day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17. And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount; and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
The public ceremony of sealing the covenant being over, Moses is called up to receive further instructions, which we have in the following chapters.
I. He is called up into the mount, and there he remained six days at some distance. Orders are given him, (v. 12.) Come up to the mount, and be there, that is, "Expect to continue there for some considerable time." Those that would have communion with God must not only come to ordinances, but they must abide by them. Blessed are they that dwell in his house, not that merely call there; "Come up, and I will give thee a law, that thou mayest teach them." Moses taught them nothing but what he had received from the Lord, and he received nothing from the Lord but what he taught them; for he was faithful both to God and Israel, and did neither add nor diminish, but kept close to his instructions.
Having received these orders, 1. He appointed Aaron and Hur to be as lords justices in his absence, to keep the peace and good order in the congregation, v. 14. The care of his government he would leave behind him when he went up into the mount, that he might not have that to distract his mind; and yet he would not leave the people as sheep having no shepherd, no, not for a few days. Good princes find their government a constant care, and their people find it a constant blessing. 2. He took Joshua up with him into the mount, v. 13. Joshua was his minister, and it would be a satisfaction to him to have him with him as a companion, during the six days that he tarried in the mount, before God called to him. Joshua was to be his successor, and therefore thus he was honoured before the people, above the rest of the elders, that they might afterward the more readily take him for their governor; and thus he was prepared for service, by being trained up in communion with God. Joshua was a type of Christ, and (as the learned Bishop Pearson well observes) Moses takes him with him into the mount, because, without Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, there is no looking into the secrets of Heaven, nor approaching the glorious presence of God. 3. A cloud covered the mount six days; a visible token of God's special presence there, for he so shows himself to us, as, at the same time, to conceal himself from us. He lets us know so much as to assure us of his presence, power, and grace, but intimates to us that we cannot find him out to perfection. During these six days, Moses staid waiting upon the mountain for a call into the presence-chamber, v. 15, 16. God thus tried the patience of Moses, and his obedience to that command, (v. 12.) Be there. If Moses had been tired before the seventh day, (as Saul, 1 Sam. 13. 8, 9.) and had said, What should I wait for the Lord any longer, he had lost the honour of entering into the cloud; but communion with God is worth waiting for. And it is fit we should address ourselves to solemn ordinances with a solemn pause, taking time to compose ourselves, Ps. 108. 1.
II. He is called up into the cloud, on the seventh day, probably on the sabbath-day, v. 16. Now the thick cloud opened in the sight of all Israel, and the glory of the Lord brake forth like devouring fire, v. 17. God, even our God, is a consuming fire, and so he was pleased to manifest himself in the giving of the law; that knowing the terrors of the Lord, we may be persuaded to obey, and may by them be prepared for the comforts of the gospel, and that the grace and truth which come by Jesus Christ may be more acceptable.
Now, 1. The entrance of Moses into the cloud was very wonderful; Moses went into the midst of the cloud, v. 8. It was an extraordinary presence of mind, which the grace of God furnished him with by six days' preparation, else he durst not have ventured into the cloud, especially when it brake out in devouring fire. Moses was sure that he who called him would protect him; and even those glorious attributes of God, which are most terrible to the wicked, the saints with a humble reverence rejoice in. He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly, is able to dwell even with this devouring fire, as we are told, Isa. 33. 14, 15. There are persons and works that will abide the fire, 1 Cor. 3. 12, &c. and some that will have confidence before God.
2. His continuance in the cloud was no less wonderful; he was there forty days and forty nights. It should seem, the six days (v. 16.) were not part of the forty; for, during those six days, Joshua was with Moses, who did eat of the manna, and drink of the brook, mentioned, Deut. 9. 21. and, while they were together, it is probable that Moses did eat and drink with him; but when Moses was called into the midst of the cloud, he left Joshua without, and continued to eat and drink daily while he waited for Moses's return, but from thenceforward Moses fasted. Doubtless, God could have said what he had now to say to Moses, in one day, but, for the greater solemnity of the thing, he kept him with him in the mount forty days and forty nights. We are hereby taught to spend much time in communion with God, and to think that time best spent which is so spent. They that would get the knowledge of God's will must meditate thereon day and night.
CHAP. XXV.
At this chapter begins an account of the orders and instructions God gave to Moses upon the mount, for the erecting and furnishing of a tabernacle to the honour of God. We have here, I. Orders given for a collection to be made among the people for this purpose, v. 1..9. II. Particular instructions, 1. Concerning the ark of the covenant, v. 10..22. 2. The table of show-bread, v. 23..30. 3. The golden candlestick, v. 31..40.
1.AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 3. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, 4. And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, 5. And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim-wood, 6. Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, 7. Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breast-plate. 8. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
We may suppose that when Moses went into the midst of the cloud and abode there so long, where
