he requires, and count his sabbaths and ordinances to be a feast unto our souls. They were not to
come empty-handed; so now, we must not come to worship God empty-hearted; our souls must be
filled with holy desires toward him, and dedications of ourselves to him; for with such sacrifices
God is well pleased.
Verses 20–33
It is here promised that they should be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to
the land of promise, Behold, I send an angel before thee, mine angel. The precept joined with this
promise is, that they be obedient to this angel whom God would send before them. Christ is the
Angel of Jehovah; this is plainly taught by St. Paul, 1Co 10:9. They should have a comfortable
settlement in the land of Canaan. How reasonable are the conditions of this promise; that they
should serve the only true God; not the gods of the nations, which are no gods at all. How rich are
the particulars of this promise! The comfort of their food, the continuance of their health, the
increase of their wealth, the prolonging their lives to old age. Thus hath godliness the promise of
the life that now is. It is promised that they should subdue their enemies. Hosts of hornets made
way for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God use for chastising his people's enemies.
In real kindness to the church, its enemies are subdued by little and little; thus we are kept on our
guard, and in continual dependence on God. Corruptions are driven out of the hearts of God's
people, not all at once, but by little and little. The precept with this promise is, that they should not
make friendship with idolaters. Those that would keep from bad courses, must keep from bad
company. It is dangerous to live in a bad neighbourhood; others' sins will be our snares. Our greatest
danger is from those who would make us sin against God.
Chapter 24
Chapter Outline
Moses is called up into the mountain, The (1–8)
people promise obedience.
The glory of the Lord appears. (9–11)
Moses goes up into the mountain. (12–18)Verses 1–8
A solemn covenant was made between God and Israel. Very solemn it was, typifying the
covenant of grace between God and believers, through Christ. As soon as God separated to himself
a peculiar people, he governed them by a written word, as he has done ever since. God's covenants
and commands are so just in themselves, and so much for our good, that the more we think of them,
and the more plainly and fully they are set before us, the more reason we may see to comply with
them. The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the altar, on the book, and on the people. Neither
their persons, their moral obedience, nor religious services, would meet with acceptance from a