The Covenant Confirmed

Exodus 24 is a crucial chapter that describes the ratification of the covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai. This event marks a significant moment in Israelite history, as it involves a formal agreement with specific commitments from both parties and a spectacular revelation of God’s glory.

Covenant Ceremony

• Preparation and Presentation: Moses conveys all of God’s instructions and laws to the people of Israel. In response, the people collectively agree to obey all that the Lord has said, demonstrating their commitment to the covenant (Exodus 24:3).
• Blood of the Covenant: Moses writes down all the Lord’s instructions overnight, then builds an altar at the foot of the mountain along with twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Young Israelite men offer burnt offerings and sacrifice young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. Moses takes half of the blood and puts it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkles on the altar (Exodus 24:4-6).
• Covenant Ratification: Moses reads the Book of the Covenant to the people, who again affirm their commitment to do everything the Lord has said. Moses then sprinkles the blood on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” This act seals the covenant, signifying the seriousness of their vows before God (Exodus 24:7-8).

Theophany on Mount Sinai

Divine Revelation

• Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and Seventy Elders: They ascend Mount Sinai and see the God of Israel. Under His feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, bright blue as the sky. Though they see God, He does not raise His hand against the leaders of the Israelites; they gaze upon God, eat, and drink, indicating a peaceful communion with the divine (Exodus 24:9-11).
• Moses on the Mountain: God calls Moses to come up to the mountain to receive the tablets of stone with the law and commandments. Moses goes further up into the mountain, where he stays for forty days and forty nights. During this time, the glory of the Lord rests on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covers it. To the Israelites, the appearance of the glory of the Lord is like a consuming fire on the mountain’s summit (Exodus 24:12-18).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christological Reflections

• New Covenant in Christ: The blood sprinkled on the people prefigures the blood of Christ, shed for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). Christ inaugurates a new covenant, not based on animal sacrifices but on His once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilling and surpassing the old covenant.
• Mediator of the New Covenant: Just as Moses acted as mediator between God and Israel, Christ stands as the mediator of the new covenant, providing a greater and more perfect access to God (Hebrews 9:15).

Divine Love and Its Implications

• God’s Desire for Fellowship: The communal meal on Sinai under God’s gaze illustrates His desire for fellowship with His people, reflecting His commitment to be their God and they His people.
• Provision of Law: The giving of the law represents God’s love in providing guidance for living in a way that promotes peace, justice, and holiness among His people.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Exodus 24 Still Matters Today

• Importance of Commitment to God’s Word: The people’s commitment to obey God’s words serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God’s instructions in contemporary life.
• Community and Worship: The communal aspects of the covenant ceremony highlight the importance of community in worship and mutual accountability in faith practices.
• Understanding God’s Holiness and Glory: The theophany at Sinai provides a profound insight into the nature of God’s holiness and glory, inviting believers to approach Him with reverence and awe.

Exodus 24 not only recounts the foundational covenant event between God and Israel but also provides profound lessons on commitment, community, and the nature of divine relationship, which continue to resonate in the lives of believers today.