Exodus 24

Exodus 24 marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, as God formalizes His covenant with the Israelites through Moses. This chapter highlights the sacredness of the law and the Israelites’ commitment to obeying God’s commandments. Moses serves as the mediator between God and the people, and the chapter concludes with a profound encounter between Moses and God on Mount Sinai, emphasizing the holiness and transcendence of God’s presence.

Exodus 24:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now He said to Moses, "Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.
2 And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him."
3 So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the Lord has said we will do."

In these verses, God commands Moses to bring Aaron, his sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel to worship Him from a distance. However, only Moses is allowed to approach God directly, emphasizing the mediating role Moses holds between God and the Israelites. When Moses conveys God’s words to the people, they collectively agree to obey everything God has commanded, demonstrating their willingness to commit to the covenant.

Exodus 24:4-5 (NKJV)
4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
5 Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord.

Moses records all the words of the Lord, emphasizing the importance of documenting the covenant. He builds an altar and twelve pillars, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the collective unity of the nation before God. The young men offer burnt and peace offerings, symbolizing consecration and fellowship with God, demonstrating that the people are dedicating themselves to God’s covenant.

Exodus 24:6-8 (NKJV)
6 And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient."
8 And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words."

Moses uses the blood of the sacrifices to establish the covenant. He sprinkles half of the blood on the altar, symbolizing God's role in the covenant, and the other half on the people, signifying their participation. After reading the Book of the Covenant aloud, the people affirm their commitment to obey God. The act of sprinkling blood on the people seals the covenant, symbolizing purification and a binding agreement between God and Israel.

Exodus 24:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,
10 and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.
11 But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Moses, along with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders, ascend the mountain and are given a unique vision of God. Though they do not see His full glory, they witness a manifestation of His presence, symbolized by the sapphire-like pavement under His feet. This rare encounter demonstrates God's willingness to reveal Himself, yet He does not harm them. Instead, they share a covenant meal, signifying peace and communion with God.

Exodus 24:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them."
13 So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

God calls Moses to ascend further up the mountain to receive the stone tablets inscribed with the law and commandments. These tablets are the tangible representation of the covenant and the divine law that Moses is to teach the Israelites. Moses takes Joshua, his assistant, emphasizing the importance of Joshua’s role in Israel’s future leadership. Moses' ascent marks the next step in receiving direct revelation from God.

Exodus 24:14-15 (NKJV)
14 And he said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them."
15 Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain.

Moses instructs the elders to wait and appoints Aaron and Hur as leaders in his absence, showing the importance of continued leadership among the people. As Moses ascends further, a cloud covers the mountain, signifying the presence of God. The cloud is a recurring symbol in the Bible that represents God’s glory and His interaction with humanity, particularly in moments of revelation or guidance.

Exodus 24:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
17 The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18 So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

God’s glory descends upon Mount Sinai, resting there for six days. On the seventh day, God calls Moses from the cloud, signaling that this is a holy and significant moment. The people witness the glory of God, which appears as a consuming fire, demonstrating His power and majesty. Moses then enters the cloud and remains on the mountain for forty days and nights, where he will receive the detailed laws and commandments. This extended time emphasizes the importance of the covenant and the instructions God is about to give.