v1: The arrival in the desert of Sinai.

v2: The children of Israel camped in front of the mountain. They were to stay here for some months, until Num 10.11-12.

v3: It was here that God delivered His instructions to Moses.

v4-6: The message of God from the mountain.

v4: God had delivered the people "on eagles' wings", a reference to His own character, as the majestic mighty bird. The theme also occurs in Is 40.31. We may see the Father as the eagle, the Spirit as the dove (Matt 3.16), and the Son as a hen (Matt 23.37). God had brought the people to Himself, into relationship with Himself. Now He explains the Covenant, and the responsibility that belongs to those who are God's.

v5: The choice to obey and to keep God's Covenant. Later the people responded and agreed to keep all the Law of God; 24.3,7.

v6: Although the whole earth belongs to God, the obedient people would become "my treasured possession", a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation" (see 1 Pet 2.9; Rev 1.6). Such a wonderful privilege for the people.

v7-9: Moses went back and forward, bringing the word of God to the leaders, and to the people. He also reported the people's words to the Lord.

v7: As in 3.16, the first task was to speak with the leaders. Moses, following Jethro's advice, had already set in place the method by which the people would hear the message, in ch 18.

v8: The people responded with unusual willingness, given their previous grumblings. They agreed to do "everything" the Lord had commanded.

v9: The Lord provided a specific sign, the thick cloud, so that the people would believe the words that Moses brought to them. Those who bring God's word are required to be faithful to Him.

v10-13: The barrier around the mountain, for, to approach God is not to be taken lightly. Later, Nadab and Abihu approached God is a disrespectful way, Lev 10.3, and suffered the consequences. There was the necessity to be cleansed, Josh 3.5; 2 Cor 7.1.

v10: The people had to be consecrated, set apart for God by a ceremonial washing. The image of three days is also in Hos 6.1-3, in relation to repentance and restoration.

v11: The reason for cleansing was so that the Lord could come down to the people. Note that Moses was not subject to this restriction, he could meet with God on the mountain. Here was the man of faith, the man of God, who was on intimate terms with the Lord of Hosts.

v12-13: Limits around the mountain, a clear marker that neither person nor animal must cross. Even though the people had purified themselves, they were not able to approach the holy God (see v21). At the blast of the ram's horn they could approach the mountain. The ram is used elsewhere as a sign of consecration to God.

The image of God who is utterly holy is important; see Ps 15; 24. Christians may become over-familiar in addressing God as "Father." Although this is truth, we dare not neglect the matter of God's holiness.

v14: Moses returned to consecrate the people.

v15: In particular, the people were to abstain from sexual relations, so that they were ready to meet with God, having their minds set on Him. Compare 1 Cor 7.5, where a Christian couple may abstain from sexual relation for a time to devote themselves to prayer to God. We understand this as fasting, which is not limited to abstinence from food.

v16: The mountain is described also in Heb 12.18-21; in Christ we need not fear and tremble as the Israelites did; yet we must maintain a proper reverence for Christ (Heb 12.22).

v17: Moses led the people, who were now consecrated, out of their camp, towards the mountain.

v18-19: The thick cloud of smoke is the "dense cloud", in v9. This was the sign of God's presence on the earth. The whole scene is quite graphic, with the smoke, earth tremors, and trumpet sound. Yet Moses spoke and God answered; there was communication between man and God.

v20: The Lord came down and spoke. Here is grace and condescension, and deep concern for His redeemed people.

v21: The warning was repeated, that the people do not force their way through to gaze on the Lord. They had to stay at a distance, even though they had spent three days being cleansed.

v22: Although priests had not yet been appointed, the Lord reminded Moses that, although they had the privilege of approaching God on behalf of the people, they must also be consecrated.

v23: Moses' response regarding the Lord's warning. He thought that the existence of the limits would be sufficient to prevent the people approaching the mountain. In ch 20, God put limits upon the people, in the form of commandments, but they would transgress these limits. Paul indicates that the setting of such limits actually instructs us what sin is, Rom 7.7. The sinful nature of mankind then transgresses the limits. Elsewhere the law is seen as a restraint (Gal 3.23-24), which prevents people from doing serious wrong.

v24-25: Moses had to return again, this time with Aaron. This would have been so that the requirements of the priests could be explained, thus providing a permanent way by which the people would approach God, i.e: the tabernacle.

The rest of the people were not to break through the limits that had been erected, otherwise the Lord would destroy them.

The giving of the Law was related to the revelation of the character of God. He is first of all holy.