God's Mountain-Threats
It has been suggested that God set up the circumstances that the Children of Israel could not refuse his covenant. For example, before the exodus, God tells Moses that He is going to harden pharaoh's heart (cf. Ex 4.21b). Rather comically, a few chapters later the LORD says, as if in jest, maybe laughing with joy over his own providence, "Pharaoh is stubborn; he refuses to let the people go" (Ex 7.14). He mocks the pharaoh, warming up for the climax.
The covenant between Israel was a mutual understanding, brought about after God told Moses to take his words down to the people and see what they say. They agreed.
But with what motivation?
In Exodus 19.17 we find the Israelites standing below the mountain. This is typically translated or understood as "in the valley" or just at the bottom of the mountain. But the Hebrew paints a different picture. It says that the Israelites stood beneath the mountain!
In Midrashic literature it has been suggested that God held the mountain over the people of Israel and asked them if they would obey his commands. They reply: “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do” (Ex 19.18).
The covenant between Israel was a mutual understanding, brought about after God told Moses to take his words down to the people and see what they say. They agreed.
But with what motivation?
In Exodus 19.17 we find the Israelites standing below the mountain. This is typically translated or understood as "in the valley" or just at the bottom of the mountain. But the Hebrew paints a different picture. It says that the Israelites stood beneath the mountain!
In Midrashic literature it has been suggested that God held the mountain over the people of Israel and asked them if they would obey his commands. They reply: “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do” (Ex 19.18).
