Exodus 24

Ex 24:1-18.

DELIVERY OF THE

LAW AND

COVENANT.

3, 4. Moses came and told the people all the words of the

Lord--The rehearsal of the foregoing laws and the ten commandments,

together with the promises of special blessings in the event of their

obedience, having drawn forth from the people a unanimous declaration

of their consent, it was forthwith recorded as the conditions of the

national covenant. The next day preparations were made for

having it (the covenant) solemnly ratified, by building an altar and

twelve pillars; the altar representing God, and the pillars the tribes

of Israel--the two parties in this solemn compact--while Moses acted as

typical mediator.

5. young men--priests

(Ex 19:22),

probably the oldest sons of particular families, who acted under the

direction of Moses.

oxen--Other animals, though not mentioned, were offered in

sacrifice

(Heb 9:18-20).

6. Moses took half of the blood . . .

sprinkled--Preliminary to this was the public reading of the law

and the renewed acceptance of the terms by the people; then the

sprinkling of the blood was the sign of solemn ratification--half on

each party in the transaction.

8. Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the

people--probably on the twelve pillars, as representing the people

(also the book,

Heb 9:19),

and the act was accompanied by a public proclamation of its import. It

was setting their seal to the covenant (compare

1Co 11:25).

It must have been a deeply impressive, as well as instructive scene,

for it taught the Israelites that the covenant was made with them only

through the sprinkling of blood--that the divine acceptance of

themselves and services, was only by virtue of an atoning sacrifice,

and that even the blessings of the national covenant were

promised and secured to them only through grace. The ceremonial,

however, had a further and higher significance, as is shown by the

apostle (see

as above).

9. Then went up Moses, and Aaron--in obedience to a command

given

(Ex 24:1, 2;

also

Ex 19:24),

previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described.

Nadab, and Abihu--the two oldest sons of Aaron

[Ex 6:23].

seventy of the elders--a select number; what was the principle

of selection is not said; but they were the chief representatives, the

most conspicuous for official rank and station, as well as for their

probity and weight of character in their respective tribes.

10. And they saw the God of Israel--That there was no visible

form or representation of the divine nature, we have expressly

intimated

(De 4:15).

But a symbol or emblem of His glory was distinctly, and at a distance,

displayed before those chosen witnesses. Many think, however, that in

this private scene was discovered, amid the luminous blaze, the faint

adumbrated form of the humanity of Christ

(Eze 1:26;

compare

Ga 3:24).

sapphire--one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious

gems--of a sky-blue or light azure color and frequently chosen to

describe the throne of God (see

Eze 1:26; 10:1).

11. upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his

hand--The "nobles," that is, the elders, after the sprinkling of

the blood, were not inspired with terror in presence of the calm,

benign, radiant symbol of the divine majesty; so different from the

terrific exhibitions at the giving of the law. The report of so many

competent witnesses would tend to confirm the people's faith in the

divine mission of Moses.

eat and drink--feasted on the peace offering--on the remnants of

the late sacrifices and libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing,

intimating God's dwelling with men.

12. I will give thee tables of stone--The ten commandments,

which had already been spoken, were to be given in a permanent form.

Inscribed on stone, for greater durability, by the hand of God Himself,

they were thus authenticated and honored above the judicial or

ceremonial parts of the law.

13. Moses went up into the mount of God--He was called to

receive the divine transcript. Joshua was taken a little higher, and it

would be a great comfort for the leader to have his company during the

six days he was in patient waiting for the call on the seventh or

sabbath day.

14. he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us--There is a

circular valley or hollow a good way up on the brow of Jebel Musa,

which was their halting place, while he alone was privileged to ascend

the highest peak. The people stood below, as in the "outer court," the

elders in the "holy place," Moses, as a type of Christ, in "the holy of

holies."

18. Moses went into the midst of the cloud--the visible token of

God's presence. Divine grace animated and supported him to enter with

holy boldness.

Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights--The six days

spent in waiting are not included. During that protracted period he was

miraculously supported

(De 9:9),

on a peak scarcely thirty paces in compass.