The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 123

Ver. 19.-0nly a voice. 'l'he people were expecting a revelation-a v1s1on of the hitherto unseen Jehovah-it came, but not as they expected; no vision, only a voic~ (cf. Deut. iv. 12). The fact was the law was not a final, only a preparatory revelati,,n; it is related to the Gospel as John Baptist was related to Christ. ".A voice crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lonl. Consider in this view :- :::. 1'BE STRENGTH OF THE LA w. 1. It was a voice-{], Divine voice. In spite of the confusion not unmixed with disappointment, none doubted whence it ea.me. It gave a Divine authority to the co=and.ment even when given through a mediator. 2. It was adapted to the co11dition of those who heard it. A revelation must be fitted for those to whom it is addressed. (lllust. a highly-finished picture is of small value to the half- blind; they can better appreciate a rough sketch in coarse, bold outline.) The animal, or natural man, as exemplified in the character of Israel in the wilderness, could not have und,rstood anything more spiritual; its religion is obedience. The natural man can only be reached by such sensual methods as his nature can respond to. Through them the spiritual nature, which is cradled in the natural, may be educated and fostered, prepared to receive in due course that higher revelation which befits it. II. 'l.'HE WEAKNESS OF THE LAW. 1. It was only a voice. .As the spiritual nature grow8 (cf. infants attaining consciousness) it craves for something more than this. It needs not a voice only, but a presence. From the first we find Israel longing after a "simili- tude." Even Moses (xxxiii. 18) beseeches that God will show him his glory. Later the cry grows ever more distinct through psalmists and prophets, itself a continuous preparation for the fulfilment ultimately reserved for it. 2. Evidence in the law itself (cf. second commandment). A fence to guard an empty shrine, but a shrine kept empty only in preparation for some coming inmate. .A preparation for the lnc:uuation. The Pharisee comes to worship the fence; the idolater ignores it; both illustrate the weak- ness Clf the merely " vocal " revelation, III. CONTRAST WITH THE GOSPEL. Christ is "the Word made Flesh:" the express image of God. Not a voice only, but a person. The more perfect revelation indicates a fuller development in those to whom it is addressed, but we must remember that a fuller development implies also a greater responsibility. [The offence which we condone in the child, is unpardonable in the man. Mistakes made by th~ half-blmd are no longer excusable when a man can see.] If Israel fell and was reJected, must not our far greater privileges be followed, if profaned, with deeper ruin? (Of. lleb. xii. 25, 26 1 Cor. :1. 1-12.)-G.  1 '.'A THE BOOK OF F.XODlTR. [en. XIX. 21-26.