Exodus 19

The LORD Reveals Himself at Sinai

119 Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt* they arrived in the wilderness of $5.61. 46:1 Sinai. 2After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinaiand 44, I set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. Exod 20:21 3Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from 4¢'s 798 the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce ittothede- beibvoo-2 scendants of Israel: 4’You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how! carried you 188 40:31) after 49:2, 3. Mount Sinai is one of the most sacred locations in Israel’s history. Located in the south-central Sinai peninsula, this mountain is where Moses met God in a burning bush, God made his covenant with Israel, and Elijah heard God in the gentle whisper. Here God gave his people the laws and guidelines for right living. They learned the potential blessings of obedience (34:4-28) and the tragic consequences of disobedience (34:7). 19:4-6 God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery. Now he was ready to tell them what it was: Israel was to longs to me. 6And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message |... 1 ntain and called together the elders of the people and +'pera'5, 9 told them everything the LORD answer back to the LORD. 19:8 + 19:9 Moses told the LORD what the people had said. °Then the LORD told Moses, “Go down Exo 19:16; 24:15 the LORD 49.19 will come down on Mount Sinai Heb 10:22 may touch the person or animal that c 19:11 eath.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds along Exod 19:16 14So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and theywashed 4.4, 19:1 Hebrew in the third month after the Israelites left Egypt, on the very day, i.e., two lunar months to the day of life, to teach his Word, and to be an agent of salvation to the would come to the LORD through Israel, predicted Isaiah (Isaiah rigorous training program, so that one day it could be a channel become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation where anyone ham, promising to make his descendants into a great nation. descendants from the tribe of Levi as priests (Leviticus 8-9), promised to bless and care for them. The people promised to plan to all believers. We are to become holy, “royal priests” God? How are you holding up your end of the bargain? 19:5 Why did God choose Israel as his nation? God knew that people were to set themselves apart from sin and even ordinary anything they had done, but in his love and mercy he chose Israel ready. When we meet God for worship, we should set aside isa 40:31; 63:9 on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5Now if you willobeymeand keep my covenant, 19.5 you must give to the people of Israel. 6Lev 11:44-45 had commanded him. 8And all the people responded to- Rev 1:6; 5:10 9Then the LORD said to Moses, 11I will come to you ina thick cloud, Moses, so the people Exod 24:3, 7 and prepare the people for my arrival. Cons: Deut 4:11 as all the people watch. 12Mark off a boundary all around Gen 35:2, 4s the mountain. Warn the people, jum 8:7: 1 er:: 13 mountain will certainly be put to death. 'SNo hand pee oot them with arrows. They must be put to d 19:13 their clothes. 13He told them, “Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from hav- 1 Sam 21:4 leaving Egypt. Compare Num 33:3. 19:13 Or up to the mountain. world, “All the nations of the earth” would be blessed through 60:3). Through the nation of Israel, the Messiah, God’s chosen for his blessings to the whole world. could approach God freely. It didn’t take long, however, for the Now that promise was being realized as God restated his agreerepresenting what the entire nation should have been. But with obey him. The covenant was thus sealed. But the good intentions (1 Peter 2:9), The death and resurrection of Christ has allowed 19:9-14 Moses was told to consecrate the people. This meant no nation on earth was good enough to deserve to be called his daily routine in order to dedicate themselves to God. The act in spite of the wrong the nation had done and would do. Why did ‘the cares and preoccupations of everyday life. Use your time you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth be- Exod I 5:26 7So Moses returned from the mou Deut 33:3 7.. ” 19:7 gether, “We will do everything the LORD has commanded.” So Moses brought the people’s 197) 4 59. 94:9 themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.” Deut 5:27; 26:17 ecrate them today and tomorrow, and have pe'g9. ' 4; $s 99:7 them wash their clothing. ‘Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain oreventouchits Num 8:7; 19:19 boundaries. Anyone who touches the rosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot ae blast, then the people may go up on the mountain. 10:13 90 ing sexual intercourse.” 1Cor 15Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 18:18). Gentiles and kings Son, would be born. God chose one nation and put it through a 19:5-8 In Genesis 15 and 17, God made a covenant with Abrapeople to corrupt God's plan. God then established Aaron’s ment with the Israelite nation, the descendants of Abraham. God the coming of Jesus Christ, God has once again extended his of the people quickly wore off. Have you made a commitment to each of us to approach God freely. getting them physically and spiritually ready to meet God. The people, his “special treasure.” He chose Israel, not because of of washing and preparing served to get their minds and hearts he want to have a special nation on earth? To represent his way of physical preparation to get your mind ready to meet God. 16On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There wasa long, loud blast from aram’s horn, and all the people trembled. '’Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply. 20The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain. 21Then the LORD told Moses, “Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the LORD, or they will die. 22Even the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves so that the LORD does not break out and destroy them.” 23"But LORD,” Moses protested, “the people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. You already warned us. You told me, ‘Mark off a boundary all around the mountain to set it apart as holy.’” 24But the LORD said, “Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people break through to approach the LORD, or he will break out and destroy them.” 25So Moses went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said.