Exodus Chapter 19
The Israelites were in their third month after their great exodus from Egypt, when the Lord made plans to start giving out what has become known as the "Mosaic Law." They had been wandering in the wilderness of the western Sinai area, and had engaged in battle with the Amaleks. The Lord led them through these times.
The Lord was now planning to establish His commandments and law with His chosen people.
The Israelites camped near the base of Mount Sinai, and Moses went up into the mountain to speak with the Lord. From within the mountain the Lord spoke to Moses. Exodus 19:3.
The Lord instructed Moses to speak to the Israel people and remind them of what he had done to the Egyptians to save the Israelites. He had placed them on "eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself."
"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 in mine."
The Lord told Moses that the Israelites would be a "holy nation". The Lord instructed Moses to go tell the people what he had said. Exodus 19:4-6.
Moses went down the mountain and conveyed the Lord’s instruction to the people. The people responded that they would do as the Lord commanded, and Moses relayed the people’s response to God.
The Lord then told Moses that God would speak directly to the people on the third day, but provided strict guidelines for the people to follow. The Lord stated that on the third day He would appear in a thick cloud from the mountain, and that the people would hear Him speak, but would not be able to see Him.
The Lord provided strict instruction for Moses to tell the Israelites to clean their clothing in preparation for the Lord’s appearance from the mountain; but that no one was to go up into the mountain, or even to touch within the bounds of the lower part of the mountain. Exodus 19:9-12.
The Lord said a loud trumpet would sound before His appearance and that was when the people could approach the mount.
The people obeyed Moses’ instruction from the Lord and washed their clothes. Moses instructed everyone to be clean for the third day, and advised all men to avoid physical contact with their wives in order to keep their minds pure for the Lord.
On the morning of the third day, it began thundering and lightening and a thick cloud surrounded the mountain. A trumpet blared extremely loud and the people fell in awe of the amazing display of power taking place. Exodus 19:13-16
The Lord descended into Mount Sinai in fire and heavy smoke; the smoke was thick as a furnace, and the ground shook like an earthquake.
The trumpet sounded long and loud; and Moses spoke out at the Lord. God answered and called Moses to the top of Mount Sinai. The Lord told Moses to keep the people back away from the smoke and mountain or they would perish if they attempted to gaze upon the Lord. The Lord told Moses to keep the people back, but for Moses and Aaron to return back up the mountain.
Moses again instructed the people to stay at the mountain’s boundary and observe. Moses and Aaron would hear the Lord directly, but the people stood in awe afar, partially afraid to go closer into the tremendous display of thunder, lightening, fire, smoke and quakes. Exodus 19:20-25
The Lord was preparing to deliver the most historically famous set of laws for His chosen people.