Imagine Moses' task, trying to move a vast horde of people to the promised land, people that were afraid to be in the presence of God and wanted Moses to be everything to them. In Chapter 17 Moses was their provider of water, and the one who made it possible for them to defeat their enemies. He was their judge in Chapter 18, and when they reach Mt. Sinai,, Moses became their connection to God and the one who delivered God's rules, the ten commandments, to them. "Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. Ex. 20:18-21
The Israelites had seen God's mighty power, and they should have seen that God was very jealous for them and would work all kinds of miracles to protect his people. They wanted all of the benefits of the relationship without having to come in contact with the benefactor. Since they couldn't keep from sinning based on their love for God, perhaps they would refrain from sin because they had seen his power.
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