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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Exodus, Chapter XXIV].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<HR>
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E X O D U S</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXIV.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Moses, as mediator between God and Israel, having received divers laws
and ordinances from God privately in the three foregoing chapters, in
this chapter, I. Comes down to the people, acquaints them with the laws
he had received, and takes their consent to those laws
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:3">ver. 3</A>),
writes the laws, and reads them to the people, who repeat their consent
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:4-7">ver. 4-7</A>),
and then by sacrifice, and the sprinkling of blood, ratifies the
covenant between them and God,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:5,6,8">ver. 5, 6, 8</A>.
II. He returns to God again, to receive further directions. When he was
dismissed from his former attendance, he was ordered to attend again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
He did so with seventy of the elders, to whom God made a discovery of
his glory,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:9-11">ver. 9-11</A>.
Moses is ordered up into the mount
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:12,13">ver. 12, 13</A>);
the rest are ordered down to the people,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:14">ver. 14</A>.
The cloud of glory is seen by all the people on the top of mount Sinai
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:15-17">ver. 15-17</A>),
and Moses is therewith God forty days and forty nights,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:18">ver. 18</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Ex24_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Israel's Acceptance of the Laws.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thou, and
Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and
worship ye afar off.
&nbsp; 2 And Moses alone shall come near the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: but they shall not
come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.
&nbsp; 3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one
voice, and said, All the words which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath said will we
do.
&nbsp; 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and rose up early
in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve
pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
&nbsp; 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which
offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen
unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put <I>it</I> in basons; and
half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
&nbsp; 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the
audience of the people: and they said, All that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath
said will we do, and be obedient.
&nbsp; 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled <I>it</I> on the people,
and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath
made with you concerning all these words.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The first two verses record the appointment of a second session upon
mount Sinai, for the making of laws, when an end was put to the first.
When a communion is begun between God and us, it shall never fail on
his side, if it do not first fail on ours. Moses is directed to bring
Aaron and his sons, and the seventy elders of Israel, that they might
be witnesses of the glory of God, and that communion with him to which
Moses was admitted; and that their testimony might confirm the people's
faith. In this approach, 1. They must all be very reverent: <I>Worship
you afar off,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
Before they came near, they must worship. Thus we must enter into God's
gates with humble and solemn adorations, draw near as those that know
our distance, and admire the condescensions of God's grace in admitting
us to draw near. Are great princes approached with the profound
reverences of the body? And shall not the soul that draws near to God
be bowed before him? 2. They must none of them come so near as Moses,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
They must come up to the Lord (and those that would approach to God
must <I>ascend</I>), but Moses alone must come near, being therein a
type of Christ, who, as the high priest, entered alone into the most
holy place.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In the following verses, we have the solemn covenant made between God
and Israel, and the exchanging of the ratifications; and a very solemn
transaction it was, typifying the covenant of grace between God and
believers through Christ.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Moses told the people the words of the Lord,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
He did not lead them blindfold into the covenant, nor teach them a
devotion that was the daughter of ignorance; but laid before them all
the precepts, general and particular, in the foregoing chapters; and
fairly put it to them whether they were willing to submit to these laws
or no.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The people unanimously consented to the terms proposed, without
reservation or exception: <I>All the words which the Lord hath said
will we do.</I> They had before consented in general to be under God's
government
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:8"><I>ch.</I> xix. 8</A>);
here they consent in particular to these laws
now given. <I>O that there had been such a heart in them!</I> How well
were it if people would but be always in the same good mind that
sometimes they seem to be in! Many consent to the law, and yet do not
live up to it; they have nothing to except against it, and yet will not
persuade themselves to be ruled by it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This is the tenour of the covenant, That, if they would observe the
foregoing precepts, God would perform the foregoing promises. "Obey,
and be happy." Here is the bargain made. Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. How it was engrossed in the book of the covenant: <I>Moses wrote the
