The Story Act 2: New Commands and a New Covenant

After the people of Israel were delivered out of slavery in Egypt, they came to the Sinai Desert. In Exodus 19:4-6, God reminds them of what He has done, and He asks them to obey Him and keep a covenant with Him in return for His continued provision. God is saying to His people, I want to advance my plan to get you back. I want to give you some guidelines to live by, and I want to come down and dwell with you again. Chapter 5 is a huge transition in the story. God is not going to just interact with certain individuals or families; He will share life with all of His people for the first time since the Garden of Eden. "But, for me to do this," declares the Lord, "there are some things that have to be worked out." And the throng of Israelites says in one voice, "Everything the Lord has said we will do" (Exodus 19:8; 24:3).