Exodus 24

God commandeth Moseh, Aaron, Nadab and Abibu, to come to him upon the mount , v.1,etc. The people promise obedience to the Laws of the LORD , 3. Moseh buildeth an Altar, and twelve pillars, 4. He sprinkleth the Altar with the blood of the sacrifices , 6. Moseh and the elders of the people see the LORD, 9. God promiseth to give Moseh the two Tables of stone , 12. Aaron and Hur are to take care in the mean time of the people , 14. God appeareth upon the mount as a consuming fire , 16 . Moseh remains fourty days and fourty nights upon the mount , 18.

1. After that , He [viz. God] said to Moseh ; Ascend [viz. After that thou shalt have acquainted the people with the above-rehearsed Commandements] unto the LORD, [i.e. to me] thou and Aaron , Nadab and Abihu, [the two eldest sons of Aaron, which were afterwards devoured by the fire of the LORD, Lev.10.1,2. for offering strange fire to the LORD] and seventy of the Eldest of Israel, and bow your selves down afar off.

2. And let Moseh alone draw near to the LORD ; but let not them draw near : neither let the people climb up with him, [ viz.With Moseh or, with the elders ; the people was to remain below at the foot of the hill. The elders went about half way up, and saw the glory of God in some sort , more evidently, verse 9,10. but Moseh went up to the very top of the mount into the dark cloud , verse 18.

3. When Moseh came [viz. Down from the hill, into the camp] and related unto the people all the words of the LORD,and all the rites : then all the people answered with one voice ; and they said ; All these words, which the LORD hath spoken , we will do.[This the people spake , not knowing the impossibility of keeping the Law , which is sick through the flesh, Rom.8.3.]

4. Now Moseh described all the words of the LORD,[viz.after that he had made them to the people by word of mouth, verse 3.] and rose up early in the morning, and he built an Altar , [viz.for a Memorial, or in remembrance of the Covenant made there betwixt God and the people , as Gen.31.45.] beneath at the mount [i.e. at the foot of the mount] and twelve pillars , [to put them in minde of the Covenant] according to the twelve Tribes of Israel.

5. And he sent the young men of the children of Israel, [i.e. The first-born who were the Priests and Offerers , until the Levites ( who came to supply the place of the first-born, Numb.3.41.) were ordained for the Priestly function. The Hebrew word rendred young-men (or, youth) here, doth not always signifie such as are young of years , but often likewise such as are fit and able to do good an d special services , whether it be in Ecclesiastical, Civil , or Military affairs , or for their parents or friends] and offered thank-offerings unto the LORD of young oxen . [and likewise other beasts , Heb.9.19.]

6. And Moseh took the moiety of the blood [viz. of the beasts there slain to be sacrificed] and put it into basons, and the moiety of the blood he sprinkled upon the Altar . [and upon the book also, Heb.9.19.]

7. And he took the book of the Covenant . [See verse 4.] and he read it before the ears of the people : and they said ; All that the LORD hath spoken , we will do and obey .

8. Then Moseh took that blood , [To wit, the other moiety of the blood] and sprinkled it upon the people : and he said ; Behold ( this is ) the blood of the Covenant , which the LORD hath made with you, over all these words. [viz. which are written in the book of the Covenant .]

9. Moseh now and Aaron went upwards, (as) also Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the eldest of Israel.

10. And they saw the God of Israel, [To wit, some tokens of the presence of God , verse 15 , 16. for no man ever saw God in his Essence , Exod.33.20. And 1 Tim.6.16. and under his feet like a work [i.e. structure, fabrick oth. like the work of a pavement] of Saphir-stones ; and as the likeness [Heb. of the body] of Heaven,in (its) brightness.

11. Yet did he not stretch forth his hand [i.e. He did destroy none of them that were come up on the mount at this time , as he had threatned above, chap.19. verse 12. for that now they were come up by his particular command , verse 1. and 9.] to the seperated of the children of Israel :[understand the eldest of the people, of whom mention is made, verse 1. and 9. oth. Princes , Chieftains] but they did eat and drink after they had seen God ; [i.e.they remained alive , and in good health and temper, testifying the same by their eating and drinking .]

12. Then the LORD said to Moseh ; Come to me upon the mount ; and be (or,stay) there : and I will give thee Tables of stone, and the Law and the Commandements , which I have written, for to instruct them.

13. Then Moseh arose , with Joshua his servant ; and Moseh went up, on the mount of God . [to wit, upon mount Sinai]

14. And he said to the eldest , [viz. When he was ready to go forth out of the camp, and to ascend the mount] Tarry ye us here ; until we return unto you : and behold, Aaron and Hur are with you ; He that hath any business , [Heb. he that is master of words ,or, businesses] let him come to them.

15. When Moseh was gone up to the mount ; a cloud did cover the mount. [This was a token of the presence of God , although it happened not without some terrour and affrightment : 2 Chro. 6.1. Hebrews 12:18. See likewise Exodus 19:9.]

16. And the glory of the LORD dwelt upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered him six days ; [Either the LORD, Moseh, or the Mount] and on the seventh day he called Moseh out of the midst of the cloud [viz. Moseh all alone : so that Moseh had not Joshua himself with him , when God spake unto him .]

17. And the regard of the glory of the LORD, was as a consuming fire , [This served to terrifie the transgressours of the Law , Deut.4.24.] upon the top [Heb.head] of that mount, in the eyes of the children of Israel

18. And Moseh went into the midst of the cloud , after that he had gone up into the mount ; and Moseh was upon that mount fourty days and fourty nights . [viz. without eating and drinking , Exod.34.28. Deut.9. 9,18.]