Exodus 19: “Meeting the Holy God”
1. God Brings His People to Himself
“They came into the wilderness of Sinai, and Israel encamped there before the mountain.” (Ex 19:2)
Notice the movement:
Out of slavery
Through the sea
Into God’s presence
Salvation now leads to encounter.
The Church teaches the same pattern:
Baptism
Eucharist
Life before God
St Gregory of Nyssa explains:
“God does not merely free His people; He draws them to Himself.”
(Life of Moses)
2. God Calls Moses Up the Mountain
“Moses went up to God.” (v. 3)
Moses ascends — the people remain below.
This teaches a Catholic truth about mediation:
God is near, but not casual.
Approach requires invitation.
The Church preserves this understanding in:
Ordained ministry
Sacred space
Liturgical order
3. God Reminds Them What He Has Done
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings.” (v. 4)
Before God asks anything, He reminds them of grace already given.
Catholic morality always begins here:
Obedience follows salvation; it does not earn it.
St Augustine of Hippo writes:
“God recalls His mercy before He commands obedience.”
(Sermons)
4. God States the Purpose of Redemption
“If you will obey My voice and keep My covenant…” (v. 5)
Salvation has a condition — not to be saved, but to remain faithful.
Grace invites response.
This is not legalism.
It is relationship.
5. “A Treasured Possession”
“You shall be My treasured possession among all peoples.” (v. 5)
Israel is chosen — not because others are rejected, but because God has a plan.
The Church understands this as:
Election for service
Not privilege
St Bede the Venerable comments:
“God chooses one people so that all peoples may be blessed.”
(Commentary on Exodus)
6. “A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation”
(v. 6)
This is one of the most important verses in Scripture.
God’s intention:
A holy people
A priestly people
The Church explicitly applies this to Christians:
Through Baptism
Through participation in Christ
St John Chrysostom explains:
“The whole people is called holy, because they are set apart for God.”
(Homilies)
7. The People Respond Together
“All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” (v. 8)
This is a corporate response.
Faith is not individualistic.
The people answer as one.
The Church does the same in the Creed and the liturgy.
8. God Announces His Mysterious Presence
“I am coming to you in a thick cloud.” (v. 9)
God chooses:
To be present
Yet hidden
This teaches a key Catholic principle:
God reveals Himself without being reduced.
Mystery is not confusion.
It is reverence.
9. The People Must Prepare
“Consecrate them today and tomorrow.” (v. 10)
Approaching God requires preparation.
This prepares for:
Fasting
Confession
Liturgical readiness
The Church has never abandoned this:
We prepare to meet God.
St Augustine notes:
“No one approaches holiness carelessly.”
(Sermons)
10. Boundaries Are Set
“You shall set limits for the people all around.” (v. 12)
This is vital.
Boundaries are not cruelty.
They protect life.
God’s holiness is not safe to approach casually.
Catholic worship retains this truth through:
Sacred space
Sanctuary
Reverent posture
11. “Whoever Touches the Mountain Shall Be Put to Death”
This shocks modern readers.
But the Fathers are clear:
This teaches the seriousness of holiness, not divine cruelty.
St Gregory the Great explains:
“Holiness is dangerous only to irreverence.”
(Moralia on Job)
12. God Comes Down
“The Lord descended upon Mount Sinai in fire.” (v. 18)
God descends — Moses ascends.
This meeting of heaven and earth prefigures:
The Incarnation
Christ coming down to us
Fire signifies:
Purity
Power
Presence
13. The Mountain Trembles
“The whole mountain trembled greatly.” (v. 18)
Creation responds to its Creator.
This is not chaos.
It is recognition.
The Church sings this truth:
“Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.”
14. Trumpet and Voice
“The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.” (v. 19)
The trumpet announces:
God’s arrival
God’s authority
This prepares for:
The Last Judgment
Christ’s return
15. Moses Speaks — God Answers
“Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.” (v. 19)
This dialogue shows:
God listens
God responds
But on God’s terms.
16. God Warns Again About Reverence
“Go down and warn the people.” (v. 21)
God repeats the warning.
Why?
Because enthusiasm can become irreverence.
The Church understands this well:
Familiarity must never destroy awe.
17. Even the Priests Must Be Careful
“Even the priests… must consecrate themselves.” (v. 22)
No one is exempt.
Office does not replace holiness.
This is a sobering Catholic truth:
Those closest to the sacred must be most careful.
St John Chrysostom warns:
“The higher the office, the greater the danger if reverence is lost.”
(On the Priesthood)
18. God Insists on Obedience
“Go down… then come up, you and Aaron.” (v. 24)
God sets the order.
Worship is not improvised.
It is received.
Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 19
| Theme | Catholic Meaning |
| Covenant | Salvation leads to belonging |
| Holiness | God is not casual |
| Preparation | We ready ourselves for God |
| Reverence | Awe protects life |
| Mediation | God appoints ministers |
| Mystery | God is present yet hidden |
Christ at the Centre of Exodus 19
The Fathers read Sinai in light of Christ:
Mountain → Calvary
Fire → the Spirit
Covenant → New Covenant
Fear → transformed into love
Distance → overcome in Christ
St Augustine summarises:
“At Sinai God frightened His people; in Christ He draws them close.”
(Sermons)
Spiritual Application
Do not treat God casually.
Prepare seriously for worship.
Remember that obedience follows grace.
Live as a holy people.
Approach God with awe and trust.
Closing Prayer
Lord God, holy and mighty,
You revealed Yourself in fire and cloud
and called Your people to be holy.
Teach us reverence in Your presence,
obedience to Your word,
and gratitude for Your saving grace.
Draw us close through Jesus Christ,
who makes holy what He touches,
and leads us into Your covenant for ever.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 