words of the Lord</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
that there might be no mistake; probably he had written them as God
dictated them on the mount. As soon as ever God had separated to
himself a peculiar people in the world, he governed them by a written
word, as he has done ever since, and will do while the world stands and
the church in it. Moses, having engrossed the articles of agreement
concluded upon between God and Israel, <I>read them in the audience of
the people</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
that they might be perfectly apprised of the thing, and might try
whether their second thoughts were the same with their first, upon the
whole matter. And we may suppose they were so; for their words
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>)
are the same with what they were
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
but something stronger: <I>All that the Lord hath said</I> (be it good,
or be it evil, to flesh and blood,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+42:6">Jer. xlii. 6</A>)
<I>we will do;</I> so they had said before, but now they add, "<I>And
will be obedient;</I> not only we will do what has been commanded, but
in every thing which shall further be ordained <I>we will be
obedient.</I>" Bravely resolved! if they had but stuck to their
resolution. See here that God's covenants and commands are so
incontestably equitable in themselves, and so highly advantageous to
us, that the more we think of them, and the more plainly and fully they
are set before us, the more reason we shall see to comply with
them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. How it was sealed by the blood of the covenant, that Israel might
receive strong consolations from the ratifying of God's promises to
them, and might lie under strong obligations from the ratifying of
their promises to God. Thus has Infinite Wisdom devised means that we
may be confirmed both in our faith and in our obedience, may be both
encouraged in our duty and engaged to it. The covenant must be made by
sacrifice
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:5">Ps. l. 5</A>),
because, since man has sinned, and forfeited his Creator's favour,
there can be no fellowship by covenant till there be first friendship
and atonement by sacrifice.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) In preparation therefore for the parties interchangeably putting
their seals to this covenant, [1.] Moses builds an altar, to the honour
of God, which was principally intended in all the altars that were
built, and which was the first thing to be looked at in the covenant
they were now to seal. No addition to the perfections of the divine
nature can be made by any of God's dealings with the children of men,
but in them his perfections are manifested and magnified, and his
honour is shown forth; therefore he will not be represented by an
altar, to signify that all he expected from them was that they should
do him honour, and that, being his people, they should be to him for a
name and a praise. [2.] He erects twelve pillars, according to the
number of the tribes. These were to represent the people, the other
party to the covenant; and we may suppose that they were set up against
the altar, and that Moses, as mediator, passed to and fro between them.
Probably each tribe set up and knew its own pillar, and their elders
stood by it. [3.] He appointed sacrifices to be offered upon the altar
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, which yet were designed to be
expiatory. We are not concerned to enquire who these young men were
that were employed in offering these sacrifices; for Moses was himself
the priest, and what they did was purely as his servants, by his order
and appointment. No doubt they were men who by their bodily strength
were qualified for the service, and by their station among the people
were fittest for the honour.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) Preparation being thus made, the ratifications were very solemnly
exchanged. [1.] The blood of the sacrifice which the people offered was
(part of it) sprinkled upon the altar
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
which signifies the people's dedicating themselves, their lives, and
beings, to God, and to his honour. In the blood (which is the life) of
the dead sacrifices all the Israelites were presented unto God as
living sacrifices,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:1">Rom. xii. 1</A>.
[2.] The blood of the sacrifice which God had owned and accepted was
(the remainder of it) sprinkled either upon the people themselves
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>)
or upon the pillars that represented them, which signified God's
graciously conferring his favour upon them and all the fruits of that
favour, and his giving them all the gifts they could expect or desire
from a God reconciled to them and in covenant with them by sacrifice.
This part of the ceremony was thus explained: "<I>Behold the blood of
the covenant;</I> see here how God has sealed to you to be a people;
his promises to you, and yours to him, are both <I>yea and amen.</I>"
Thus our Lord Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant (of whom Moses
was a type), having offered up himself a sacrifice upon the cross, that
his blood might be indeed the blood of the covenant, sprinkled it upon
the altar in his intercession
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:12">Heb. ix. 12</A>),
and sprinkles it upon his church by his word and ordinances and the
influences and operations of the Spirit of promise, by whom we are
sealed. He himself seemed to allude to this solemnity when, in the
institution of the Lord's supper, he said, <I>This cup is the New
Testament</I> (or covenant) <I>in my blood.</I> Compare with this,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:19,20">Heb. ix. 19, 20</A>.</P>
<A NAME="Ex24_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_10"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>A Manifestation of God.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy
of the elders of Israel:
&nbsp; 10 And they saw the God of Israel: and <I>there was</I> under his
feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were
the body of heaven in <I>his</I> clearness.
