Set to dark modeSet to dark modeExodus 19 Commentary
Please choose a passage
This covenant is an agreement between God and Israel, adding various conditional promises to the unconditional promises of God.
Chapter 19 begins a new section of the book. The LORD has delivered His people Israel from Egypt, and it was time to enter into a covenant with them. Having reached the wilderness next to Mount Sinai, Moses made his way up the mountain to meet the LORD. The LORD spoke to him about the covenant that was about to be made between the LORD and the people of Israel. He told Moses to tell the people to remember His work of deliverance and that as a result they are His people and are to become a kingdom of priests to the nations by following God’s commands. Moses relayed the message to the tribal leaders who then relayed it to the people. The people responded that they would obey the LORD in all things. Thus the agreement was proposed and agreed to. Moses then relayed this message to the LORD, who in turn gave Moses the role of intermediary between Him and the people, and Moses relayed His words to Israel.
In verses 10-15, the LORD tells Moses to "consecrate" the people in order to prepare them for the making of the covenant. This process includes washing their clothes and respecting the restrictions concerning Mount Sinai. Moses did as the LORD commanded. On the third day, the LORD was going to come down on Mount Sinai to fellowship with His people who are before the mountain.
The last section of chapter 19 contains a description of the LORD’s descent to Mount Sinai and a restatement of the warning to the people not to climb the mountain (vv. 20 – 25). Even the priests must consecrate themselves before approaching Him. Only Moses and Aaron could climb up the mountain to meet with the LORD. Any violation of these rules would be tragic.
The Israelites have now arrived at Mount Sinai, also called Mount Horeb. The LORD tells Moses to go up the mountain so that He could meet him there. The LORD then revealed to Moses His plans for His people Israel. They were to become a kingdom of priests to the surrounding nations. A priest is one who represents God to others. Israel's assignment is to live in such a manner as to create great blessings among its people, to the extent that other nations would desire to copy Israel, and also be blessed. Accordingly, Israel was to attract other nations to worship the true and living God through their example; that following God's ways was a superior way of life. The superior manner of living is to be self-governing, recognizing God's ways as the foundation for law.
God commanded that the people approach the mountain in order to go through a ceremony that would consecrate them for this purpose. The LORD then appears on Mount Sinai. All of this was done to prepare the Israelites for becoming His priests to the nations, and to prepare them for the giving of His law.
Exodus 19 can be outlined as follows:
The LORD Defines a Covenant with Israel (Ex. 19:1 – 9)
The LORD Consecrates Israel (Ex. 19:10 – 15)
The LORD Descends to Sinai (Ex. 19:16 – 25)
© 2025 The Bible Says, All Rights Reserved.
Set to dark mode