And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
God gave the law in thunder and lightning to show us His terrible majesty, to give us a foretaste of judgment day, and to humble our hearts before the gospel's comfort. The people had been bold enough to push forward before; now they learned to keep their distance, and begged Moses to speak for them instead.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 20:18-21
Moses passed through the darkness and cloud into the thick darkness where God dwelt, drawn near either by the people's urgent request or by God's own call upon him to receive their petition and bring it before the Lord.
AI summary
They had seen thunder and lightning strike Egypt with death; now hearing God speak, they feared instant death would come to them also. Even Moses himself shook with fear, until God relieved and steadied his mind so he could comfort the people with the same relief he had received.
AI summary