Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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descended in cloven tongues upon the apostles (Ac 2:3), that they might be believed. Observe, When the people had declared themselves willing to obey the voice of God, then God promised they should hear his voice; for, if any man be resolved to do his will, he shall know it, Joh 7:17.
10 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify
them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes,
He orders Moses to make preparation for this great solemnity, giving him two days' time for it.
He must sanctify the people (Ex 19:10), as Job, before this, sent and sanctified his sons, Job 1:5. He must raise their expectation by giving them notice what God would do, and assist their preparation by directing them what they must do. "Sanctify them," that is, "Call them off from their worldly business, and call them to religious exercises, meditation and prayer, that they may receive the law from God's mouth with reverence and devotion. Let them be ready," Ex 19:11.
Note, When we are to attend upon God in solemn ordinances it concerns us to sanctify ourselves, and to get ready beforehand. Wandering thoughts must be gathered in, impure affections abandoned, disquieting passions suppressed, nay, and all cares about secular business, for the present, dismissed and laid by, that our hearts may be engaged to approach unto God. Two things particularly prescribed as signs and instances of their preparation:--
(1.) In token of their cleansing themselves from all sinful pollutions, that they might be holy to God, they must wash their clothes (Ex 19:10), and they did so (Ex 19:14); not that God regards our clothes; but while they were washing their clothes he would have them think of washing their souls by repentance from the sins they had contracted in Egypt and since their deliverance. It becomes us to appear in clean