One of the more surprising stories in the Old Testament book of Exodus receives

little attention, perhaps because the story is so short. But Moses is up on

Mount Sinai receiving the Law, and God tells him that He intends to come down

into the camp and meet the people in three days. Moses accordingly reports

God’s intention to the people down below who tremble with fear (they can see

the fiery shaking mountain, after all) and suggest, alternatively, that they

will stay in their tents, and perhaps Moses can just climb back up the mountain

and meet God there.