UNROLL
A steep granite slope with a narrow stony path climbing into a still, white bank of cloud that hides the summit.

The Book of

Exodus 24

God has spoken His law. Now Israel says yes, the covenant is sealed in blood, and Moses climbs into the cloud.

18 verses≈ 4 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–6Slaves in EgyptOppression and a deliverer
  2. 7–13The plaguesThe LORD against Pharaoh
  3. 14–18Through the seaRescued and led
  4. 19–24At SinaiThe covenant and the lawChapter 24
  5. 25–31A place to dwellThe tabernacle planned
  6. 32–40Broken and renewedThe calf, mercy, the glory

The Covenant Sealed

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance. Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

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When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”

The Israelites

Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”

Moses

So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.

Exodus 24:8

An old man seen from behind at a rough stone altar below the mountain, a bronze bowl raised in his hand, twelve standing stones beside him and a great crowd waiting at a distance.

The covenant sealed

word and bloodThe words toldto all the people(24:3)One voicethe people say yes(24:3)Written downthe words of the LORD(24:4)The book read“we will be obedient”(24:7)Altar, twelvepillarsat the mountain’s base(24:4)Blood on thealtarhalf kept in bowls(24:6)Blood on thepeoplethe blood of thecovenant (24:8)

Whiteboard

Two things sealed the covenant at Sinai, the word and the blood. Moses told the people the LORD’s words, wrote them down and read them aloud, and twice the people promised to do them. He built an altar with twelve pillars, splattered half the blood on the altar and the other half on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant.” God bound Himself to Israel and Israel to God. At the Last Supper Jesus took the same words for the cup: the new covenant, sealed in His own blood.

Reflect

Saying yes to God

Twice Israel answered with one voice. The second time they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” They meant it, and within weeks they were bowing to a golden calf. What have you promised God that you have found hard to keep? Write it down. Then write beside it that the covenant you live under now is sealed by Christ’s blood, not by the strength of your promise.

Seen from far behind, a small group of elders in wool cloaks on a high, bare mountain shoulder, looking up into a vast, clear, deep blue light like sapphire.

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Moses on the Mountain

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God. And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Whoever has a dispute can go to them.”

Pray

The blood of the covenant

At Sinai the covenant was sealed with the blood of young bulls, and the elders “saw Him, and they ate and drank.” At His last supper Jesus took a cup and called it the new covenant in His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Thank Him for that blood, which brings you nearer than the elders ever came. Ask Him to make you faithful to the covenant He has made with you.

The whole upper mountain covered by a great, still, bright-edged cloud, the camp’s tents small on the plain below in morning light.

When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai.

For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites.

Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 24:18

Question

Quick question

Moses went up into the cloud on the mountain, leaving Aaron and Hur with the elders.

How long did Moses stay on the mountain?

You’ve experienced

Exodus 24

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A verse to carry with you

This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.

Exodus 24:8

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