Exodus 19 – Reaching Mount Sinai – Part 1 of 3

Section 1: Exodus 19:1–6 — Arrival and Covenant Invitation

• Historical context: Israel reaches Sinai, where God plans to establish the covenant.

• Key themes: Obedience, identity as God’s people, priestly nation.

📖 Exodus 19:1–6 (NKJV)

1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.

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• Three months since the Exodus
• Their arrival at Sinai marks the transition from deliverance to covenant. Now that they are redeemed, they come to the relationship and responsibilities portion of their life with God.

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2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.

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• They are undisturbed in the wilderness/away from Rephidim.
• The word for “camped” switches from plural to singular (“וַיִּחַן” vayyichan)—“he camped” rather than “they camped.”
• Implication: Israel is united as one at this moment, preparing to encounter God.

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3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

• As their mediator, Moses went up to God.
• God called to him. Again, such a mighty experience for Moses.

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

• Here is given a beautiful show of fierce love and tenderness all at once. God has shown both throughout in the care of His children, the Israelites. The plagues and all of the protection he has given to get them to this point has been highly protective and yet tenderly loving as well.
• The use of the word eagle is not lost on this description either.
• נֶשֶׁר (nesher) – “eagle”
• A majestic, powerful bird—used symbolically throughout Scripture for God’s care and might (see Deut. 32:11).
• God didn’t just free the people from Egypt. He brought them to Himself. The redemption was not only for them to be free but for a relationship with God.

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

• 2 distinct statements here:
  • Obey My Voice
  • Keep My Covenant
• Then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people
•  שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ (shamoa tishme’u) – a Hebrew idiom meaning “you shall surely listen” or “really listen.

This isn’t a suggestion. It is direct instruction of diligent, careful obedience.

• סְגֻלָּה (segullah) – a prized possession, a king’s private treasure

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

• This becomes their identity and their mission:
  • *******Priests represent God to the nations.*******
  • Holy means set apart for a sacred purpose.

This last part of my study about the priests is a little bit hard for me to grasp yet so I am planning to do a deep study for a little while and get back to that in future posts when I have some solid understanding. I do not want to print anything that I do not feel wholly true to. So stick around for more on that at a later date. :)