24:1 AND HE SAID UNTO MOSES, COME UP UNTO THE LORD, THOU, AND AARON, NADAB, AND ABIHU, AND SEVENTY OF THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL; AND WORSHIP YE AFAR OFF.
24:2 AND MOSES ALONE SHALL COME NEAR THE LORD: BUT THEY SHALL NOT COME NIGH; NEITHER SHALL THE PEOPLE GO UP WITH HIM.
A.COME UP UNTO THE LORD: This is instruction about another ascent into the Mountain. Moses would go back to the people, and when they had heard and had accepted the Covenant and it had been ratified, then he would again COME UP UNTO THE LORD.
B.NADAB AND ABIHU: These two were Aaron's oldest sons, and would have been his successors in the priesthood if they had not sinned (see Lev 10:1-2).
C.SEVENTY OF THE ELDERS: These leaders, along with Nadab and Abihu (making seventy-two) may have represented the twelve tribes, being six men from each tribe.
D.WORSHIP YE AFAR OFF: All of the men were to go part way up the mountain, but only Moses would be allowed to go on up into the presence of God; the others had to worship at a distance.
24:3 AND MOSES CAME AND TOLD THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THE LORD, AND ALL THE JUDGMENTS: AND ALL THE PEOPLE ANSWERED WITH ONE VOICE, AND SAID, ALL THE WORDS WHICH THE LORD HATH SAID WILL WE DO.
A.MOSES CAME AND TOLD THE PEOPLE: Moses had been given the legislation which is set out in the Chapters 20-23; Now, having come down from the Mountain, he gave it to the people, and thus introduced them to the Constitution of God's govern-ment; They soon would have it in written form - Verse 4.
B.THE PEOPLE ANSWERED WITH ONE VOICE: This is the right direc-tion to go -- have the will to obey, and then obey - Cf Jn 7:17 ("If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine"). But as is common with an excited crowd of people, a common feeling caused them to make promises which they later would not keep -- They did not yet know how to distrust them-selves. Their honest promise of obedience was proper, and it was accepted as being valuable, but it was not yet accepted as a formal ratification of the Covenant -- Before the ceremony could be complete, Moses had to write a book, build an altar, make a sacrifice, and sprinkle blood.
24:4 AND MOSES WROTE ALL THE WORDS OF THE LORD, AND ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND BUILDED AN ALTAR UNDER THE HILL, AND TWELVE PILLARS, ACCORDING TO THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL.
A.MOSES WROTE: Note the change here from TOLD in Verse 3 to WROTE in Verse 4. This is the first reference to the written Word of God. Inspiration of Moses would be essential to this process - cf 2Pe 1:21 ("For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost"); and Jn 14:26 ("But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you"). It was important that they have a written reminder of the Covenant they had accepted. PULPIT COMMENTARY says: "A dying enthusi-asm goes hand in hand with a waning memory; only a record which will revive the memory can avail to rekindle the enthu-siasm. Our own experience illustrates this. The diary, the marked Bible -- what a suggestive eloquence they have, not only to remind of old times, but to re-awaken old feelings!"
B.ROSE UP EARLY: Apparently this was the day after he WROTE.
C.AND BUILDED AN ALTAR: The Covenant could not be binding until it was sealed by blood, so a sacrifice was necessary. The ALTAR would signify the presence of God.
D.TWELVE PILLARS: Large stones to symbolize the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. The combining of the ALTAR and the PILLARS suggests the unity of Jehovah and His people Israel.
24:5 AND HE SENT YOUNG MEN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHICH OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS, AND SACRIFICED PEACE OFFERINGS OF OXEN UNTO THE LORD.
A.HE SENT YOUNG MEN: This was before the Levitical priesthood was instituted, and Aaron and his sons were not yet appointed to be priests of the nation - See Ex 28:1 ("And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, [even] Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons"). The YOUNG MEN may have been taken from the number of the first-born, who served as the priests of their families. Or, perhaps all the people were looked on as being holy, and anyone could offer sacrifice. YOUNG MEN probably were needed to handle the strong animals.
