And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not. The leader himself, with all his experience and privileges, was equally panic-striken with the rest of the people. It is said (Exodus 19:19) that God answered him with a voice; but what communication was made to him has not been put on record. Doubtless it tended to reassure his agitated feelings and restore him to that state of mental equilibrium necessary for the right discharge of his important ministry; because when the deputies arrived they found him calm, steadfast, and encouraging. "Fear not" -
i.e., be of good courage, take comfort; the fatal consequences you apprehend will be averted, and God is present with you as your covenanted Sovereign. This exhortation, "Fear not," was in later ages resorted to as a divine pledge to the nation (Isaiah 63:11; Haggai 2:4-5).
For God is come to prove you. The divine object in inaugurating the national existence of Israel by the giving of the law was to put their obedience to a fresh proof-to give them a more signal opportunity than before-of evincing their deference and devotedness to His will. All the fearful accompaniments of this august manifestation were intended to impress the minds of His chosen people with a profound regard to the authority and majesty of God, and thus restrain them from sin.