“Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.
Then Moses climbed up the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, ‘Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs go Me. And you will be My kingdom of priests, My holy nation. This the message that you must give to the people of Israel.’ (Exodus 19: vv. 1-6, NLT)
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear Me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.’
Moses told the Lord what the people had said. Then the Lord told Moses, ‘Go down and prepare the people for My arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as the people watch. Mark off a boundary all around the mountains. Warn the people,’Be Careful! Do no go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.'” (Exodus 19: vv. 9-13, NLT)
“On the next morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud cam down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.” (Exodus 19: vv. 16-19, NLT0
“But the Lord said, ‘Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or people break through to approach the Lord, or He will break out and destroy them.” (Exodus 19:24, NLT)