“Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. (Leviticus 16:11 , ESV)

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.  -- (Exodus 19:5-8 , ESV)

Now what?  From a family they had grown to a nation.  They had gone from a favored status to slaves.  They had been delivered by miraculous means from their masters.  They had seen God swiftly judge their enemies.  And here they were in the desert.  Now what?

As they came up to the mountain, that question must have been on the mind of many.  God says he will take us to a new land.  We will see the fulfillment long ago given to our father, Abraham.  We will have the land he was promised.

But they had stopped at a mountain to meet with God.  He wanted them to understand who he was and what he would require of them.  They stood there looking up at the clouds, thunder, and lightening.  Told to stay back from the mountain and probably fearful to even approach it, they waited to hear from their God.

What would he require?  How would they respond in word?  How would they respond in deed?  

This week is a pivotal week in the Story as we examine what has been called the Mosaic or Sinai Covenant. Many of us know it as the 10 Commandments.  It includes Exodus 19-20 and more.  I’d encourage you to go back and read through those chapters as you prepare your hearts and minds to worship together on Sunday.

And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! (Numbers 14:2 , ESV)