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Exodus 19:17

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 19:17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Prepare to meet thy God.

God's revelation of himself to man is gradual, as man can bear it. [Cf. the way in which a parent reveals himself to his child, , with stammering lips and a feigned tongue.] Israel had learnt to know God as a deliverer; must learn to know him further as a lawgiver and ruler.

I. THE SCENE. A long, broad valley. Rocks on each side widening out into a natural amphitheatre. Facing down the valley is a steep, precipitous mountain; grey, streaked with red. The whole scene, not unlike, on a huge scale, that presented by the avenues leading up to the Egyptian temples. It is a place where those accustomed to Egypt might expect to meet with God. "Now" probably the people may have thought, "we shall see for ourselves this mysterious Jehovah; he has brought us to his temple; he will introduce us to his shrine."

II. THE MEDIATOR AND HIS MESSAGE. Israel is encamped. Moses ascends the mountain (). Again God meets with him and sends a message by him to the people. Notice:—

1. Reminder of what he has done for them already ().

2. Obedience the condition of future favour (). Fulfil the condition and the promise is secure. The earth itself is God's temple; if Israel will obey and keep his covenant they shall be "a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation."

3. The answer given (). No hesitation, no expression of doubt. The promised blessing so attractive that they are ready to promise anything, never doubting their ability to fulfil their promise. It is easy enough to say "I will"—the hard thing is to translate it into "I do."

III. THE PROMISED INTERVIEW. The people shall be conscious of the presence of their God. Jehovah will publicly attest the authority of his servant, Notice:—

1. The preparation. God requires it. It is easy for familiarity to breed irreverence; and irreverence soon leads on to low views of the Divine character. Love is degraded into mere kindliness; an easy-going people believe in an easy-going God. See here:—

2. The revelation. The third day comes (). Storm, sound of trumpet, assembly of people without the camp, trembling, earthquake, intense suspense. "Now surely God will show himself. Can we endure the sight and live?" At length () "a voice"—cf. ; "no similitude, only a voice." For the present it is enough; reverence is the first lesson those whom God has delivered have to learn; "Hallowed be thy Name" is the first petition they are taught to offer. For effect (cf. ) which also teaches the object of the revelation. "That his fear may be before your faces that ye sin not."

Conclusion. We have learnt many more lessons about God than the Israelites could then learn. Have we not too often slurred over or half-forgotten that first lesson?

"Let knowledge grow from more to more,

But more of reverence in us dwell;

That mind and soul, according well,

May make our music as before,

But vaster. We axe fools and slight;

We mock thee when we do not fear;

But help thy foolish ones to bear;

Help thy vain worlds to bear thy light."

—G.

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