Definition: And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Exodus 19:3. It's a really important and somewhat mysterious passage in the Bible. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God calling Moses to a special meeting with Him. It’s essentially a message of importance coming from above. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Moses went up unto God…” – This tells us that Moses was seeking guidance and speaking with God. He was in a position of reverence, recognizing the divine nature of the situation. “…and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain…” - This is where it gets interesting! The Lord (God) is calling Moses out of a specific place – the mountain. It’s not just any mountain; it's a special, significant mountain. Think of it like a summons or an invitation. “saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel…” - This is the core instruction. The Lord is giving Moses a specific message – a set of words he needs to deliver. He’s telling him to communicate this message to the people of Israel (the group that includes the Israelites). What does this message mean? Essentially, this verse lays the foundation for the story of the Exodus. It's saying God is going to change something significant – a major event – involving the Israelites and their ancestors. The message will be crucial for guiding them through a difficult time. Why is it important? This verse sets up a pivotal moment in Jewish history. It’s the beginning of the story where God decides to deliver his people from slavery in Egypt, leading to their liberation and journey into the Promised Land. In short: God called Moses out of a mountain to deliver a crucial message about the Israelites, which would shape their future destiny. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible?