The narrative of the people’s experiences in the desert reveals the stages of their journey. In each part, the dissatisfaction and rebellion of those freed from Egypt (cf. 15:22-24; 16:3; 17:1-3) become clear. Now, the people find themselves in the Sinai Desert. The significance of this arrival is the clear offer to become the people of the one God, who will, in turn, be established as a “priestly kingdom” (6). The Israelites must first consider what kind of God they are committing to; it is not a typical or ordinary deity like many other local, capricious, fickle gods associated with power. Israel must remember that the God who freely offers himself to them, inserting Himself into their lives and journey, is the same God who acted against the Egyptians—again, Egypt as a symbol of power and severe oppression—(4). However, the people are not forced to follow this God; they must choose “if they want to obey me…” (5). The desert once again takes on its symbolic meaning as a place where the people consider whether obeying the God of life, justice, and mercy, who has been revealing Himself throughout their journey, is beneficial. The people’s response is: “All that the Lord has said, we will do” (8).