Exodus 19:1-15

At the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai.¹ They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.² Now therefore, if³ you obey my voice and keep my covenant,⁴ you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,⁵ but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.⁶ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.’

So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all those words hat the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.”⁷

Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.⁸ Then the Lord said to Moses. “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and so trust you ever after.”⁹ When Moses had told the words of the people to the Lord, the Lord said to Moses: “Go to the people and consecrate them¹⁰ today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and prepare for the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death.¹¹ No hand shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with arrows: whether animal or human being, they shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain.”¹²

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. And he said to the people, “Prepare for the third day: do not go near a woman.”¹³

1 I'm curious as to whether this in-between time from the escape to the covenant was a chance for God to prove to them his provision, or for the Israelites to prove to God their faithfulness. The first certainly happened more clearly than the second.

2 God emphasizes his provision.

3 “if” you do these things, you shall be a treasured possession. This is the strongest condition yet placed on God's provision. He has demonstrated over and over that he can and will provide for them, but now he is requiring more from their side.

4 God has noted his covenant with Abraham and the fathers several times, but this is the first mention of the Israelites having to “keep” it.

5 Making very clear that he is not just a local deity.

6 Emphasizing their special place in his plan.

7 They are very unified in obedience for now.

8 As if he did not already know them? But we do the same thing, no?

9 God promises a sign before the people to increase their trust.

10 Something has to be “different” about them for when the Lord comes.

11 A very strong command for an apparently innocent action. Why is there something so wrong with wanting to approach the Lord?

12 So at some point they may go up on the mountain, though it's unclear whether God will still be there.

13 Brings up all sorts of questions. Does this mean women are unclean? Or does it mean sex is unclean? And does this statement show that he was speaking to men alone, or is it shorthand that applied to both sexes?

Take-home: God prepares the people for the full unveiling of his covenant to them. They are to be a holy people and a nation of priests, set aside as his special treasure. But much is going to be asked from them in the process.