All these words— These refer to all that is spoken to the end of the 17th verse; i.e. to the ten words or commandments, as Moses calls them, Deuteronomy 4:13 which words God himself spoke from the midst of the fire, Deuteronomy 5:22 on which account it is called a fiery law, Deuteronomy 33:2. These were the only words which God himself spoke to the people; the rest were delivered to Moses. See Exodus 20:21-22 compared with Deuteronomy 5:22. And it is most probable, that, in this solemn intercourse with the Deity, the heavenly host which attended his Divine Presence, ministered and mediated between the Lord and Moses, as Moses mediated between the Lord and the people: in which view, those passages in the New Testament are easily explained, which speak of the law as given by the ministration of angels: but, of these passages, we shall say more on Deuteronomy 33:2 when we come to them in their proper places. God spake, it is supposed by many, by the ministration of angels; and it is no uncommon mode of expression, we know, in Scripture, to say God does that himself, which he does by his ministers.
Before we enter upon any comment on the COMMANDMENTS, it may be necessary to observe, first, that it does not appear to have been the purpose of God to have delivered, in the audience of the people, either the whole law, or any compendium, but only those precepts which were of greater importance: to which, afterwards, those of less moment were added in the hearing of Moses only. When we speak of precepts of greater or less moment, we do not mean that those which were now omitted could be neglected with impunity; but that, from the neglect of these which were now delivered by God, those greater evils would arise, against which a law-giver was more especially to provide; as every one may easily perceive, who reflects upon these commandments. Besides, these observed, through grace, the future observation of the rest would become easy: therefore it will not seem strange, if many things were now omitted, which God elsewhere required from the Israelites, and which respected their duty both to him and their neighbours: for these particulars, we must consult those laws which are afterwards delivered in the remaining part of the Pentateuch; which, properly speaking, are a supplement to the decalogue, and perhaps the best commentary upon it. Divines have endeavoured to deduce from the ten commandments all natural religion and all the moral precepts of the Gospel; in which, though perhaps they may have sometimes carried their speculations to too great a degree of refinement; yet, certainly, by just consequences, the most important duties may be deduced from them. JESUS CHRIST, in his excellent sermon on the mount, has shewn us the way to do so. Secondly, let it be observed, that although the precepts of the decalogue were given to the Israelites alone, and in a peculiar manner imposed upon, and appropriated to them; these precepts, nevertheless, oblige all mankind, so far as they are a part of eternal right; and all Christians in particular, so far as they have been confirmed by the Gospel.