Moses is spending a lot of time settling disputes and interpreting God's laws for the Hebrews. His father-in-law Jethro advises him to set up a judicial system. Moses hearkens to the voice of Jethro and rounds up the able God-fearing men who hate covetousness. He instructs them to settle the garden variety disputes, freeing him up to deal with the most complicated legal cases.
When the Hebrews set up camp in Sinai, God beckons Moses from the mountaintop. He reminds Moses that he destroyed the Egyptians while bearing his people "on eagles' wings." And he will raise you up on eagles' wings, bear you on the breath of dawn. Make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand... Yes, this book is ridiculous, but I do dig the tunes.
God is going to deliver the most important rules for life, and Moses needs to prepare his people properly. They are to wash their clothes and abstain from sex. That helps you listen apparently. I do wonder how Moses spake this message unto 600,000 people. OK, so Moses will walk up into the mountainside, but the people are NOT to follow him. Penalty: Death. I bet you cynically think this prevents anyone from calling Moses' bluff and proving he's not up there talking to the almighty. Well, God is going to make himself known to the masses. He will appear with the thunders and lightnings, descend upon Mt. Sinai in fire, and bellow through the clouds. Really, why would you visibly appear to everyone and remove all doubt when you can quake the whole mount greatly? With that, the plans are in place. Buckle up - the ten commandments are right around the corner.
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