A high, bare granite mountain catching the first light of dawn on its summit, a vast camp of low tents tiny across the wide plain below.

The Book of

Exodus 19

Rescued from Egypt, carried through the desert, Israel camps at the foot of the mountain. Before a single law, God tells them who they are to Him.

25 verses≈ 5 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–6Slaves in EgyptOppression and a deliverer
7–13The plaguesThe LORD against Pharaoh
14–18Through the seaRescued and led
19–24At SinaiThe covenant and the lawChapter 19
25–31A place to dwellThe tabernacle planned
32–40Broken and renewedThe calf, mercy, the glory

Israel at Mount Sinai

In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

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Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Egypt to Sinai

In the third month after leaving Egypt, Israel “came to the Wilderness of Sinai.” The dashed line is one proposed route, from Rameses by Succoth, Etham and Pi-hahiroth to the sea, then south by Marah, Elim, the Wilderness of Sin and Rephidim. Every site but Egypt itself is uncertain. Mount Sinai (Horeb) is traditionally Jebel Musa in the south of the peninsula; other mountains have been proposed.

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:

A great eagle, seen from below and behind with wings spread wide, soars over a desert of bare ridges at dawn.

‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

0:23

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Moses

So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.

The Israelites

And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.”

Moses

So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.

Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Exodus 19:5–6

Reflect

Carried, then called

Before God gave Israel one commandment, He reminded them: “I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Only then did He say, “Now if you will indeed obey My voice.” They did not obey to be rescued; they had been rescued, and now they could obey. Think of one area where you find obedience hard. Write down what God has already done for you in Christ, and let that be the reason you obey.

The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.”

And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.

God

Question

Quick question

At the mountain, God told Moses what Israel would be to Him if they kept His covenant.

What did God say Israel would be to Him?

The LORD Visits Sinai

On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.

The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,

God

and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

Moses

But Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, for You solemnly warned us, ‘Put a boundary around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

God

And the LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against them.”

So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

Two mountains

Whiteboard

At Sinai God said, “Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death,” and the mountain “was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire.” Hebrews 12 looks back at that day and tells Christians: you have not come to that mountain, but to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, whose sprinkled blood speaks a better word. The same holy God, now approached through Christ.

Pray

Holy, and near

At Sinai the people stood behind a boundary while the mountain smoked and shook, and God warned them “not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish.” Pray with that awe. Thank God that He is holy, and that in Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, you may come near to Him without fear of being struck down. Ask Him to keep you from treating His nearness lightly.

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Exodus 19

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A verse to carry with you

Exodus 19:5–6

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