Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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2. It was a specimen of the terrors of the general judgment, in which sinners will be called to an account for the breach of this law: the archangel's trumpet will then sound an alarm, to give notice of the Judge's coming, and a fire shall devour before him.
3. It was an indication of the terror of those convictions which the law brings into conscience, to prepare the soul for the comforts of the gospel. Thus was the law given by Moses in such a way as might startle, affright, and humble men, that the grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ might be the more welcome. The apostle largely describes this instance of the terror of that dispensation, as a foil to set off our privileges, as Christians, in the light, liberty, and joy, of the New-Testament dispensation, Heb 12:18, &c.
19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear:
but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
The impression which this made, for the present, upon the people; they must have had stupid hearts indeed, if this had not affected them.
1. They removed, and stood afar off, Ex 20:18. Before God began to speak, they were thrusting forward to gaze (Ex 19:21); but now they were effectually cured of their presumption, and taught to keep their distance.
2. They entreated that the word should not be so spoken to them any more (Heb 12:19), but begged that God would speak to them by Moses, Ex 20:19. Hereby they obliged themselves to acquiesce in the mediation of Moses, they themselves nominating him as a fit person to deal between them and God, and promising to hearken to him as to God's messenger; hereby also they teach us to acquiesce in that method which Infinite Wisdom takes, of speaking to us by men like ourselves, whose terror shall not make us afraid, nor