B.WHICH OFFERED: The OFFERINGS and SACRIFICES would atone for their sins and bring them into a state of PEACE with God.
24:6 AND MOSES TOOK HALF OF THE BLOOD, AND PUT [IT] IN BASINS; AND HALF OF THE BLOOD HE SPRINKLED ON THE ALTAR.
C.HALF OF THE BLOOD...IN BASINS: He reserved this blood to sprinkle on the people - Verse 8.
D.HALF OF THE BLOOD HE SPRINKLED ON THE ALTAR: The blood was the victim's life; The sprinkling of it upon the altar was the ultimate gift - See Lev 1:5 ("And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation").
24:7 AND HE TOOK THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT, AND READ IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE PEOPLE: AND THEY SAID, ALL THAT THE LORD HATH SAID WILL WE DO, AND BE OBEDIENT.
A.HE TOOK THE BOOK...AND READ: This is the first mention of any part of the Word as being in a physical "book." This was the nucleus of all the law to follow. These were the ordinances governing religious life (they were not detailed in the writ-ing of Moses until the next chapter and chapters following). This was the basis for a stable government, and there was no need for anyone to be ignorant of it, so it was read publicly, that all Israel might know God's Will.
B.AND THEY SAID: They now strengthen the statement of Verse 3 by saying they will BE OBEDIENT, which would be a promise that not only would they DO what THE LORD HATH SAID up to now, but they would continue to do whatever He would command in the future. This is natural -- The Lord's Will is so obviously good, and the rewards so great, that it seems highly unusual that one would consider the truth and then reject it. Note:
24:8 AND MOSES TOOK THE BLOOD, AND SPRINKLED [IT] ON THE PEOPLE, AND SAID, BEHOLD THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHICH THE LORD HATH MADE WITH YOU CONCERNING ALL THESE WORDS.
A.BLOOD...SPRINKLED IT ON THE PEOPLE: See Heb 9:18-20 ("Where-upon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprin-kled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This [is] the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you"); and Heb 13:20 ("Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant").
B.AND SAID: The acceptance of the Covenant was now complete, as the parties to the Covenant (Jehovah and Israel) were brought into union, both being partakers of the one blood; And now Israel was formally recognized as being the people of God.
24:9 THEN WENT UP MOSES, AND AARON, NADAB, AND ABIHU, AND SEVENTY OF THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL:
24:10 AND THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL: AND [THERE WAS] UNDER HIS FEET AS IT WERE A PAVED WORK OF A SAPPHIRE STONE, AND AS IT WERE THE BODY OF HEAVEN IN [HIS] CLEARNESS.
24:11 AND UPON THE NOBLES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HE LAID NOT HIS HAND: ALSO THEY SAW GOD, AND DID EAT AND DRINK.
A.ELDERS OF ISRAEL: These men, being leaders, needed this experience to help them help the people.
B.THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL: Any explanation of the nature of this vision would be speculation. It must be considered in the light of other passages on the subject - Jn 1:18 ("No man hath seen God at any time"). This includes Jacob - Gen 32:30 ("And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved") -- Compare Hos 12:4 ("Yea, he had power over THE ANGEL, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Beth-el"). It also includes Moses - Ex 33:17-23 ("And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the LORD said, Behold, [there is] a place by me, and thou shalt
stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen"). The only thing we can conclude is that those who SAW GOD saw some form or represen-tation of Jehovah, but not Jehovah in His Personal Glory.
C.HE LAID NOT HIS HAND: Had it not been for God's mercy, these leaders would have been punished for looking upon Him. They were safe, being sprinkled with the blood of atonement and being in the presence of the God of mercy. This is our sit-uation when we come to the Throne of Grace in prayer.
D.DID EAT AND DRINK: Further showing that they were allowed to continue living physically. This must have been a glorious feast, as they were gathered together to serve Him Who had a beautiful bright blue SAPPHIRE UNDER HIS FEET. A word of warning to us: Remember that these men later perished in the desert - Cf Lk 13:26-27 ("Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity").
