Exodus 19:3

Moses went up. Verses 3-9 introduce the first covenant between God and Israel. Moses was familiar with this region, because it was here that God had revealed Himself in the burning bush. In the same locality God was again to reveal Himself to His servant, now no longer a lonely fugitive but exalted to be the leader of God’s own people. A flood of memories must have coursed through Moses’ mind as he ascended the mount. His faith must have been greatly strengthened for the difficult task of leadership ahead, for the Lord’s promise that he and his fellow Israelites would worship God in this place was about to be fulfilled (see Ex. 3:12). We may be sure that Moses ascended the mountain with a confident though reverent step.

The house of Jacob. This reference to their ancestor was a reminder of the promises vouchsafed to him (see Gen. 28:13, 14; 35:11). The mention of his name would recall the blessings graciously bestowed upon him, and these were a pledge of the blessings the Lord now offered them. That God should take the initiative in proposing a covenant was inevitable, for man is not in a position to exact terms from Heaven. Yet the covenant is an expression not only of God’s sovereignty but of His grace and mercy as well. He it is who first seeks man — not man, God (see 1 John 4:10, 19).