Exodus 24

At Sinai, God’s covenant with Israel is formally sealed. The people promise obedience, blood is sprinkled, and Moses with Aaron’s sons and the elders sees God and eats in His presence. Then Moses goes up into the glory cloud for forty days to receive the tablets of the law.

Exodus 24:1-2

God invites Moses, Aaron, his sons and seventy elders to come up, but only to worship from a distance. Moses alone may draw near. Even in a covenant of friendship, God is holy, and approaching Him needs a mediator.

BSA: worship (“bow down, prostrate yourselves”): True worship here means bowing low in reverence before the holy God. approach (“draw near, come to worship”): Moses’ nearness is a privilege given to him as go-between for the people.

See also: Hebrews 12:18-24.

Exodus 24:3

Moses tells the people everything God has said, both the commands and the judgments given in chapters 20-23. They answer together, with one voice, promising to do it all. It is a sincere and solemn promise, though they will soon find how hard keeping it is.

BSA: one voice (“united, in agreement”): The whole nation agrees together to accept God’s terms.

Exodus 24:4

Moses writes down God’s words, so they will not be forgotten or changed. Next morning he builds an altar with twelve pillars, one for each tribe. The whole nation stands, in picture, before God as one covenant people.

BSA: pillars (“monuments, memorials”): The stones stand as lasting reminders of the day Israel bound itself to God.

See also: Deuteronomy 31:24-26.

Exodus 24:5

Young men serve in the sacrifices. The burnt offerings are given wholly to God, a sign of full surrender. The peace offerings are shared in a meal, a sign of friendship with Him. Both are needed as the covenant begins.

BSA: burnt offerings (“sacrifices totally consumed by fire”): The whole animal goes up to God, picturing complete devotion. peace offerings (“sacrifices of peace, to show thanks and fellowship”): These offerings express thanks and a shared meal of fellowship with God.

See also: Leviticus 1:1-9.

Exodus 24:6

Moses divides the blood. Half goes into bowls, half is thrown against the altar. The blood is life given up, and it will touch both God’s side (the altar) and the people’s side (verse 8) of the agreement.

BSA: blood (“the liquid essential for life”): Blood stands for life poured out, which is why it is central to covenant and forgiveness.

See also: Leviticus 17:11.

Exodus 24:7

Moses reads the Book of the Covenant aloud so no one can say they did not know the terms. The people answer again, and this time they add that they will be obedient, which means they will listen and heed. Their promise is clear and public.

BSA: obedient (“listen, heed”): The Hebrew idea is hearing that leads to doing, not merely hearing.

Hebrew: נִשְׁמָע (nishmāʿ, H8085) — “we will hear (and obey).” The Hebrew word for hearing also carries the sense of obeying. So the people promise to listen in a way that acts.

Exodus 24:8

Moses sprinkles the blood on the people and declares it the blood of the covenant. The agreement is sealed by life given, not only by words. Jesus echoed these words at the Last Supper, speaking of His own blood.

BSA: covenant (“a promise or agreement between God and His people”): This is a binding relationship God Himself establishes, with terms and a sealing.

See also: Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:18-20.

Exodus 24:9-10

Now the leaders go up and see the God of Israel. The text does not describe Him, only what is beneath His feet: a surface like sapphire, as clear as the sky. They glimpse His majesty, but the description stays reverent and restrained.

BSA: pavement (“tiled floor, brickwork”): It suggests a floor of splendid, finished work beneath God’s throne. sapphire (“a precious gemstone, lapis lazuli”): A deep blue, costly stone, picturing heavenly beauty and worth.

See also: Ezekiel 1:26.

Exodus 24:11

Sinful people seeing God might expect to be struck down, but God did not lay His hand on them. Instead they ate and drank in His presence, a covenant meal. Peace with God is His gift, grounded in the blood just shed.

BSA: lay His hand (“an open hand; strength, a side or share”): God’s hand could have come in judgment, yet He held it back in mercy. ate (“partook, feasted”): Sharing a meal shows acceptance and friendship with God.

See also: Revelation 19:9.

Exodus 24:12

God calls Moses higher to receive stone tablets with the law and commandments, written by God Himself for the people’s instruction. His word is not human opinion but given from heaven to teach His people how to live.

BSA: instruction (“to teach, guide”): The law is given to teach and guide, not just to restrict.

Hebrew: תּוֹרָה (tôrāh, H8451) — “teaching, instruction.” The word translated law comes from a root meaning to point the way or to teach. It is a father’s guidance as much as a rule.

Exodus 24:13-14

Moses takes Joshua, his helper, up the mountain and leaves Aaron and Hur to settle disputes. Leadership is arranged in an orderly way while he is away. Joshua, quietly serving, is being prepared for his later role.

BSA: attendant (“his minister, servant, and attendant”): Joshua learns to lead by first serving at Moses’ side.

See also: Exodus 17:10-13.

Exodus 24:15-16

The cloud covers the mountain and God’s glory settles on Sinai. For six days Moses waits, then God calls from within the cloud on the seventh day. God speaks at His own time, and waiting on Him is part of meeting Him.

BSA: settled (“to dwell, tabernacle”): God’s glory does not just flash past; it remains, foreshadowing His dwelling among His people.

Hebrew: כָּבוֹד (kāvôd, H3519) — “glory, weight.” The Hebrew word carries the sense of heaviness, of real weight and importance. God’s glory is His overwhelming, undeniable presence.

See also: Exodus 40:34-35.

Exodus 24:17

To the people watching below, God’s glory looks like a consuming fire on the mountaintop. It is both beautiful and fearful. God is near and generous, yet holy and not to be treated lightly.

BSA: consuming (“devouring, eating”): The fire pictures God’s holiness that cannot tolerate sin.

See also: Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24.

Exodus 24:18

Moses steps into the cloud and stays on the mountain forty days and nights. He is alone with God, receiving what God wants to give. The long wait and the closeness show how seriously God takes His covenant word.

BSA: entered (“went into the midst of”): Moses goes right into the cloud, not merely near it, to meet God.

See also: Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:1-2.