Exodus 19
Israel arrives at Mount Sinai and God proposes a covenant: if they obey, they will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The people agree. God descends on Sinai in fire, smoke, thunder, and earthquake, warning that no one may touch the mountain. Moses alone is summoned to the top.
ExodusChapter 19 of 4025 versesBerean Standard Bible
In this passage: MosesIsraelMount SinaiEgypt
Read Exodus 19 and keep notes on it in Doxa's Daily Faith Steps.
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.
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:
‘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.
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 41: How did Israel first hear God's oath in Genesis 22?
You will be my treasured possession, a kingdom of priests
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Read 1 Peter 2:9›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.”
A kingdom of priests — made us a kingdom and priests to serve his God
“who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.”
Read Revelation 1:6›You have made them a kingdom and priests to serve our God
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.””
Read Revelation 5:10›So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.
And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.
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.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned
“For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.””
Read Hebrews 12:20›No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”
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.
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 34: Why did Israel see Sinai in the smoke over Sodom?
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,
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.”
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.’”
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.
Read next
How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Cross-references for Exodus 19
“As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them and carried them on His pinions.”
“for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.”
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.””
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, licensed CC BY.
Exodus 19 on Doxa
- Moses Prayed This Verse to Save Israel: God's Oath in Genesis 22 · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 41
- Lot Lingered, God Remembered: How Israel First Heard Genesis 19 · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 34
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