God Meets Israel at Mount Sinai

In the third month after leaving Egypt, the Israelites came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in front of the mountain. Moses went up to God, and God told him to remind the people how he had rescued them from Egypt and brought them to himself.

God said that if Israel obeyed his voice and kept his covenant, they would be his own possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Moses gave these words to the elders, and all the people answered together that they would do what God had spoken.

Then God said he would come in a thick cloud so the people could hear when he spoke with Moses. The people were to prepare for two days, wash their clothes, and be ready on the third day. Boundaries were set around the mountain, and the people were warned not to cross them. They were also told to be ready and to abstain from sexual relations.

On the third morning there was thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a very loud trumpet sound. The people trembled. Moses led them out to meet God at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai smoked because God descended in fire, and the whole mountain shook greatly.

As the trumpet grew louder, Moses spoke and God answered him. God called Moses up, then sent him back down to warn the people again not to break through the boundary. He also warned that the priests must consecrate themselves. Later the people stood far off and asked Moses to speak with them instead. Moses told them not to be afraid, because God had come to test them so that they would fear him and not sin. Then Moses went near the thick darkness where God was.