Song of Sinai, Part 1: On Eagle’s Wings from Egypt

The Israelites proved both faithful and capable in their victory over the Amalekites at Rephidim. Exodus 19 verse 2 records what happens next.

After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

Israel made it to the foot of Mount Sinai. The importance of this cannot be overstated.

While every Israelite eye was set firmly on the Promised Land, Sinai is in many ways the true destination of their journey. More so than freedom from Egyptian chains or settling into a land of milk and honey, what occurs upon this mountain reveals the real purpose for God’s saving acts. Here they would be invited to enter into a Covenant relationship with YHWH. My first date with Betsy is significant because Betsy eventually became my wife. Similarly, the burning bush, the plagues, the Red Sea, none of it would be worth remembering if not for the events at Sinai.

The story is recounted primarily in chapters 19 & 24 (chapters 20-23 detail the laws and covenant stipulations). Chapter 19 tells of God extending an invitation to Israel to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. Like a man getting down on one knee, God asks Israel to be His people and take Him as their lawfully wedded husband (vv.4-6a):

“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Unlike a nervous groom-to-be, when God takes a knee–when he lowers Himself to meet with Israel–the earth and sky begin crackle and quake (vv.16-18):

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.

So, there God rests. His hand extended, holding the Covenant out like a ring before His people. The world shakes under the weight of this moment. And the descendants of Abraham contemplate their response.

I separated the events of Sinai into two songs; the first song ends right here. What will Israel’s response be to God’s proposal?

To be continued…

Credits

Words & Music: Bill Wolf
Vocals: Chloe McCarthy