24:12 AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, COME UP TO ME INTO THE MOUNT, AND BE THERE: AND I WILL GIVE THEE TABLES OF STONE, AND A LAW, AND COMMANDMENTS WHICH I HAVE WRITTEN; THAT THOU MAYEST TEACH THEM.
A.COME UP TO ME INTO THE MOUNT, AND BE THERE: Moses now had to receive full instructions about how the people were to wor-ship, how to build the place of worship, the priesthood, and all the rules and forms and regulations. God did not give Israel (and He does not give the church) the right to devise these things and to offer human inventions as worship. All is from the Mind of God; the "patterns" are His - Heb 8:5 ("Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the taberna-cle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount"). All of this would take time (it takes the next seven Chapters of this Book to give the details), so Moses is instructed to BE THERE (to continue as long a time as was needed).
B.I WILL GIVE THEE TABLES/LAW/COMMANDMENTS: Synonyms for the Decalogue, the words which God Himself had WRITTEN. Moses and the people needed to be impressed that this was Jehovah's law, and it was characterized by permanence (written on STONE).
C.THAT THOU MAYEST TEACH THEM: The laws had been read to the people - Verse 7; But simple reading is insufficient, as there needs to be constant TEACHING about the Master and His Will.
24:13 AND MOSES ROSE UP, AND HIS MINISTER JOSHUA: AND MOSES WENT UP INTO THE MOUNT OF GOD.
24:14 AND HE SAID UNTO THE ELDERS, TARRY YE HERE FOR US, UNTIL WE COME AGAIN UNTO YOU: AND, BEHOLD, AARON AND HUR [ARE] WITH YOU: IF ANY MAN HAVE ANY MATTERS TO DO, LET HIM COME UNTO THEM.
A.MOSES ROSE UP: This is the proper response to God -- No delay, no objections, no request to do something else first.
B.AND HIS MINISTER JOSHUA: Joshua was taken still further up the Mountain, as he needed additional training and confidence for the time when he would be the successor to Moses.
C.TARRY YE HERE FOR US: Since God had implied that Moses would BE THERE for some length of time, Moses knew he needed to in-struct the elders as to how to conduct affairs in his absence.
D.They were to remain at that location (part way up the Moun-tain), and to look to Aaron and Hur as representatives of Moses who would handle any difficulties which might arise.
24:15 AND MOSES WENT UP INTO THE MOUNT, AND A CLOUD COVERED THE MOUNT.
24:16 AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD ABODE UPON MOUNT SINAI, AND THE CLOUD COVERED IT SIX DAYS: AND THE SEVENTH DAY HE CALLED UNTO MOSES OUT OF THE MIDST OF THE CLOUD.
A.CLOUD COVERED IT SIX DAYS: Moses had obeyed and must have been on a little shelf just below the summit, ready and waiting for the call into God's presence. For SIX DAYS there was no word or sign from God, only quiet calm, as Moses apparently waited in a sense of his unworthiness, and in patient reverence. That must have impressed him (and it further teaches us) that human beings are not to rush into the presence of God without thoughtful preparation.
B.AND THE SEVENTH DAY HE CALLED: In God's time, the call came.
24:17 AND THE SIGHT OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD [WAS] LIKE DEVOURING FIRE ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNT IN THE EYES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
**The elders down below, and all the people still further below, could now see the wonderful glory of God, like a great consum-ing FIRE ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNT.
24:18 AND MOSES WENT INTO THE MIDST OF THE CLOUD, AND GAT HIM UP INTO THE MOUNT: AND MOSES WAS IN THE MOUNT FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS.
A.MOSES WENT: After all the preparation, and surely after much prayer, Moses left Joshua, and disappeared from sight.
B.IN THE MOUNT FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS: If this includes the six days before he entered the MIDST OF THE CLOUD, then he was in the presence of God thirty-four days.
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