Chapter 24
Sometimes, the quiet subtleties of life bring the most awe and wonder — at least they do for me. I love cruising, and my favorite activity is snorkeling. I enjoy seeing the little fish and coral. I haven’t tried diving yet, but I think it would be amazing to go deep and swim among the fish and wildlife.
Because of this, I really enjoy watching programs about undersea life. The more I watch untouched coral reefs, the more I see the hand of God in the cycle of life. From the irony of tiny plankton feeding the largest fish (like the whale shark) and mammals (like the blue whale) to the role of sharks in controlling the coral fish population, which in turn protects the coral — each part of this system plays a vital role. Every creature is an instrument in the orchestra of life.
What fascinates me is that this all happens, even if mankind never sees it. It happens every day without human involvement. God simply created it that way. Every life-form is in the exact right place, at the exact right time, for maximum benefit to all.
The more one reads the Bible, especially the Old Testament, the more one can see these subtle, orchestrated details. There’s one in this chapter that I’d like to highlight.
This chapter comes right before the Tabernacle is introduced. It might not seem significant at first, but consider this: for the next 16 chapters, the Tabernacle will be discussed in detail — the offerings, the structure, the sacrifices, the garments of the priests, the furniture, and so on. In fact, aside from Jesus, the Tabernacle is one of the most talked-about topics in the Bible. Clearly, it holds powerful significance, and we’ll explore that more as we go through these chapters. One hint: the Old Testament points to Jesus.
What stood out to me in this chapter is a subtle but important point: before mankind was given access to God through the Tabernacle, a covenant was established, and blood was shed to connect God and man. Only after this shedding of blood was the Tabernacle mentioned — and it continued to be a central focus throughout the rest of Exodus. Likewise, it was only after the shedding of blood by Jesus, that we were connected to God. It only after the cross that the temple veil was torn and we too have access to God in a very intimate and personal way.
I don’t think this is a coincidence; I see it as the orchestrated harmony of God.
The Covenant Confirmed
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. [There appears to be a special group that had special access with Moses. Keep a watch on Nadab and Abihu. For in them we will learn that special “positions” do not lead to “special grace” with God. Your position will not grant you salvation, your relationship with God will.] You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the LORD; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”
3 When Moses went and told the people all the LORD’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the LORD has said we will do.” 4 Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said.
He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. [a covenant, or agreement/bond was only made in the context of sacrifice. Sacrifice admits our sin and failing before God. It addresses that need through the death of a substitute – Just like Jesus made for us.] 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. [The blood originates from the altar of God, the seat of God, His Son. Later it will flow to the people in verse 8.] 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” [The covenant was based on God’s words and His terms. It was to be clearly read and understood. It was not forced, but there must be a response by us – agree or disagree, not haggle. Just like our choice to agree or deny the covenant Jesus made with mankind on the cross. The covenant of grace is there – how are you responding to it?]
8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled 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.” [the blood was on the altar and on man showing that both God and mankind were mutually bound by this covenant. Jesus also says in Matthew 26:28, “this is the blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”]
9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. [They saw enough of God, but not too closely. As Moses was later beckoned to come closer. But it was close enough for them to see even the footstool of God. Enough of His presence to be in wonder.]
12 The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.”
15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. [The number 40 in the Bible represents preparation and/or “change”. There would soon be something very significant about to happen. What do you think it will be?]
