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Atomic Bible
Exodus

Chapter 24

The Covenant Sealed and Moses on the Mountain

Exodus 24 seals the covenant in ordered steps: the LORD summons chosen representatives, Moses speaks and writes the covenant words, the people answer with obedience, and blood marks both altar and people before Israel's leaders eat in God's presence. The chapter then turns upward as Moses is called farther onto the mountain to receive the written law and remains there within the cloud of divine glory.

After the covenant words of Exodus 20–23, this chapter ratifies them in worship and covenant blood. It also opens the long mountain section that follows, where Moses receives the tabernacle instructions from within the LORD's glory.

2 sections·460 words·~2 min read

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Exodus 24

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vv. 1-11

The Covenant Sealed

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T1hen the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD — you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders — and you are to worship at a distance. 2Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

3When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.” 4And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD.

5Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. 6Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splattered on the altar. 7Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

9Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. 11But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.

vv. 12-18

Moses on the Mountain

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T12hen the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” 13So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God. 14And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Whoever has a dispute can go to them.”

15When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. 18Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

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  1. 01vv. 1-11The Covenant SealedThe covenant is sealed through spoken words, written terms, sacrifice, and blood, as Israel pledges obedience to the LORD. The section then rises into a guarded vision of God, where Israel's leaders are received before Him and share a covenant meal.
  2. 02vv. 12-18Moses on the MountainThe LORD calls Moses higher to receive the stone tablets written for Israel's instruction, and Moses sets out with Joshua while the elders remain below under Aaron and Hur. The mountain is then covered by cloud and glory until Moses enters the cloud and remains there forty days and forty nights.
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