191 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt , on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai . 2 When they set out from Rephidim , they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness ; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain . 3 Moses went up to God , and the Lord called to him from the mountain , saying , "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons 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 then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant , then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples , for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation .' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 19:1-6
Commentary on Exodus 19:1-8
(Read Exodus 19:1-8)
Moses was called up the mountain, and was employed as the messenger of this covenant. The Maker and first Mover of the covenant, is God himself. This blessed charter was granted out of God's own free grace. The covenant here mentioned was the national covenant, by which the Israelites were a people under the government of Jehovah. It was a type of the new covenant made with true believers in Christ Jesus; but, like other types, it was only a shadow of good things to come. As a nation they broke this covenant; therefore the Lord declared that he would make a new covenant with Israel, writing his law, not upon tables of stone, but in their hearts, Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:7-10. The covenant spoken of in these places as ready to vanish away, is the national covenant with Israel, which they forfeited by their sins. Unless we carefully attend to this, we shall fall into mistakes while reading the Old Testament. We must not suppose that the nation of the Jews were under the covenant of works, which knows nothing of repentance, faith in a Mediator, forgiveness of sins, or grace; nor yet that the whole nation of Israel bore the character, and possessed the privileges of true believers, as being actually sharers in the covenant of grace. They were all under a dispensation of mercy; they had outward privileges and advantages for salvation; but, like professing Christians, most rested therein, and went no further. Israel consented to the conditions. They answered as one man, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. Oh that there had been such a heart in them! Moses, as a mediator, returned the words of the people to God. Thus Christ, the Mediator, as a Prophet, reveals God's will to us, his precepts and promises; and then, as a Priest, offers up to God our spiritual sacrifices, not only of prayer and praise, but of devout affections, and pious resolutions, the work of his own Spirit in us.