19 and say unto Moses, 'Speak thou with us, and we hear, and let not God speak with us, lest we die.' 20 And Moses saith unto the people, 'Fear not, for to try you hath God come, and in order that His fear may be before your faces—that ye sin not.' 21 And the people stand afar off, and Moses hath drawn nigh unto the thick darkness where God 'is'.
22 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Thus dost thou say unto the sons of Israel: Ye—ye have seen that from the heavens I have spoken with you; 23 ye do not make with Me gods of silver, even gods of gold ye do not make to yourselves.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 20:19-23
Commentary on Exodus 20:18-21
(Read Exodus 20:18-21)
This law, which is so extensive that we cannot measure it, so spiritual that we cannot evade it, and so reasonable that we cannot find fault with it, will be the rule of the future judgment of God, as it is for the present conduct of man. If tried by this rule, we shall find our lives have been passed in transgressions. And with this holy law and an awful judgment before us, who can despise the gospel of Christ? And the knowledge of the law shows our need of repentance. In every believer's heart sin is dethroned and crucified, the law of God is written, and the image of God renewed. The Holy Spirit enables him to hate sin and flee from it, to love and keep this law in sincerity and truth; nor will he cease to repent.
Commentary on Exodus 20:22-26
(Read Exodus 20:22-26)
Moses having entered into the thick darkness, God there spake in his hearing all that follows from hence to the end of chap. 23, which is mostly an exposition of the ten commandments. The laws in these verses relate to God's worship. The Israelites are assured of God's gracious acceptance of their devotions. Under the gospel, men are encouraged to pray every where, and wherever God's people meet in his name to worship him, he will be in the midst of them; there he will come unto them, and will bless them.