CONTENTS
This Chapter contains the record of that memorable event to which all the subsequent acts of the Church have reference; the giving of the Law upon Mount Sinai, amidst the glorious manifestation of the Divine Presence. Israel, being now arrived at the holy mount, after a journey of between forty and fifty days, from their departure from Egypt, are gathered together to receive the law of God. The preparations for this, together with the awful signs which accompanied it, are related in this Chapter.
Sinai is so called from the vast number of thorny bushes growing upon it. Some have computed this journey of Israel from Egypt to Sinai, and made it 50 days. And hence have drawn somewhat of a parallel between the feast of Pentecost, which Isaiah 50:1 days from the passover, and that of Israel after the Passover arriving in 50 days to Mount Sinai. And indeed without doing violence to the subject, it is worthy of remark, that as in the one instance God came down in the presence of his people, and revealed himself on Mount Sinai, 50 days after their deliverance from the graves of Egypt; so in the other, God the Holy Ghost came down 50 days after the Lord Jesus arose from the grave, and manifested himself by speaking to their hearts. Reader! do not overlook the spiritual sense of all that refers to this history. Galatians 4:24-25.