Chapter 19

19:1  In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

In the third month

At Sinai Israel learned the lessons:

(1) of the holiness of Jehovah through the Commandments;

(2) of their own sinfulness and weakness through failure;

(3) and of the goodness of Jehovah through the provision of priesthood and sacrifice. The Christian learns through the experience of Romans 7:7-24 what Israel learned at Sinai. This division of Exodus should be read in light of ; Romans 3:19-27 ; 7:7-24 ; Galatians 4:1-3 ; Galatians 3:6-25 explains the relation of the law to the Abrahamic Covenant:

(1) the law cannot disannul that covenant;

(2) it was "added" to convict of sin;

(3) it was a child-leader unto Christ;

(4) it was but preparatory discipline "till the Seed should come."

third month i.e. June.

19:3  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

Thus shalt thou say

It is exceedingly important to observe:

(1) that Jehovah reminded the people that hitherto they had been the objects of His free grace;

(2) that the law is not proposed as a means of life, but as a means by which Israel might become "a peculiar treasure" and a "kingdom of priests";

(3) that the law was not imposed until it had been proposed and voluntarily accepted. The principle is stated in Galatians 5:1-4 .

For Another Point of View: See Topic 301181

Additional Factors to Consider See Topic 301321

19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

if ye will obey

(Cf) 1 Peter 2:9 ; Revelation 1:6 ; 5:10 . What, under law, was condition, is under grace, freely given to every believer. The "if" of Exodus 19:5 is the essence of law as a method of divine dealing, and the fundamental reason why "the law made nothing perfect" ; Romans 8:3 ; Hebrews 7:18 Hebrews 7:19 .

The Abrahamic: (See Scofield "Genesis 15:18") and

New (See Scofield "Hebrews 8:8")

covenants minister salvation and assurance because they impose but one condition, faith.

19:8  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

we will do

The Fifth Dispensation: Law. This dispensation extends from Sinai to Calvary--from Exodus to the Cross. The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the land is one long record of the violation of the law. The testing of the nation by law ended in the judgment of the Captivities, but the dispensation itself ended at the Cross.

(1) Man's state at the beginning Exodus 19:1-4 .

(2) His responsibility Exodus 19:5 Exodus 19:6 ; Romans 10:5 .

(3) His failure 2 Kings 17:7-17 2 Kings 17:19 ; Acts 2:22 Acts 2:23 .

(4) The judgment 2 Kings 17:1-6 2 Kings 17:20 ; 25:1-11 ; Luke 21:20-24

For Another Point of View: See Topic 301180

See, for the other six dispensations: INNOCENCE ( Genesis 1:28 ); CONSCIENCE ( Genesis 3:23 ); HUMAN GOVERNMENT ( Genesis 8:20 ); PROMISE ( Genesis 12:1 ); GRACE ( John 1:17 ); KINGDOM ( 1:10 )

(See Scofield "Genesis 1:28") . See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ". See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ". See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ". See Scofield " John 1:17 ". See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ".

19:25  So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

So Moses

The Mosaic Covenant,

(1) given to Israel

(2) in three divisions, each essential to the others, and together forming the Mosaic Covenant, viz.: the Commandments, expressing the righteous will of God Exodus 20:1-26 the "judgments," governing the social life of Israel ; Exodus 21:1- ; 24:11 and the "ordinances," governing the religious life of Israel ; Exodus 24:12- ; 31:18 . These three elements form "the law," as that phrase is generically used in the New Testament (e.g.) Matthew 5:17 Matthew 5:18 . The Commandments and the ordinances formed one religious system. The Commandments were a "ministry of condemnation" and of "death" 2 Corinthians 3:7-9 the ordinances gave, in the high priest, a representative of the people with Jehovah; and in the sacrifices a "cover" (see "Atonement," (See Scofield "Leviticus 16:6") for their sins in anticipation of the Cross ; Hebrews 5:1-3 ; 9:6-9 ; Romans 3:25 Romans 3:26 . The Christian is not under the conditional Mosaic Covenant of works, the law, but under the unconditional New Covenant of grace. ; Romans 3:21-27 ; Romans 6:14 Romans 6:15 ; Galatians 2:16 ; Galatians 3:10-14 Galatians 3:16-18 Galatians 3:24-26 ; 4:21-31 ; Hebrews 10:11-17 . See NEW COVENANT.

(See Scofield "Hebrews 8:8")

See,for the other seven covenants:

EDENIC (See Scofield "Genesis 1:28") ; ADAMIC See Scofield " Genesis 3:15 "; NOAHIC See Scofield " Genesis 9:1 "; ABRAHAMIC See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 "; PALESTINIAN See Scofield " Deuteronomy 30:3 "; DAVIDIC See Scofield " 2 Samuel 7:16 "; NEW See Scofield " 8:8 ".