&nbsp; 11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not
his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The people having, besides their submission to the ceremony of the
sprinkling of blood, declared their well-pleasedness in their God and
his law, again and again, God here gives to their representatives some
special tokens of his favour to them (for God meets him that rejoices
and works righteousness), and admits them nearer to him than they could
have expected. Thus, in the New-Testament church, we find the <I>four
living creatures,</I> and the <I>four and twenty elders,</I> honoured
with places round the throne, being <I>redeemed unto God</I> by the
<I>blood of the Lamb</I> which is <I>in the midst of the throne,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+4:4,6,5:8,9">Rev. iv. 4, 6; v. 8, 9</A>.
Observe,
1. They saw the God of Israel
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
that is, they had some glimpse of his glory, in light and fire, though
they saw <I>no manner of similitude,</I> and his being <I>no man hath
seen nor can see,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:16">1 Tim. vi. 16</A>.
They saw the place where the God of Israel stood (so the LXX.),
something that came near a similitude, but was not; whatever they saw,
it was certainly something of which no image nor picture could be made,
and yet enough to satisfy them that God was with them of a truth.
Nothing is described but that which was under his feet; for our
conceptions of God are all below him, and fall infinitely short of
being adequate. They saw not so much as God's feet; but at the bottom
of the brightness, and as the footstool or pedestal of it, they saw a
most rich and splendid pavement, such as they never saw before nor
after, as it had been of sapphires, azure or sky-coloured. The heavens
themselves are the pavement of God's palace, and his throne is above
the firmament. See how much better wisdom is than the precious onyx or
the sapphires, for wisdom was from eternity God's delight
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+8:30">Prov. viii. 30</A>),
and lay in his bosom, but the sapphires are the pavement under his
feet; there let us put all the wealth of this world, and not in our
hearts. 2. <I>Upon the nobles</I> (or elders) <I>of Israel, he laid not
his hand,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
Though they were men, the dazzling splendour of his glory did not
overwhelm them; but it was so moderated
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+26:9">Job xxvi. 9</A>),
and they were so strengthened
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:19">Dan. x. 19</A>),
that they were able to bear it. Nay, though they were sinful men, and
obnoxious to God's justice, yet he did not lay his punishing avenging
hand upon them, as they feared he would. When we consider what a
consuming fire God is, and what stubble we are before him, we shall
have reason to say, in all our approaches to him, <I>It is of the
Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.</I> 3. <I>They saw God, and
did eat and drink.</I> They had not only their lives preserved, but
their vigour, courage, and comfort; it cast no damp upon their joy, but
rather increased and elevated it. They <I>feasted upon the
sacrifice,</I> before God, in token of their cheerful consent to the
covenant now made, their grateful acceptance of the benefits of it, and
their communion with God, in pursuance of that covenant. Thus believers
<I>eat and drink with Christ at his table,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:30">Luke xxii. 30</A>.
Blessed are those that shall eat bread in the kingdom of our Father,
and drink of the wine new there.</P>
<A NAME="Ex24_12"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_14"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_15"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_17"> </A>
<A NAME="Ex24_18"> </A>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount,
and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law,
and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach
them.
&nbsp; 13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went
up into the mount of God.
&nbsp; 14 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we
come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur <I>are</I> with you:
if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.
&nbsp; 15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the
mount.
&nbsp; 16 And the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> abode upon mount Sinai, and the
cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto
Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
&nbsp; 17 And the sight of the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>was</I> like devouring
fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of
Israel.
&nbsp; 18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up
into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty
nights.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The public ceremony of sealing the covenant being over, Moses is called
up to receive further instructions, which we have in the following
chapters.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. He is called up into the mount, and there he remains six days at
some distance. Orders are given him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
<I>Come up to the mount, and be there,</I> that is, "Expect to continue
there for some considerable time." Those that would have communion with
God must not only come to ordinances, but they must abide by them.
Blessed are those that dwell in his house, not that merely call there.
