The Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai three months after leaving Egypt. God instructs Moses to prepare the people for a divine encounter, emphasizing their consecration as a holy nation. The people purify themselves, and on the third day, God descends on the mountain with thunder, lightning, smoke, and a loud trumpet blast, causing the people to tremble. Moses sets boundaries around the mountain to keep the people safe from God’s holiness, warning that only he and Aaron may approach. The chapter highlights God’s power, the covenant relationship with Israel, and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence.
