The people come to Sinai, God's message to them, and their answer. (1-8) The people directed to prepare to hear the law. (9-15) The presence of God on Sinai. (16-25)1-8 Moses was called up the mountain, and was employed as the messenger of this covenant. The Maker and first Mover of the covenant, is God himself. This blessed charter was granted out of God's own free grace. The covenant here mentioned was the national covenant, by which the Israelites were a people under the government of Jehovah. It was a type of the new covenant made with true believers in Christ Jesus; but, like other types, it was only a shadow of good things to come. As a nation they broke this covenant; therefore the Lord declared that he would make a new covenant with Israel, writing his law, not upon tables of stone, but in their hearts, #Jer 31:33; Heb 8:7-10|. The covenant spoken of in these places as ready to vanish away, is the national covenant with Israel, which they forfeited by their sins. Unless we carefully attend to this, we shall fall into mistakes while reading the Old Testament. We must not suppose that the nation of the Jews were under the covenant of works, which knows nothing of repentance, faith in a Mediator, forgiveness of sins, or grace; nor yet that the whole nation of Israel bore the character, and possessed the privileges of true believers, as being actually sharers in the covenant of grace. They were all under a dispensation of mercy; they had outward privileges and advantages for salvation; but, like professing Christians, most rested therein, and went no further. Israel consented to the conditions. They answered as one man, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. Oh that there had been such a heart in them! Moses, as a mediator, returned the words of the people to God. Thus Christ, the Mediator, as a Prophet, reveals God's will to us, his precepts and promises; and then, as a Priest, offers up to God our spiritual sacrifices, not only of prayer and praise, but of devout affections, and pious resolutions, the work of his own Spirit in us.

9-15 The solemn manner in which the law was delivered, was to impress the people with a right sense of the Divine majesty. Also to convince them of their own guilt, and to show that they could not stand in judgment before God by their own obedience. In the law, the sinner discovers what he ought to be, what he is, and what he wants. There he learns the nature, necessity, and glory of redemption, and of being made holy. Having been taught to flee to Christ, and to love him, the law is the rule of his obedience and faith.

16-25 Never was there such a sermon preached, before or since, as this which was preached to the church in the wilderness. It might be supposed that the terrors would have checked presumption and curiosity in the people; but the hard heart of an unawakened sinner can trifle with the most terrible threatenings and judgments. In drawing near to God, we must never forget his holiness and greatness, nor our own meanness and pollution. We cannot stand in judgment before him according to his righteous law. The convinced transgressor asks, What must I do to be saved? and he hears the voice, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. The Holy Ghost, who made the law to convince of sin, now takes of the things of Christ, and shows them to us. In the gospel we read, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Through him we are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses. But the Divine law is binding as a rule of life. The Son of God came down from heaven, and suffered poverty, shame, agony, and death, not only to redeem us from its curse, but to bind us more closely to keep its commands.

Recent Comments for Exodus Chapter 19...

Clint's Exodus Chapter 19 comment on 4/23/2013, 4:16am...

sher, NOWHERE IN THE WORD OF GOD DOES IT SAY PRAY TO MARY ! NOWHERE ! MAYBE IN THE catholic bible !

Paul's Exodus Chapter 19 comment on 3/13/2013, 11:55am...

Grace is not a ticket to sin. Grace is the New Testament or grace covenant. What, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound, God forbid. In Ephesians 2, the works that are spoken of are the works of the Law (Old Testament); offering goats and bulls and the keeping of holy days, etc.. Jesus said unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisee’s (Old Testament), you shall in no wise inter into the kingdom of God. Romans 12, I beseech you brethren that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto the lord which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (New Testament). Galatians: Be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. If ye sow unto the flesh ye shall of the flesh reap corruption. But if ye sow unto the spirit, ye shall of the spirit reap eternal life, (New Testament). Ephesians 5, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God; that also is in the New Testament. Jesus said Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; New Testament. James 2:17, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also… all that is in the New Testament.
Don't let someone fool into the broad and easy way with his/her greasy Grace doctrine. Jesus said sell all you have, deny yourself and come follow me.

Tracy fyler's Exodus Chapter 19 comment about verse 13 on 2/13/2013, 8:00pm...

Since John 17:3, Philippians 3:8-10, Matthew 7:21-23, verse 9 covered by a thick cloud, Jeremiah 29:13 that the people might hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever. John 6:17-8; 8:12. Jesus marveled in Matthew 8:10. Is there a greater marvel elsewhere? Is the only disease (BELEVING A LIE) caused by either Deception, or Pride. 1 Corinthians 4:7 there is only One God Who cannot lie, Hebrews 13:8. Who says there are no absolutes? The statement is an absolute, humble unselfish FATHER already knows everything, and is the answer, yet humanity is so wrapped up in their shallow little plans they miss the mark. His Glory Revelation 4:11, Galatians 2:20-21, Genesis 15:1, Philippians 3:12 Came here to understand this veiled verse 19:13 but got sidetracked. Sound unfamiliar 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:13.

Timothy Wayne George's Exodus Chapter 19 comment on 1/27/2013, 11:40pm...

@Joyce this is a good question that you have asked, and we have to keep the context of what this passage is about, which is Moses receiving the Law. God has been carrying them on eagle’s wings, which speaks of His grace. Now they told Moses all that God has said we will do. The law did not allow the people to touch the mount of Sinai or to gaze at the Lord lest they die. So God has told Moses to consecrate the people until the third day is complete. The priests were to sanctify themselves, lest the Lord would break upon them. We are told in Hebrews 12 to be at peace with all men, and follow holiness, for without holiness, no one will see the Lord. We are waiting to hear the trumpet sound for Jesus to come, and the dead in Christ will be raised first, then those of us who are alive, will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Then we will be caught up in the clouds to be with the Lord. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, and we must occupy, until Jesus comes for us.

Joyce mcguire's Exodus Chapter 19 comment about verse 13 on 1/26/2013, 12:06pm...

Why couldn't they come or touch the mountain, before the trumpet was blown?

Joyce mcguire's Exodus Chapter 19 comment about verse 13 on 1/26/2013, 12:02pm...

Why were they not able to touch the mountain, while the Lord was present but in the next verse, they were able to come after the ram's horn was blown.

Timothy Wayne George's Exodus Chapter 19 comment on 9/13/2012, 7:26am...

We have seen how the Lord bare them on eagles wings. This speaks of the grace of God, for we are saved by grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus, and not of works, less any man should boast.

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