9 The Lord said to Moses , "Behold , I will come to you in a thick cloud , so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever ." Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord . 10 The Lord also said to Moses , "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow , and let them wash their garments ; 11 and let them 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 . 12 "You shall set bounds for the people all around , saying , 'Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death . 13 'No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through ; whether beast or man , he shall not live .' When the ram's horn sounds a long blast , they shall come up to the mountain ." 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people , and they washed their garments . 15 He said to the people , "Be ready for the third day ; do not go near a woman ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 19:9-15
Commentary on Exodus 19:9-15
(Read Exodus 19:9-15)
The solemn manner in which the law was delivered, was to impress the people with a right sense of the Divine majesty. Also to convince them of their own guilt, and to show that they could not stand in judgment before God by their own obedience. In the law, the sinner discovers what he ought to be, what he is, and what he wants. There he learns the nature, necessity, and glory of redemption, and of being made holy. Having been taught to flee to Christ, and to love him, the law is the rule of his obedience and faith.