The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
In the third month
At Sinai Israel learned the lessons:
(1) of the holiness of Jehovah through the Commandments;
(2) of their own sinfulness and weakness through failure;
(3) and of the goodness of Jehovah through the provision of priesthood and sacrifice. The Christian learns through the experience of (Rom 7:7-24) what Israel learned at Sinai. This division of Exodus should be read in light of; (Rom 3:19-27); (Rom 7:7-24); (Gal 4:1-3); (Gal 3:6-25) explains the relation of the law to the Abrahamic Covenant:
(1) the law cannot disannul that covenant;
(2) it was "added" to convict of sin;
(3) it was a child-leader unto Christ;
(4) it was but preparatory discipline "till the Seed should come."
third month
That is, June.
Thus shalt thou say
It is exceedingly important to observe:
(1) that Jehovah reminded the people that hitherto they had been the objects of His free grace;
(2) that the law is not proposed as a means of life, but as a means by which Israel might become "a peculiar treasure" and a "kingdom of priests";
(3) that the law was not imposed until it had been proposed and voluntarily accepted. The principle is stated in (Gal 5:1-4).
if ye will obey
(Cf) (Pe1 2:9); (Rev 1:6); (Rev 5:10). What, under law, was condition, is under grace, freely given to every believer. The "if" of (Exo 19:5) is the essence of law as a method of divine dealing, and the fundamental reason why "the law made nothing perfect"; (Rom 8:3); (Heb 7:18); (Heb 7:19).
The Abrahamic: (See Scofield) - (Gen 15:18) and New (See Scofield) - (Heb 8:8) covenants minister salvation and assurance because they impose but one condition, faith.
we will do
The Fifth Dispensation: Law. This dispensation extends from Sinai to Calvary -- from Exodus to the Cross. The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the land is one long record of the violation of the law. The testing of the nation by law ended in the judgment of the Captivities, but the dispensation itself ended at the Cross.
(1) Man's state at the beginning (Exo 19:1-4).
(2) His responsibility (Exo 19:5); (Exo 19:6); (Rom 10:5).
(3) His failure (Kg2 17:7-17); (Kg2 17:19); (Act 2:22); (Act 2:23).
(4) The judgment (Kg2 17:1-6); (Kg2 17:20); (Kg2 25:1-11); (Luk 21:20-24).
See, for the other six dispensations:
INNOCENCE (Gen 1:28);
CONSCIENCE (Gen 3:23);
HUMAN GOVERNMENT (Gen 8:20);
PROMISE (Gen 12:1);
GRACE (Joh 1:17);
KINGDOM ( 1:10)
(See Scofield) - (Gen 1:28).
(See Scofield) - (Gen 3:23).
(See Scofield) - (Gen 8:21).
(See Scofield) - (Gen 12:1).
(See Scofield) - (Joh 1:17).
(See Scofield) - (Eph 1:10).
So Moses
The Mosaic Covenant,
(1) given to Israel
(2) in three divisions, each essential to the others, and together forming the Mosaic Covenant, namely: the Commandments, expressing the righteous will of God (Exo 20:1-26) the "judgments," governing the social life of Israel; (Exo 21:1-; (Exo 24:11) and the "ordinances," governing the religious life of Israel; (Exo 24:12); (Exo 31:18). These three elements form "the law," as that phrase is generically used in the New Testament (for example) (Mat 5:17); (Mat 5:18). The Commandments and the ordinances formed one religious system. The Commandments were a "ministry of condemnation" and of "death" (Co2 3:7-9) the ordinances gave, in the high priest, a representative of the people with Jehovah; and in the sacrifices a "cover" (see "Atonement,"
(See Scofield) - (Lev 16:6)
for their sins in anticipation of the Cross; (Heb 5:1-3); (Heb 9:6-9); (Rom 3:25); (Rom 3:26). The Christian is not under the conditional Mosaic Covenant of works, the law, but under the unconditional New Covenant of grace. (Rom 3:21-27); (Rom 6:14-15); (Gal 2:16); (Gal 3:10-14); (Gal 3:16-18); (Gal 3:24-26); (Gal 4:21-31); (Heb 10:11-17). See NEW COVENANT.
(See Scofield) - (Heb 8:8)
See, for the other seven covenants:
EDENIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 1:28);
ADAMIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 3:15);
NOAHIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 9:1);
ABRAHAMIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 15:18);
PALESTINIAN
(See Scofield) - (Deu 30:3);
DAVIDIC
(See Scofield) - (Sa2 7:16);
NEW
(See Scofield) - (Heb 8:8).