Exodus 20

Chap. XX. Ver. 1—6. The ten commandments: the first Chap. XX. Ver. 5. Will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children.— This doth not contradict that of (Ezekiel 18:17), “The son shall not dig for the iniquity of his father;” the meaning of which is, that one man shall not be condemned for the sin of another, unless by commission, approbation, or some other way, he make it his own. But it is otherwise with temporal punishments, ((2 Samuel 24:18, 17).; 3 Kings xiv. 18.) The third and fourth generation only are mentioned. We expect to see more of their descendants, concerned about their remote posterity; or it may imply, that the Lord being ready to forgive, the effects would cease after that period, unless the children persisted in the sins of their parents.

In every age, whatever brings any family into the visible church and under the means of grace, is a benefit to that family, and often to its remote posterity; even “to thousands” of generations; that is, (says the writer just quoted,) “to successive generations, to the end of time.” See exposition of Deut. ch. v. Ver. 7—26. The remainder of the commandments.—The third, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,” has a twofold reference; first, to perjury, which is indeed, the most gross and awful profanation of God’s sacred name, as it calls upon him to witness falsehood; and secondly, it forbids the trifling and unnecessary oaths, or other profanations of God’s sacred name. The justifiable use of an “oath is for confirmation,” and to “put an end to all strife:” oaths should, therefore, be used with all reverence, and on occasions only of importance. The wanton use of God’s sacred name, therefore, in light and vain conversation, is not only criminal, but is a folly allied to madness—it is trifling with that God, who is to his enemies “a consuming fire.” The fourth commandment enjoins the observation of the holy sabbath, in which we may regard, 1. The duty of remembering it. There are circumstances in which Christians have been placed, wherein it has been difficult to remember it: such was the case of the Israelites in Egypt, where it is not likely they were allowed to keep it. 2. We “must keep it holy:” not only abstracted from worldly business, but devoted to sacred purposes: and the master of the family is not only to observe the precept himself, but to enjoin it on his servants, and to give the peace of it, so far as regards rest, even to his labouring cattle.

The observation of the sabbath is, however, no less a privilege than it is a duty; as it affords (or ought to afford) opportunity to servants and others to enjoy the privileges of public and social worship, who would otherwise have no opportunity to attend it; and suggests an admonition to those who, amidst the bustle of life, would be very liable to forget it. The remaining precepts regard the second table, our duty to our neighbour; on which we need only to remark, that they can extend to the inmost thoughts of the heart, as already mentioned: thus, to honour parents, implies filial affection, and embraces all the duties of subordination; for the parent was originally master and magistrate, priest and bishop of his own family; and all ranks of governors only exercise their authority with propriety when they render it parental.

The negative precepts, “Thou shalt not kill—commit adultery—steal—bear false witness,” &c. forbid causeless and immoderate anger, and deception; lascivious thoughts, fraudulent designs, perjury, calumny, and necessary use of every species of deception. The tenth commandment is made special and particular, as if from foresight, that covetousness was to be the besetting sin of the children of Israel. The remainder of this chapter seems to require little remark from us. It shows the awful impression that the revelation from Sinai had made upon the people of Israel; and, when taken in connexion with their subsequent history, affords us a useful lesson on the insufficiency of any outward circumstances duly to impress the heart, without the aid of divine grace.

The three last verses regard the erection of an altar, previous to the establishment of the tabernacle and temple; and show that the primitive forms of worship were very plain and simple, and that the first altars were either mounds of earth, or masses of the rock. This simplicity, however, was far from impeding the divine blessing. He whose throne is in the heavens, and the earth his footstool, has said, without any regard to the pomp of earthly temples, “In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee and bless thee.” Chap. XX Ver. 1-18. Bezaleel and Aholiab endowed with peculiar talents for the work of the Tabernacle.—St. James teaches us, that “every good gift” as well as “every perfect gift,” comes from God; and exhorts, therefore, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, and upbraideth not.” This relates, not only to that wisdom which is spiritual, and applies to the interests of another life; but also unto that which regards the concerns of the present, as in the instance now before us. Speaking of Bezaleel, the Lord says, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God… to devise cunning works, to work in gold and in silver, and in brass; and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have… Bezaleel and Aholiab are called for the work of the tabernacle. 12 The observation of the sabbath is again commanded.

18 Moses receiveth the two tables. AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of work— 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom; that they may make all that I have commanded thee: 7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the vessels.

And the table and his furniture, and the… And in the hearts of all that are given with him Aholiab… put wisdom; that they may make all that wise-hearted I have commanded thee.” We should remember, that all wisdom is from above, and to be sought by prayer; we are to “ask of God.” When the Lord requires any particular service, he will furnish instruments to accomplish it, and has been exemplified, particularly in the Missionary labours of the present age. Were the Scriptures to be translated into the languages of the East? How remarkably has the providence of God appeared in the raising up such men as Marshman, Morrison and Milne, Buchanan and Carey, Lee, and many others; some of whom seem to have succeeded almost by miracle!

The discoveries of science have also eminently assisted in the propagation of the gospel: as, for instance, the invention of printing in the sixteenth century; and of steam navigation and steam printing in the present; the former affording remarkable facilities for the conveyance of Missionaries, and for the cheap printing of Bibles and Religious Tracts. Even the discoveries of hardy navigators (howbeit they thought not so) have been made instrumental in this work. Little did Captain Cook and his coadjutors suppose, that in navigating the Southern Pacific Ocean, they were the harbingers of Christian Missionaries: yet so it proved: and should the progress of religion among sailors correspond with present appearances, thousands of Missionaries may be formed, to carry the gospel round the world with little or no expense.

Then, indeed, may we say, in a new and unexpected sense, that “His way is in the sea, and his path in the great waters.” ((Psalms 77:19).) The close of this chapter contains a repetition of the law of the sabbath, with the penalty of death against offenders. Far be it from us to wish to revive the penal statutes of Judaism under the Christian dispensation; but those who think the neglect of the sabbath a light and trifling matter, would do well to recollect, that the God of Israel classed this offence under the same penalty as murder! The sabbath was also to be a distinguishing sign that Israel were the Lord’s people. And now at the end of the forty days Moses was in the mount, the Lord gave to him the “two tables of stone, written with the finger of God,” and containing the ten commandments; of which, this of the sabbath was one of the most conspicuous.