties that Israel would not believe him. "They will say,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:10

Go unto the people . Moses had withdrawn himself from the people to report their words to God ( Exodus 19:8 , Exodus 19:9 ). He was now commanded to return to them. Sanctify them . Or "purify them." Purification in Egypt was partly by washing, partly, by shaving the hair, either front the head only, or from the entire body (Herod. 2.37), partly perhaps by other rites. The Israelites seem ordinarily to have purified themselves by washing only. To-day and to-morrow . The fourth and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:10-15

The awfulness of God's presence, and the preparation needed ere we approach him. I. THE AWFULNESS OF GOD 'S PRESENCE . The presence of God is awful, even to those holy angels who are without spot or stain of sin, having done the holy will of their Maker from their creation. But to sinful man it is far more awful. No man "can see God's face, and live" ( Exodus 33:20 ). Jacob was mistaken when he said, " I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" ( Genesis 32:30... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:10-25

The mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire ( Hebrews 12:18 ). It is interesting to observe that, with the latter part of this chapter, we enter on an entirely new phase in the history of God's revelation of himself to Israel. Terror enough there has been in the previous portions of the book—terror and "a mighty hand"—awful manifestations of God's power and holiness; but towards Israel there has been displayed only benignity and fatherly affection. Their wants have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:11

The Lord win come down . Jehovah is regarded as dwelling in the heaven above, not exclusively ( Psalms 139:7-10 ), but especially and therefore, when he appears on earth, he "comes down" ( Genesis 11:5-7 ; Genesis 18:21 ; Exodus 3:8 ; etc.). In the sight of all the people . That a visible manifestation of the Divine presence is intended appears, unmistakably, from Exodus 19:16 and Exodus 19:18 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:12

Thou shalt set bounds . The erection of a fence or barrier, between the camp and the mountain—not necessarily all round the mountain—seems to be meant. This barrier may have run along the line of low alluvial mounds at the foot of the cliff of Ras Sufsafeh, mentioned by Dean Stanley, but cannot have been identical with them, since it was an artificial fence. That ye go not up into the mount . Curiosity might have tempted some to ascend the mount, if it had not been positively forbidden... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:13

There shall not an hand touch it . Rather, "there shall not an hand touch him ." The transgressor shall not be seized and apprehended, for that would involve the repetition of the offence by his arrester, who must overpass the "bounds" set by Moses, in order to make the arrest. Instead of seizing him, they were to kill him with stones or arrows from within the "bounds," and the same was to be done, if any stray beast approached the mountain. When the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:14

In obedience to the commands which he had received ( Exodus 19:10 ), Moses returned to the camp at the foot of Sinai, and issued the order that the people were to purify themselves and wash their garments during that day and the next, and be ready for a great solemnity on the third day. He must also, at the same time, have given directions for the construction of the fence, which was to hedge in the people ( Exodus 19:12 ), and which he speaks of as constructed in Exodus 19:23 . read more

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