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Exodus 19
1In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into of Sinai.
2When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the .
3Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him out of the , 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.
5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my , then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine;
6and you shall be to me a kingdom of and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
7Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD commanded him.
8All 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.
9The 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 you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
10The LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people, and them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments,
11and be ready for the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people on Sinai.
12You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the , or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death.
13No 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 .”
14Moses went down from the to the people, and the people; and they washed their clothes.
15He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”
16On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the , and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
17Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the .
18All of 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.
19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.
20The LORD came down on Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21The LORD said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
22Let the also, who come near to the LORD, themselves, lest the LORD break out on them.”
23Moses said to the LORD, “The people can’t come up to Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and it.’”
24The LORD said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them.”
25So Moses went down to the people, and told them.
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Questions this passage answers
Who is God?
God is the one living Creator who made everything and depends on nothing, and Scripture answers this question mainly by telling us his character rather than by defining his substance. When God described himself to Moses he said he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness and truth, and yet will by no means clear the guilty. The New Testament adds that this God is finally known in Jesus Christ, who has made him known.
Does God provide for my needs?
Scripture says yes, and it is careful about the word need. God promises to supply what his people need, often daily rather than in advance, and he does not promise surplus, comfort or the removal of hard seasons. Paul, who wrote that God will supply every need, also wrote that he had learned to be hungry.
What does the Bible say about worry?
Jesus forbids worry about food, drink and clothing, and he argues rather than scolds: your Father knows what you need, he feeds the birds, worry adds nothing to your life. Scripture then gives the worrier something to do, prayer with thanksgiving and casting the burden on God, and it limits the horizon to one day at a time.
What does it mean to fear the Lord?
The fear of the LORD is not terror of an unpredictable God. It is the reverence of a creature who has rightly understood who God is, holy, sovereign and near, and who therefore takes him seriously in every decision. Proverbs calls it the beginning of knowledge, because a person who has not reckoned with God has not yet begun to understand anything rightly.