"Come up, and <I>I will give thee a law, that thou mayest teach
them.</I>" Moses taught them nothing but what he had received from the
Lord, and he received nothing from the Lord but what he taught them;
for he was faithful both to God and Israel, and did neither add nor
diminish, but kept close to his instructions. Having received these
orders, 1. He appointed Aaron and Hur to be as lords-justices in his
absence, to keep the peace and good order in the congregation,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
The care of his government he would leave behind him when he went up
into the mount, that he might not have that to distract his mind; and
yet he would not leave the people as sheep having no shepherd, no, not
for a few days. Good princes find their government a constant care, and
their people find it a constant blessing. 2. He took Joshua up with him
into the mount,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
Joshua was his minister, and it would be a satisfaction to him to have
him with him as a companion, during the six days that he tarried in the
mount, before God called to him. Joshua was to be his successor, and
therefore thus he was honoured before the people, above the rest of the
elders, that they might afterwards the more readily take him for their
governor; and thus he was prepared for service, by being trained up in
communion with God. Joshua was a type of Christ, and (as the learned
bishop Pearson well observes) Moses takes him with him into the mount,
because without Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge, there is no looking into the secrets of heaven, nor
approaching the glorious presence of God. 3. A cloud covered the mount
six days, a visible token of God's special presence there, for he so
shows himself to us as at the same time to conceal himself from us. He
lets us know so much as to assure us of his presence, power, and grace,
but intimates to us that we cannot find him out to perfection. During
these six days Moses staid waiting upon the mountain for a call into
the presence-chamber,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
God thus tried the patience of Moses, and his obedience to that command
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
<I>Be there.</I> If Moses had been tired before the seventh day (as
Saul,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+13:8,9">1 Sam. xiii. 8, 9</A>),
and had said, <I>What should I wait for the Lord any longer?</I> he
would have lost the honour of entering into the cloud; but communion
with God is worth waiting for. And it is fit we should address
ourselves to solemn ordinances with a solemn pause, taking time to
compose ourselves,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+108:1">Ps. cviii. 1</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. He is called up into a cloud on the seventh day, probably on the
sabbath day,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
Now,
1. The thick cloud opened in the sight of all Israel, and the glory of
the Lord broke forth <I>like devouring fire,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
God, even our God, is a consuming fire, and so he was pleased to
manifest himself in the giving of the law, that, knowing the terrors of
the Lord, we may be persuaded to obey, and may by them be prepared for
the comforts of the gospel, and that the <I>grace and truth</I> which
come by Jesus Christ may be the more acceptable. 2. The entrance of
Moses into the cloud was very wonderful: <I>Moses went into the midst
of the cloud,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
It was an extraordinary presence of mind which the grace of God
furnished him with by his six days' preparation, else he durst not have
ventured into the cloud, especially when it broke out in devouring
fire. Moses was sure that he who called him would protect him; and even
those glorious attributes of God which are most terrible to the wicked
the saints with a humble reverence rejoice in. He that walks
righteously, and speaks uprightly, is able to <I>dwell even with this
devouring fire,</I> as we are told,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:14,15">Isa. xxxiii. 14, 15</A>.
There are persons and works that will abide the fire,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:12">1 Cor. iii. 12</A>,
&c., and some that will have confidence before God. 3. His continuance
in the cloud was no less wonderful; he was there <I>forty days and
forty nights.</I> It should seem, the six days
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
were not part of the forty; for, during those six days, Moses was with
Joshua, who did eat of the manna, and drink of the brook, mentioned,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+9:21">Deut. ix. 21</A>,
and while they were together it is probable that Moses did eat and
drink with him; but when Moses was called <I>into the midst of the
cloud</I> he left Joshua without, who continued to eat and drink daily
while he waited for Moses's return, but thenceforward Moses fasted.
Doubtless God could have said what he had now to say to Moses in one
day, but, for the greater solemnity of the thing, he kept him with him
in the mount <I>forty days and forty nights.</I> We are hereby taught
to spend much time in communion with God, and to think that time best
spent which is so spent. Those that would get the knowledge of God's
will must meditate <I>thereon day and night.</I></P>
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