69_Prepare to meet the Lord thy God Exodus 19:1-12 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 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; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ There is an ancient story about a beloved king who set out to tour the distant parts of his dominion. The realm buzzed with the news. Evildoers were terrified lest he punish their misdeeds. His loyal subjects were excited at the prospect of seeing their king at last. All alike prepared day and night for the momentous occasion when their sovereign would meet them. This story mirrors what we see in Exodus 19, where God fulfills His promise to Moses and the Israelites. He brings them to Mount Sinai, where they would come face-to-face with the reality of His presence. This history brings us a powerful message about our relationship with God—a call to prepare our hearts, lives, and priorities to meet the Lord. God had set His love upon the Israelites before they even knew Him. He remembered the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Enslaved in Egypt, the Israelites themselves had forgotten him. Many of them had been serving other gods. Yet God heard their cries, saw their affliction, and came down to deliver them. It was His initiative, His love, and His faithfulness that brought them out of bondage and into freedom. Moses’ own life also reflected this divine initiative. From his birth and preservation to his calling in the wilderness of Midian, God’s hand was evident. Moses did not seek God; God sought Moses. He patiently revealed Himself, encouraged Moses, and equipped him to lead His people. God’s pursuit of those He calls is a repeated pattern in scripture, that testifies to His grace. At Mount Sinai, God first reminded Israel of his love and grace. God declared, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (Exodus 19:4). The journey to this point had been nothing short of miraculous. God had displayed His unmatched power and might in Egypt, humbling Pharaoh and delivering His people with a strong hand. The plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision in the wilderness were not mere displays of divine power; they were acts of deep, unshakable love. God carried His people swiftly and securely, bringing them not just to a new place but to Himself. The