Exodus 24 is a chapter that highlights the covenantal relationship between God and the Israelites, a moment where God seals His promises with His people and where they are called to respond with faith and obedience. This chapter not only marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, but it also speaks to us today about commitment, trust, and the significance of covenant in our relationship with God.
The chapter begins with God inviting Moses, along with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, to come up the mountain and worship Him from a distance. Moses is called to approach God directly while the others remain at a distance. This moment demonstrates both the accessibility and the awe-inspiring holiness of God. It’s a reminder that while God desires to have a close relationship with us, His holiness requires a proper reverence. There is a balance in our relationship with God: we are invited into His presence, yet we must approach Him with awe and respect.
God instructs Moses to write down all the words He has spoken to him. Moses then gets up early the next morning, builds an altar at the foot of the mountain, and sets up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This action signifies the people’s commitment to the covenant with God, establishing a physical reminder of their agreement. The altar and the pillars symbolize the foundation of their relationship with God. The idea of writing things down is something we can connect with today—it’s about taking God’s words seriously and recording His instructions so that we don’t forget them. In our own lives, we are called to remember the promises of God and keep them close to our hearts, revisiting them regularly to guide our actions and decisions.
Moses then takes the blood of oxen and sprinkles half of it on the altar. The other half of the blood he pours out on the people, officially sealing the covenant with them. This ritual of blood is significant because it symbolizes the seriousness of the agreement between God and His people. The blood represents the life that was sacrificed to make the covenant possible. For us, this moment foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross, where His blood would be shed to establish a new covenant for all who believe. Just as the Israelites were sealed by the blood of animals, we are sealed by the blood of Christ, who made a way for us to enter into an eternal relationship with God.
Once the covenant is sealed, Moses reads the Book of the Covenant aloud to the people. The people respond, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” This is a powerful moment of commitment, where the people pledge their allegiance to God and His commands. It’s not a decision made lightly. They are declaring that they will live according to God’s laws and instructions. However, as we know from the rest of the story, their commitment would be tested repeatedly. For us, this passage challenges us to reflect on our own promises to God. How often do we make commitments to God in moments of clarity and emotion, only to fall short when faced with difficulties or temptations? Exodus 24 serves as a reminder that our commitment to God must be sustained through consistent obedience, and that we must rely on His strength, not just our own, to fulfill the promises we make.
After the people affirm their commitment, Moses takes the blood and sprinkles it on them, saying, “Behold, the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” This moment signifies that the people are bound to the covenant by the blood that has been sprinkled on them, a physical and spiritual symbol of their unity with God. It’s a reminder to us of the depth of our own commitment to God, which is not just a mental ascent but a deep, personal covenant that touches every part of our lives.
Following this, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders ascend the mountain and see the God of Israel. The text tells us that under His feet there is something like a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. This description speaks to the splendor and majesty of God’s presence. The fact that these men were allowed to see God’s glory, though from a distance, is significant—it shows that God is not distant or removed from His people, but desires to reveal Himself to them. However, there is still a clear distinction between God’s holiness and humanity’s inability to fully approach Him. This moment serves as a reminder to us that while God invites us into relationship with Him, He remains infinitely holy and transcendent.
God then commands Moses to come up further, where He will give him the tablets of stone containing the law, which He has written for the people. Moses remains on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. This extended period represents a time of deep communion between Moses and God, a time where Moses is completely focused on receiving God’s guidance for His people. For us, this teaches the importance of spending time in God’s presence—time that is set apart for us to hear from Him, reflect on His word, and be strengthened in our faith. The time Moses spends on the mountain is not a hurried moment; it is a time of intentional focus on God, which we, too, must prioritize in our lives.
As Moses remains on the mountain, God is preparing to give the Israelites the detailed laws and instructions they will need to live as His people. The covenant is not just a one-time event; it’s a way of life. The people’s obedience to God’s laws is what will define them as His people. Exodus 24 marks the moment of commitment, but it’s clear that the journey ahead will require continuous faithfulness. The people are entering into a relationship with God that will be tested and refined over time. The same is true for us. Our commitment to God is not something that happens once and then is forgotten. It’s an ongoing process of growing in trust, obedience, and reliance on His grace.
In summary, Exodus 24 is a chapter that emphasizes the importance of covenant, commitment, and obedience. God’s presence is awe-inspiring and holy, and yet He desires to be in relationship with us. Just as the Israelites were called to follow His commands and live according to His laws, we too are called to live in obedience to God, not out of obligation, but out of love and reverence for the One who has made a way for us to be His people. As we reflect on the covenant made with the Israelites, we are reminded of the new covenant that Jesus established through His blood—a covenant that invites us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, one that is marked by His love, His grace, and His call to live in obedience to Him.