Bible Commentaries

The Commandments

Exodus 20:22.

There is no mistaking heavenly music. Other voices may seem to rival it, but at points here and there it separates itself from all rivalry, and with an energy all its own appeals to human imagination.—A beautiful expression is this word, "I have talked"; it is full of simplicity and condescension; God is quite close to our car and is conducting communication upon an almost equal level.—God sometimes thunders from heaven or causes the shining of his glory to dazzle the firmament so that no human eyes can gaze upon it.—With these dispensations we cannot interfere; it is when God "talks" with us that we may draw near and listen and ask questions and make replies.—We like to be talked to from heaven when we are in a right condition of mind; though the language is sublime it seems to appeal to something that is born within us. When we hear the heavenly speech, all earthly appeals become low and narrow and unworthy of us.—It is the same with the Book of God.—Once get into its spirit and enjoy the fellowship of its very heart, and all other books seem to be unworthy of the nature that is to be excited and hallowed by Divine communications.—God talks with us from heaven that he may lure us to heaven.—His purpose is never that we should be lower and meaner, but always that we should be higher and richer.—He stands up in the heavenly light to show us to what altitude we may rise.—It is not great superiority that is here indicated, it is a lesson to us of stimulus and encouragement—If God has spoken to us what has he said? Where is his word recorded?—Not a syllable of the Divine message should be lost.—Let us be misers in gathering up every tone and speech of God.