Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
26. Neither shalt thou go up. When God had prescribed modesty to the priests in their whole life, and in their private actions, no wonder that He should require especial care of decency and propriety in the performance of their sacred duties.
God spoke to you from heaven itself, not as some prince condescending to beggars, yet you turn to silver and gold images as if He were absent or unknown. This is the sin He means to crush: you have seen no form, heard only His voice, and that very silence about His shape forbids you to make one. Keep communion with God by His word, not by idols.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 20:22-26
by steps--a precaution taken for the sake of decency, in consequence of the loose, wide, flowing garments of the priests. Next: Exodus Chapter 21