Exodus 19:2-6a
Chapter 19
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They arrived there, having come from Rephidim, and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.
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The Israelites camped there in front of the mountain, but Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying:
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“This is what you are to say and to explain to the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself.
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Now, if you listen to me and keep my Covenant, you shall be my very own possession among all the nations. For all the earth is mine,
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but you will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for me.”
And he added, “This is what you are to say to the people of Israel.”
Commentaries
Offering of the Covenant.
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).