Exodus 24
Exodus 24 records the making of the covenant at Mount Sinai—namely, the covenant agreement between God and the people of Israel. This chapter highlights the distinct roles of Moses, the elders, and the people, unfolding around a central scene in which God gives the law and the covenant is confirmed with blood.
1verseHe said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship from a distance.
2verseMoses alone shall come near to the LORD, but they shall not come near. The people shall not go up with him.”
3verseMoses came and told the people all the LORD’s words, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, “All the words which the LORD has spoken will we do.”
4verseMoses wrote all the LORD’s words, then rose up early in the morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
5verseHe sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of cattle to the LORD.
6verseMoses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
7verseHe took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “We will do all that the LORD has said, and be obedient.”
8verseMoses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Look, this is the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.”
9verseThen Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up.
10verseThey saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness.
11verseHe didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank.
12verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.”
13verseMoses rose up with Joshua, his servant, and Moses went up onto God’s Mountain.
14verseHe said to the elders, “Wait here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever is involved in a dispute can go to them.”
15verseMoses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.
16verseThe LORD’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud.
17verseThe appearance of the LORD’s glory was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18verseMoses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
A Traditional Procedure for Making a Covenant
This chapter reveals the ancient Near Eastern practice of covenant-making. It shows that a covenant was established by building an altar, offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, and sprinkling the blood. Moses reads the book of the covenant, and the people promise to obey. This demonstrates that there is mutual commitment between God and Israel.
Experiencing God’s Presence
The elders of Israel, along with Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, come before God together, and they experience God’s presence firsthand. In particular, the expression, “They saw God, and did not suffer harm,” emphasizes the uniqueness of the covenant and the deep fellowship with God.
Moses’ Time on the Mountain
In the latter part of the chapter, Moses receives God’s call and goes up the mountain together with Joshua. Moses stays on the mountain for forty days and forty nights, and he will receive the law and commands from God. This becomes a turning point in strengthening the covenant between Israel and God.
Reflection Points
- The Importance of the Covenant: God always relates to His people through promises and reveals His faithfulness.
- Obedience and Commitment: When the people hear the covenant and respond, “We will obey,” you can reflect on the fact that this response is the center of our faith.
Personal Application
- Today, I can reflect on how I am living in obedience to God’s Word.
- Within my covenant relationship with God, I will be able to review my attitude, commitment, and faithfulness once again.
