1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they [into] the wilderness of Sinai.
2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come [to] the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, [that ye] go [not] up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:
13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether [it be] beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at [your] wives.
16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that [was] in the camp trembled.
17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses [up] to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.
25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.
Context and Setting
Exodus 19 takes place after the Israelites have escaped from slavery in Egypt and are on their way to the Promised Land. They arrive at Mount Sinai, where they will receive the Law from God. This chapter is crucial as it sets the stage for the covenant between God and the Israelites, emphasizing their unique status as His chosen people.
Key Themes
- Covenant Relationship: The chapter highlights the establishment of a covenant between God and the Israelites, which is foundational for their identity as a nation.
- Holiness and Separation: God’s call for the people to be holy and separate reflects His nature and the expectations He has for His people.
- Preparation for Revelation: The instructions given to the Israelites signify the importance of preparation before encountering God.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-2: Arrival at Sinai
The chapter begins with the Israelites arriving at the wilderness of Sinai in the third month after their departure from Egypt. This timing is significant as it marks a period of preparation and transformation for the people.
- The mention of “the third month” emphasizes the importance of time in God’s plan.
- The camp at the foot of the mountain symbolizes a pivotal moment in their journey, both physically and spiritually.
Verses 3-6: God’s Invitation
God calls Moses to the mountain and communicates His intentions to establish a covenant with the Israelites. He reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt and outlines the conditions of their relationship.
- God refers to the Israelites as “My treasured possession,” indicating their special status.
- The call to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” signifies their role as mediators between God and the world.
Verses 7-8: Israel’s Response
Moses conveys God’s message to the people, and they respond affirmatively, expressing their commitment to obey God’s commands.
- This response reflects the people’s willingness to enter into a covenant relationship.
- It sets a tone of obedience that will be tested throughout their journey.
Verses 9-13: Preparation for God’s Presence
God instructs Moses to prepare the people for His revelation, emphasizing the need for holiness and boundaries around the mountain.
- The warning against approaching the mountain underscores the seriousness of God’s holiness.
- The physical separation serves as a metaphor for the spiritual separation required to approach God.
Verses 14-15: Consecration of the People
Moses goes down the mountain to consecrate the people, instructing them to wash their clothes and prepare themselves for the encounter with God.
- This act of consecration signifies the importance of purity in approaching God.
- The preparation reflects the seriousness of the covenant they are about to enter.
Verses 16-19: The Theophany
The chapter describes a dramatic theophany as God descends upon Mount Sinai in fire, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
- The sensory details highlight the power and majesty of God, instilling fear and reverence in the people.
- The sound of the trumpet signifies God’s call and the importance of His message.
Verses 20-25: God’s Command to Moses
God instructs Moses to bring the people to the foot of the mountain, reinforcing the boundaries established earlier.
- This command emphasizes the need for respect and caution in approaching the divine.
- Moses’ role as mediator is further established, highlighting the importance of leadership in the covenant relationship.
Conclusion
Exodus 19 serves as a foundational chapter in the narrative of the Israelites, marking the transition from a people in bondage to a nation under God’s covenant. The themes of holiness, preparation, and the seriousness of their relationship with God are central to understanding the significance of the Law that will soon be given. This chapter sets the stage for the subsequent giving of the Ten Commandments and the establishment of the Israelite identity as a holy nation.
