And Moses—called the elders of the people— The Lord having proposed to Moses to institute a theocracy, to separate the Israelites from the rest of the world, and to become, in a peculiar sense, their God and King; Moses summons the elders of the people, as the representatives of the whole body; and informs them of his commission from the Lord: and all the people, it is said, Exodus 19:8 assented to the proposition; so that we must either conceive, that the elders of the people reported to them what Moses had proposed, and that they, in person, all signified their assent; or, that all the people imports the same with all the elders, who, as being their representatives, may, with propriety, be called all the people. It is, however, I conceive, most probable, (though the sacred historian relates it not) that the elders consulted the people, and that their universal assent was given: upon which, Moses, the mediator between God and the people, reports their assent to GOD; and hence the theocracy commences; the Lord immediately after appearing in awful pomp as their King, and delivering to them those laws by which he determined to govern them.
REFLECTIONS.—About fifty days after their departure from Egypt, when they had marched to Sinai, God appears in glory on the mount, and calls up Moses to communicate his designs respecting the people.
1. A covenant is proposed. It is an act of God's free grace; and the tenor of the agreement is as advantageous for Israel, as just respecting their Maker. Note; All the mercies we enjoy in time or eternity, are purely owing to the free grace and undeserved love of God. They are reminded of God's care and protection of them; and, therefore, as they are so much obliged to him; obedience is doubly their duty: this, therefore, he expects from them, assuring them hereupon of his distinguishing regard, and the honour he designs them, as chosen out from the nations of the earth, to be his peculiar people, a nation of priests unto him. Note; God's favours are as great as they are gracious.
2. We have the ready acceptance of this proposal, which Moses, as mediator, reports to God. Note; Like Israel we are ready to be hasty in our promises; but when the performance is called for, how backward to obey the voice of the Lord our God!