Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 19
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 19
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 19
"In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. And when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount." — Exodus 19:1-2 (ASV)
The wilderness ... the desert of Sinai - If the mount from which the law was delivered is the rock of Ras Safsafeh, then the spacious plain of Er Rahah would be the “desert” of Sinai .
"And Moses went up unto God, and Jehovah called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:" — Exodus 19:3 (ASV)
Moses went up unto God - This seems to imply that the voice was heard by Moses as he was ascending the mount.
House of Jacob - This expression does not occur elsewhere in the Pentateuch. It has a special fitness here, referring doubtless to the special promises made to the Patriarch.
"Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles` wings, and brought you unto myself." — Exodus 19:4 (ASV)
On eagles’ wings - Both in the law (Deuteronomy 32:11) and in the Gospel (Matthew 23:37), the Church is compared to fledglings that the mother cherishes and protects under her wings.
In the law, however, that mother is an eagle, while in the Gospels she is “a hen.” This distinction foreshadows the diversity of administration under each covenant: the one of power, which God manifested when He brought His people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and led them into the promised land; the other of grace, when Christ came in humility, took the form of a servant, and became obedient to death, even the death of the Cross.
Compare also Revelation 12:14.
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine:" — Exodus 19:5 (ASV)
A peculiar treasure - A costly possession acquired with exertion and carefully guarded. The special relation in which Israel stands, taken out of the pagan world and consecrated to God as His slaves, subjects, and children, determines their privileges and is the foundation of their duties. The same principle applies even in a stronger sense to the Church. See (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 2:9).
All the earth is mine - It was a point of great practical importance, to impress upon the Jews that their God was no mere national Deity. Compare (Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalms 24:1).
"and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." — Exodus 19:6 (ASV)
A kingdom of priests - Israel collectively is a royal and priestly race: a dynasty of priests, each true member uniting in himself the attributes of a king and priest. Compare 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 1:6.
An holy nation - The holiness of Israel consisted in its special consecration to God: it was a sacred nation, sacred by adoption, by covenant, and by participation in all means of grace. Compare Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:9; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:27.
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