Exodus 20 Scofield
Read Exodus 20 · Matthew Henry on Exodus 20
20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
“shalt not make”
There is a threefold giving of the law. First, orally, in Ex 20:1–17. This was pure law, with no provision of priesthood and sacrifice for failure, and was accompanied by the "judgments"; Ex 21:1 to Ex 23:13; relating to the relations of Hebrew with Hebrew; to which were added Ex 23:14–19 directions for keeping three annual feasts, and Ex 23:20–33 instructions for the conquest of Canaan. These words Moses communicated to the people. Ex 24:3–8. Immediately, in the persons of their elders, they were admitted to the fellowship of God. Ex 24:9–11.
Second, Moses was then called up to receive the tables of stone. Ex 24:12–18. The story then divides. Moses, in the mount, receives the gracious instructions concerning the tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifice (Exodus 25-31.) Meantime (Exodus 32.), the people, led by Aaron, break the first commandment. Moses, returning, breaks the tables "written with the finger of God."; Ex 31:18; Ex 32:16–19.
Third, the second tables were made by Moses, and the law again written by the hand of Jehovah Ex 34:1; Ex 34:28; Ex 34:29; Deut 10:4.
20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
“afar off”
For contrast between law and grace, cf. Eph 2:13; Luke 1:10 with Heb 10:19–22.
20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
“fear”
(See Scofield "Ps 19:9").
Public domain (1917). Text from the BibleSupport.com e-Sword module.
20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
“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 Ex 20:1–26 the "judgments," governing the social life of Israel; Ex 21:1 to Ex 24:11 and the "ordinances," governing the religious life of Israel; Ex 24:12 to Ex 31:18. These three elements form "the law," as that phrase is generically used in the New Testament (e.g.) Matt 5:17; Matt 5:18. The Commandments and the ordinances formed one religious system. The Commandments were a "ministry of condemnation" and of "death" 2 Cor 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 "Lev 16:6") for their sins in anticipation of the Cross; Heb 5:1–3; Heb 9:6–9; Rom 3:25; Rom 3:26. The Christian is not under the conditional Mosaic Covenant of works, the law, but under the unconditional New Covenant of grace.; Rom 3:21–27; Rom 6:14; Rom 6:15; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:10–14; Gal 3:16–18; Gal 3:24–26; Gal 4:21–31; Heb 10:11–17. See NEW COVENANT.
(See Scofield "Heb 8:8")
See,for the other seven covenants:
EDENIC (See Scofield "Gen 1:28"); ADAMIC See Scofield "Gen 3:15"; NOAHIC See Scofield "Gen 9:1"; ABRAHAMIC See Scofield "Gen 15:18"; PALESTINIAN See Scofield "Deut 30:3"; DAVIDIC See Scofield "2 Sam 7:16"; NEW See Scofield "Heb 8:8".