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Exodus 24

18 verses

TL;DR

Moses leads a covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai, reading the law, offering sacrifices, and receiving the tablets of stone, while the Israelites commit to obedience.

Summary

In Exodus 24, Moses gathers the leaders of Israel to a covenant ceremony where he reads the law and the people affirm their obedience. He constructs an altar and sacrifices burnt and peace offerings, then uses the blood of the offerings to seal the covenant. The covenant book is read aloud, and the blood is sprinkled on the people as a sign of the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders ascend the mountain, where they witness God with a sapphire‑stone like foundation and the clear body of heaven. After the ascent, Moses returns to the camp and instructs the elders to remain while he receives the stone tablets from God in a cloud that covers the mountain for seven days.

Outline
  1. The covenant ceremony and sacrifices at Mount Sinai
  2. The reading and signing of the covenant
  3. Moses’ ascent to receive the tablets
Themes
Covenant and lawSacrifice and atonementDivine encounter and revelation
Keywords
covenantbloodalderlawtabletsmountaincloudgloryobedience
People
MosesAaronNadabAbihuthe seventy eldersJoshuaHurthe LORD
Places
Mount Sinaiunder the hill
Things
altarblood of offeringscovenant booktables of stonecloudsapphire stonebody of heaven
Key Verses
  • Exodus 24:7: Reading of the covenant book by Moses
  • Exodus 24:8: Sprinkling of blood on the people, signifying covenant
  • Exodus 24:16: God’s presence in the cloud covering the mountain, culminating in the seventh day
  • Exodus 24:17: The sight of God described as devouring fire
Questions
  • What does the act of sprinkling blood on the people signify about the covenant between God and Israel?
  • How does the vision of God on the mount (sapphire stone, body of heaven) inform our understanding of divine presence?
  • Why is the separation of Moses from the people during the ascent significant?
  • What lessons can be drawn from the Israelites’ unanimous vow to obey the law?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter combines awe and reverence with solemn commitment and separation.