20:12-17 We might think that this is the list of commandments that Jesus speaks to the young man [Matthew 19:16] about. However, on comparing the Exodus list with the one in Matthew we notice that Exodus 20:17 'Thou shalt not covet' is not quoted by Jesus. Actually this is the one commandment that the young man was unable to say that he kept. His difficulty doing what Jesus asked shows this.

19:5 In calling Israel a 'peculiar treasure' we are introduced to a concept which is used elsewhere in the Scriptures for example 1 Peter 2:9 - see also Exodus 19:6 'kingdom of priests' which Peter also uses 1 Peter 2:9

20:5 The specific mention of 'third and fourth generation' catches a phrase only found in the books of the Exodus - Exodus 34:7 Numbers 14:18 Deuteronomy 5:9. So does it refer to the generation that died in Egypt (the third generation Ezekiel 20:9) and those who came out of Egypt (the fourth generation Genesis 15:16)

19:6 We have become so familiar with the idea that God’s servants will be a kingdom of priests that maybe we miss the force of what Moses said here. The whole nation were promises equal status as priests and rulers. It was only their rebellion which caused Him to select the tribe of Levi for the priesthood.

20:19 So this majestic law caused the people to request that God did not speak with them – an indication of how the people were unable to ‘hear’ the law and do it.

Mount Sinai is the same as Mount Horeb Exo 3:1-12.  Moses is back, this time with the people of Israel.  God is not "limited" to a burning bush, nor to a column of fire on top of a mountain, but He uses such small things for us to appreciate His limitless power.
Exo 19:6-20 I wonder if God used the same four signs to Moses as He did later, on the same mountain, to Elijah (see 1Kin 19:11,12 wind, earthquake, fire, and a still small voice (or "gentle breeze").  The mount quaked (earthquake), and the smoke arose (fire). Was there a wind which dispersed the clouds? Then, for Elijah, the still, small, voice; and for Moses "God answered him by a voice."

19:4 - I have been told that baby eagles having difficulty with flying can have their parent swoop down and catch them thus saving them.

19:19-20 - 50 days after the passover the law was given on the day of Pentecost and day of Jubilee God appeared to Moses on the mount and then gave the 10 commandments. Similarly, the New Test day of Pentecost in Acts 2 was a beginning of sorts also.

20:20 - the first usage of "fear" is Heb. "yare" (3372) which means to "revere", and/or to "fear" and the second usage is the related Heb. "yirah" (3374) which means "reverence", and/or to "fear". Luke 12:5 "I say unto you fear Him" uses the Grk. "phobeo" (5399) for "fear" which can mean "revere, reverence, fear" while 1John 4:18 "There is no fear in love" uses the Grk. " phoinix" (5401) for "fear" which means "fear" but does not suggest "reverence".

19:23    Early in the wilderness journey Moses presumed, or so it seemed, that Israel would obey what God had commanded. Hence he told God that the people would not break through as they had been told not to do so. As time goes on Moses realises that the people are stiff necked and disobedient and cannot be trusted to do God’s word.

19:24 there would appear to be priests already, altho God does not give the details for Aaron & his family until ch 28, and the Levites are not chosen until ch 32.

20:5,6 we note the mercy & grace of God - he punishes to the 3rd/4th generation, but loves to the 1000th!

20:21 was the darkness/thick cloud to keep the people from seeing/being blinded by the brightness of the glory of God. v 19 our attitude to God determines our relationship with Him cp Matt 25:24-30

20:19 They had been so willing to say that they would do God word - Exo 19:8 - and now they do not even want to hear His voice!

19:3 The cloud that lead the Israelites now rested on the mountain. Moses was beckoned to go up the mountain to meet Yahweh. Actually, it was an angel (Acts 7:38). Nevertheless, the angel was speaking in Yahweh’s Name and, thus, represented Him.

19:10 Yahweh required that His people be clean (themselves and their clothes) before His being presented to them. This kind of act has been transported through the ages to give rise to such proverbs as: Cleanliness in next to Godliness.

19:18 see Heb 12:29.

20:1 Remember that all the people, standing at the base of the mountain, could hear these words (19:9).

20:18 Yahweh seems to punctuate His awesome presence at the end of each command, because this display had happened before (19:16).

20:21 The presence of Yahweh in thick clouds of darkness would similarly occur at Christ’s crucifixion (Psa 18:9-11; Luke 23:44,45).

