Exodus 19 takes place at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites were camping after leaving Egypt. God said to Moses, "tell the people of Israel: 'you yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession... you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' " The people responded to Moses all together, "We will do everything the Lord has said" ( Yeah right, we've heard that before!). Moses told the Lord what the people had said and He then gave Moses instructions as to how the people should consecrate themselves and keep their distance from the mountain, as God came to meet with them. On the third day, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, causing all the people to tremble. Moses then lead the people to the foot of the mountain to meet with God, as He had instructed Moses. God had met with Moses on the mountain "so that the people will hear Me speaking with you and will always trust in you." I wonder if the Israelites understood that God had chosen them in love and mercy, not because of their obedience, to represent and teach the nations how to live according to His ways and about the hope for salvation by God's grace.