Why is Les taking the class to Exodus 19 before starting Matthew?
Exodus 19 serves as part of the introduction to the Gospels, establishing the Old Testament foundation needed before Matthew. Scripture's revelation is progressive, like building blocks, and the Gospels cannot be understood apart from the Old Testament. This prepares the class for Christ's first coming and His dealings with Israel.
Les explains that he is still in the introduction, getting everyone ready for the study of Matthew, meaning the four Gospels. He is not going to take Matthew verse by verse and then Mark, Luke, and John, but will give an overview of the Gospels and prepare the class for Acts. He says there is no use studying Acts unless you understand the Gospels, and no use studying the Gospels unless you understand the Old Testament, because all of this is a progressive revealing, like building blocks. He then has the class turn to Exodus 19, saying this is still more or less all an introduction to the account of Christ's first coming and His dealing with the nation of Israel.