The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.
God veils Himself in cloud so the people witness that Moses merely delivers what he receives from Heaven, not his own word. Every doctrine must be proved by this alone: that it comes from God, not from any mortal, however excellent in wisdom. Even the mightiest prophet obtains credit only because he speaks God's commands.
AI summary
The thick cloud prohibits curious enquiries into secret things and commands awful adoration of what is revealed. God comes down visibly so the people see His glory and are convinced He is among them. This honours Moses especially: when they hear God speak to him and see it with their own eyes, they will believe him forever.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 19:9-15
God appears in the cloud not as the pillar that led them, but in a fresh descent three days hence. Though the cloud is so thick they see no similitude, the voice of God speaking to Moses is loud enough that this vast multitude, standing below, hears it as witnesses both to His word and to Moses's truth.
AI summary