10 The LORD also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; 11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, `Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 `No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or 2shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Here’s something to not take for granted. The Israelites took three days to cleanse themselves before they could meet with God, and even then they had to be careful how close they came to the holy place (a mountain in this case). This meant they had to avoid a whole host of things for three days, including having relations with their wives. As it says in the New Testament, “let us boldly approach the throne of God.” That’s the freedom we have because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Never take that lightly.