Exodus 19:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They entered the desert where the Law was bestowed, and as it is written: In the third month after the Israelites departed from Egypt (Ex. 19:1). The Lord instructed Moses that those who were to receive the Law must sanctify themselves on the third day designated for its delivery. Thus, at the commencement of the third month, purification is essential on the third day.

The phrase "I will cleanse me in the day, and in the morning: and let the garments be blotted out. And let them be ready in the day? Let the garments be cleaned day and morning, and let them be ready on the third day" can be understood in this way: within the context of the two Covenants and their interpretation, those who attain a pure life and have discovered the purity of faith are directed toward the three-day resurrection of Christ, which is also referred to as the kingdom of heaven. The term "to-day" symbolizes the condition under the law, while "morning" represents the truth of the Gospel, revealed both in the law and beyond it.

The gracious communion from God is always available to humanity; however, individuals do not consistently reciprocate this openness and often need varying levels of preparation depending on their personal circumstances and readiness. "Cleanse me this day and this morning: and let the garments be blotted out: and let them be ready on the third day" (Ex. 19:10-11). Through this directive, God was clearly preparing the Israelites for the monumental revelation at Mount Sinai.

Prepare yourselves to stand in the presence of God. The Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai. The Lord is ever-present. The term "come down" signifies that the Lord would establish His unique presence at Sinai as the Sovereign and Giver of the Law, manifested through sensory phenomena such as thunder, lightning, smoke, and cloud, accompanied by the sounds of trumpets and an earthquake. The Lord's arrival was anticipated on the third day, as some interpretations suggest, counting from the first day of the third month when the Israelites reached Sinai. Others believe that the directive from the Lord to sanctify the people was issued the day after they arrived at Sinai, rather than on the first day of the third month, as they were occupied with setting up camp during that time.

In order for individuals 'walking in the flesh' to be fully prepared to stand before the Lord, mere moral readiness is insufficient; their attire must also be pure, and their bodies must be cleansed. This practice has been observed among various ancient cultures, particularly among the Egyptians, whose priests were distinguished by their adherence to cleanliness as mandated by their laws. Travelers note that in the desert of Sinai, there is an abundance of water. Deuteronomy 9:21 points out that a stream flowed from the mountain. It is also noteworthy, as Cook observes, that the Lord's revelation on the third day carries great significance.