Chapter 24; Exodus, The Covenant Confirmed As we completed Chapter 23, the last instruction from God that

outline for the Israelites when dealing with the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites and Jebusites (those surrounding peoples that worship other gods), Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you. In the past three chapters (20-23), God has outlined the laws and ordinances for Moses to share with the Israelites. Moses has been on Mt. Sinai during this time of instruction and as he leaves, God tells him to return with his brother, Aaron, and Moses two sons, Nadab and Abihu along with seventy of the elders. An important point is made when Moses is told he is the only one to draw near to God. The others were to remain at a distance. This distance, under law, is to be maintained between the sinner and God. It is only through

the Messiahs sacrifice are we permitted to draw near to God.

Moses descends the mountain and goes to the people sharing the laws of God. Of course, they have very good intentions to keep the law and agreed readily to the same. However, humans are helpless to keep any promise or covenant without Gods assistance through the power of the Holy Spirit made possibly by Jesus Christ. Moses erects an altar with twelve stones signifying the twelve tribes (the altar is built as a sign of the covenant the people are making with God to keep His laws and ordinances). Moses sprinkles blood on the altar as a sign of Gods part in the covenant and then he sprinkles blood on the people as a sign of their agreement to keep their part. It is at this point Moses returns to Mt. Sinai with those God directed to accompany him. Scripture details that these men actually saw God and ate and drank in His presence. Its important to note that this doesnt happen often in scripture. God is Holy and His unveiled presence is a consuming fire and would destroy a human body. However, God can take the form of an angel, a man, a glory cloud, a burning bushthat would make it possible for a person to see Him and live. It appears, to me, that in verse 12 another invitation to come up on the mountain is being extended to Moses. God shares that He will give the law to Moses on tablets of stone. Moses does return to Mt. Sinai, this time with Joshua, and instructs the elders to wait for them to return. If any conflicts arise within the community of Israelites, they are to refer these incidences to Aaron and Hur.

Scripture doesnt specify how far Joshua went with Moses up the mountain, but for six days a cloud covered the mountain and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses and then Moses entered what is described as a consuming fire on the mountain. He remained there forty days and forty nights. POINTS TO PONDER: 1) Scripture records the giving of The Ten Commandments as the period in history when the Israelites lived under the ordinances and requirements of the law. Since the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary we now live under a period of grace and mercy. That doesnt mean we have thrown out The Ten Commandments, but we no longer need a human mediator, as was given through the Levitical line of priests, to come before God. When the curtain was torn in the tabernacle opening the Holy of Holies, Jesus Christ became our ultimate mediator. 2) In order to come before the Throne of Mercy and Grace, we need to be cleansed both physically and spiritually. The people were given specific instructions on how to prepare properly for physical cleanliness before appearing before Mt. Sinai where Gods presence dwelt. Today before we take part in the communion table bearing the elements of bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus, we are asked to pray for the forgiveness of our sins and that the Lord would wash us by His saving blood in order that we be cleansed to partake in this celebration. 3) The time of forty days and forty nights has often been referred to in the Bible. My commentary shares that the number forty is one of testing or probation. In this instance the testing was not for Moses, it was for those same individuals who had been covered with the animals sacrificial blood as their part in an agreement with God. The agreement to keep Gods laws and ordinances. Only forty days....and they would prove to be unsuccessful in their attempt. 4) We cannot, in and of our own human ability, keep our promises to a Holy God. We are frail children of dust and desperately need the anointing of the Holy Spirit to direct our path and keep us from sin that seeks to destroy our testimony. However, God does keep His promises to us.each and every one.

Every promise in the book is mine. Every chapter, every verse, every line; all the blessings of His love divine, every promise in the book is mine. Thank you, Father, for your faithfulness in keeping every promise in the Bible; every chapter, every verse, every line. In Jesus name, Amen!

Note: If you get a chance, Google Every Promise in the Book if Mine. Its a childrens song that I learned a very long time ago. Make sure you get the video of the children singing. Its a very catchy little tune! God bless!