So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD. And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD, the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."
Exodus 19:7-15
There are two points to note here. First, there is the response of the people in 8 to the word of the Lord recorded in the previous verses. In view of all that follows we may well be tempted to agree with the commentators who say that this could have only been a facile and superficial reaction lacking in seriousness. And yet, the Lord seemed to take them at their word, and we should realise that in fact this is the only possible response anyone can make to the coming of the Word of God. The critical and all-important matter is the implementing of it. It was within their power to do so, as it is within ours. The second point relates to the preparation of the people. Two things are stressed, the need for personal sanctification and the danger of presumption. As to the first, they were not only to be cleansed (outwardly and inwardly) - this is symbolised by the ceremonial washing of their clothes - but also separated from the highest and best in natural relationships (15) and thus separated unto God. As to the second, the emphasis is on the holiness of the divine love. Israel must learn - as we also must - that the majesty of God is a terrible thing, never to be regarded lightly or presumed upon in any way. The sublime language of the Shorter Catechism in the answer about the nature of God, 'God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable, in its being, power, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness and truth' is thought by some to be defective because it does not include any mention of love; but this is not because it was forgotten or discounted but because these other attributes are necessary to set the divine love in its full light and perspective. Our God is a consuming fire, even in His love. How needful for such a reminder today!