God rescued the Israelites out of Egypt, out of slavery, to be His people, a holy nation. As His people, God dwells among them and they have all the commandments from God for living holy lives as God wants them. God will lead them to the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, the people show themselves to have hearts far from God. Instead of trusting Him with thankfulness, they are unhappy and want to go back to Egypt. God will punish them for their sin but show mercy and grace as Moses prays.