And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
God's majesty on Sinai was meant to awaken fear of guilt, not to drive them away from His covenant. The Law terrifies the sinner until he lies confounded before God's tribunal, but only so he learns he needs pardon. Moses met with God not in dread alone, but with mind ready to obey.
AI summary
God Himself was the preacher that day, descending in fire with ten thousand holy angels attending His majesty. The mountain shook and smoked as His throne; the trumpet grew louder and louder, calling the guilty to assemble, a sound of war to those who knew their sin.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 19:16-25
The trumpet's blast threw them into panic, and only Moses leading them could persuade them to leave camp. He brought them to meet their King and Lawgiver at the mountain's foot, near enough to hear what He spoke, yet behind the bounds that kept them from drawing closer.
AI summary