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
During the 40 years wilderness journey, the nation became organised, laws were given, officials appointed, the commonwealth of Israel came into existence and BECAME KNOWN AS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Exo 19:6 1Sam 8:7 1Chron 29:11,23 2Chron 13:8
When Israel went out of Egypt ... Judah was his sanctuary and Israel his dominion Psa 114:1-2
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

v5 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned
1. The right of Israel to be called God's Kingdom was dependent on their obedience Exo 19:5 Deut 4:23 Deut 28:1,15 Lev 26:14. If Israel was obedient, the nation would be blessed Deut 28:1-14 for example 1Sam 7:3,4,11. (Appearance of God to Solomon: 1Kin 9:4-9 2Chron 7:17-22).
2. If Israel was disobedient, Lev 26:14, Deut 28:15
 - Israel would be overturned by a foreign power by terrible sieges Deut 28:49,52,53,55
 - Israel would be carried away into captivity Deut 28:64-65, Lev 26:33
 - The land would be desolate Lev 26:31-34

First Principles>Kingdom of God
For more about the Kingdom of God, go to Gen 12:1

19:22 Notice the mention of ‘priests’ before the selection of the tribe of Levi. This is one of many indications in the early books or the Bible that there was a system of worship already in place when the law of Moses was given.

V.8 The prosperous wicked are proud (Psa 5:5). They die, as well as live, free from perplexities, pride adorns them, and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with unexpected success, with this "they are corrupt". They speak maliciously and arrogantly.   

73:3-8   It is so easy to, on looking at the apparent prosperity and trouble free lives of some who do not regard God, to be envious and to question why things are so. Of course we do not know what really is going on in the lives of those we are looking at. However going into the sanctuary (:17) was the antidote for the Psalmist.

When Asaph went into the Sanctuary (v17) he understood the answer to his problem. But what was it about the inside of the temple that caught his mind?

As he walked through the doors into the courtyard, he was confronted by a large altar and large golden basin of water next to it. If he wanted to walk any further towards the inner sanctuary to be near to God, he first had to and make sacrifices, and to be clean. These strikingly visual obstacles between him and God may have been the thing that caught his imagination, because in his conclusion of v27-28, he compares those who draw near to God (i.e. are clean of heart v13), compared to those who stand far off (not prepared to sacrifice to be clean). He realised that to be near to God required a certain amount of suffering (the altar) and cleansing (the basin) in order to be acceptable to Him. This had been his experience in v13-14, and he was now suddenly able to see that it was not a vain cause. His difficulties in life were actually preparing him to reach God (v14, 23-24).

73:17 - What did Asaph see when he came into the sanctuary that reminded him of the end of the wicked?
Perhaps the beaten plates on the altar made from the golden censers of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Num 16:37-40) would have reminded him that no matter what the world seems to offer, it cannot be in fellowship with the living God, and that it's end is always destruction.

V.3 It is clear that Jesus had siblings.  That means Mary and Joseph had children subsequent to the birth of Christ. There are those, like the Catholic church, who deny this and suggest that brother and sister means near relative and, therefore, not necessarily descriptive of a sibling.  They do this to perpetuate the cult of Mary whom they have elevated to an everlasting virgin as the Queen of Heaven. This maintains the idolatrous form of Semiramis which began in Babylon (see my note on Ex.7 & 8, for Feb 2).

6:32     Because Jesus went 'privately' to the desert place was have to conclude that the feeding of the 5,000 was not a planned affair. Jesus saw the need and met it. How often do we meet situations that we are not expecting and then fail then meet the need?

We see that although the disciples could heal, they were not able to provide bread for the multitude. We know that only Jesus could provide the bread of life.

v 13 part of their healing process was the anointing with oil, which has ties to Psa 23, Isa 1:6, James 5:14 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37

It’s a sad commentary on the disciples that their heart was hardened (Mark 6:52), and that they considered not the miracle of feeding the 5,000. They had been sent out to preach and to heal (Mark 6:7-13,30), and had tasted the wonderful gift from God of being able to do miracles, themselves. Now one more wonderful miracle by Jesus leaves them cold and unmoved.  How sad! Let’s make sure that we never loose our appreciation of what the Lord does for us.

6:22-23        In the comment of Herod we see him mimicking another gentile monarch as we see two quotations from Est 5:3. In speaking of our promises who do we imitate?

6:4 There is poignancy in Jesus’ words ‘among his own household’ for his brother did not believe in him – John 7:5

6:10 ‘there abide’ teaches that the itinerant preacher – which is us as well as the disciples – should be happy to accept whatever situation we find ourselves in. If the disciples did not like the accommodation whey were offered in a town they were not to go looking for a better place to lodge.

The feeding of the 5000 and the events leading up to it have many parallels in Psalm 23.  Jesus led the people around  the lake shore.  He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.  He made them lie down in green pastures (The word translated as sit is also translated as laid - Luke 2:7) and fed them. He restored their souls with the food and there was no want amongst the crowd - they were filled

39 Mark is the only gospel writer to record that the grass was green - surely pointing us towards Psalm 23.  It may seem superfluous to mention the colour since grass usually is green.  However, these events took place immediately after the passover, in spring (John 6:4).  The countryside would have been at its greenest point in the year.

33 The people saw Jesus departing in the boat and ran round the lake arriving before the boat did.  They would have crossed the Jordan where it flowed into the Sea of Galilee - possibly in flood at this time.  We note that they ran to see Jesus.  How keen are you to be with the Lord on a Sunday or for Bible Class?.