Exodus 19:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For it is recorded that ‘both terror and great darkness’ came upon Abraham (Gen. 15:12), so that all these manifestations might lead him to a divine encounter. God consistently acts in this manner. Observe that when He desired to impart the law and commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, there were reports of darkness, tempest, and a smoking mountain. The Scriptures declare, ‘He touches the mountains, and they smoke’ (Psalms 103:32). Since the incorporeal cannot be perceived through our senses, the Lord seeks to reveal His presence to us through these extraordinary manifestations.

Then the Law was established, specifically on the third day of the third month. If you calculate from the fourteenth day of the first month, which is when Passover occurs, to the third day of the third month, you arrive at seventeen days of the first month, thirty days of the second month, and three days of the third month, totaling fifty days.

Likewise, God typically brings forth lightning and thunder. However, at Mount Sinai, these phenomena occurred in a unique manner, with the sounds being articulated not as mere chaotic noise, but in such a way that unmistakable signs were conveyed. This event was indeed a miracle.

For this reason, the sound of the trumpet resounds, accompanied by thunder, darkness, storms, and the fire on the mountaintop, along with the unimaginable smoke that billowed forth, all intended to soften their hardened hearts. Even though they witnessed the plagues that befell the Egyptians, they themselves did not face the consequences of such punishment. Thus, God instills a sense of awe within them, much like a parent with their children, so that they might not only cherish Him for His immeasurable blessings but also hold Him in reverent fear due to the consequences of wrongdoing. This is why He addressed the priests, stating, “But the sacrifices of them that come unto the Lord God, let them be sanctified, lest the Lord destroy them” (Ex. 19:22). It is fitting that those entrusted with the divine priesthood should be emboldened, signifying that those who serve God ought to rise above worldly concerns.

Abraham's journey to the site of sacrifice on the third day (Gen. 22:4) unveils the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The significance of the third day within this sacred context symbolizes the Holy Trinity, a theme frequently encountered in scripture. For instance, in the Book of Exodus, it is stated: ‘...we walked three days in the wilderness’ (Exodus 15:22, Exodus 8:27, Deuteronomy 1:19). Additionally, when Moses ascended Mount Sinai, he instructed the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves and be ready on the third day’ (Ex. 19:10-11). Similarly, as Joshua prepared to cross the Jordan, he reminded the congregation to make ready for the third day (Num. 1:11). Ultimately, our Lord rose on the third day (1 Cor. 15:4). Therefore, we declare blessed is Abraham, for on the third day, he arrived at the location designated by the Lord.

The sounds of thunder, lightning, and dark clouds—these natural elements were, on this occasion, produced through a divine force, bringing about an awe in the children of Israel towards the One whose presence was concealed in these phenomena. To further instill this reverence, trumpet blasts were heard. At Sinai, countless angels gathered in attendance to their Majesty, much like earthly kings are surrounded by their closest attendants. One may infer that the trumpet blasts originated from angels, for the return of the Lord for judgment will be heralded by angels accompanied by a mighty trumpet (Matt. XXIV, 30, 1 Thess. IV, 16). The entire assembly trembled with fear.