Exodus 23:20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Exodus 23:20 "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

20-25. Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way--The communication of these laws, made to Moses and by him rehearsed to the people, was concluded by the addition of many animating promises, intermingled with several solemn warnings that lapses into sin and idolatry would not be tolerated or passed with impunity.

JFB.

Exodus 23 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: This chapter continues and concludes the acts that passed in the first session (if I may so call it) upon mount Sinai. Here are, I. Some laws of universal obligation, relating especially to the ninth commandment, against bearing false witness (v. 1), and giving false judgment (v. 2, v. 3, v. 6-8). Also a law of doing good to our enemies (v. 4, v. 5), and not oppressing strangers (v. 9). II. Some laws peculiar to the Jews. The sabbatical year (v. 10, v. 11), the three annual feasts (v. 14-17), with some laws pertaining thereto. III. Gracious promises of the completing of the mercy God had begun for them, upon condition of their obedience. That God would conduct them through the wilderness (v. 20-24), that he would prosper all they had (v. 25, v. 26), that he would put them in possession of Canaan (v. 27-31). But they must not mingle themselves with the nations (v. 32, v. 33).

Outline

Laws against falsehood and injustice. (1-9)
The year of rest, The sabbath, The three festivals. (10-19)
God promises to conduct the Israelites to Canaan. (20-33)

Photo of the Sinai Wilderness