*Exodus 19:1-25
Arriving at Mount Sinai, the Israelites prepare to receive God’s covenant law, including the Ten Commandments.
- Arrival at Sinai:
- The Israelites reach the wilderness of Sinai three months after leaving Egypt and camp in front of Mount Sinai.
- God’s Message to Moses:
- God calls Moses from the mountain, reminding him of how He bore the Israelites “on eagles’ wings” to bring them to Himself.
- God proposes a covenant: If the Israelites obey Him and keep His covenant, they will be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.
- Moses Conveys God’s Words:
- Moses relays God’s message to the elders of the people, who unanimously agree to do everything the Lord has spoken.
- Preparation for the Theophany:
- God instructs Moses to consecrate the people today and tomorrow. They are to wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, for on that day God will descend on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
- Boundaries are set around the mountain with strict warnings that neither people nor animals should touch the mountain, or they will be put to death.
- The Theophany of God:
- On the morning of the third day, there are thunders, lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain. A very loud trumpet blast causes all in the camp to tremble.
- Moses leads the people out of the camp to meet God; they stand at the foot of the mountain.
- Mount Sinai is covered in smoke because the Lord descends on it in fire; the smoke ascends like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quakes greatly.
- As the sound of the trumpet grows louder and louder, Moses speaks, and God answers him in thunder.
- Moses on the Mountain:
- God calls Moses to the top of the mountain; Moses goes up.
- God instructs Moses to go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord, lest many of them perish.
- The priests also need to consecrate themselves to avoid the Lord’s wrath.
- Moses descends to the people and conveys God’s warnings.
This passage sets the stage for the giving of the Ten Commandments and the subsequent establishment of the Mosaic covenant, underscoring the themes of obedience, reverence, and the holiness of God’s presence.
Exodus 19:1-25 teaches us that preparing our hearts to meet God is important. Before giving the Israelites His commandments, God called them to be set apart and ready to listen. This reminds us that growing closer to God takes effort—we need to take time to seek Him, follow His guidance, and approach Him with respect. It encourages us to be intentional about our faith, listen to God’s words, and live in a way that honors Him.
Exodus 19:1-25 (WEB)
19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.”Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD. 9 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to the LORD. 10 The LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready for the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because the LORD descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.21 The LORD said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests also, who come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break out on them.”23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’ ”24 The LORD said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them.”25 So Moses went down to the people, and told them.