Chapter 21—The Law of God
After the children of Israel left Rephidim they came to the “desert
of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped
before the mount. And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called
unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house
of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel, Ye have seen what I did unto
the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you
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unto myself. Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and
keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above
all people; for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom
of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt
speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the
elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which
the Lord commanded him. And all the people answered together, and
said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned
the words of the people unto the Lord.”
The people here entered into a solemn covenant with God, and
accepted him as their ruler, by which they became the peculiar subjects
of his divine authority. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come
unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak
with thee, and believe thee forever.” When the Hebrews had met with
difficulties in the way, they were disposed to murmur against Moses
and Aaron, and accuse them of leading the host of Israel from Egypt
to destroy them. God would honor Moses before them, that they might
be led to confide in his instructions, and know that he had put his Spirit
upon him.
The Lord then gave Moses express directions in regard to preparing
the people for him to approach nigh to them that they might hear his
law spoken, not by angels, but by himself. “And the Lord said unto
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Moses, go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow,
and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day; for
the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people
upon Mount Sinai.” The people were required to refrain from worldly
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