---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Exodus 24"
description: "CHAPTER 24   :-. DELIVERY OF THE
LAW AND COVENANT. 3, 4. Moses came and told the people
all the words of the Lord—The rehearsal of the foregoing laws
and"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/exodus/24"
---

CHAPTER 24

. DELIVERY OF THE
LAW AND COVENANT.

**3, 4. Moses came and told the people
all the words of the Lord**—The rehearsal of the foregoing laws
and the ten commandments, together with the promises of special
blessings in the event of their obedience, having drawn forth from
the people a unanimous declaration of their consent, it was forthwith
recorded as the conditions of the *national* covenant. The next
day preparations were made for having it (the covenant) solemnly
ratified, by building an altar and twelve pillars; the altar
representing God, and the pillars the tribes of Israel—the two
parties in this solemn compact—while Moses acted as typical
mediator.

**5. young men**—priests (), probably the oldest sons of particular families, who
acted under the direction of Moses.
**oxen**—Other animals,
though not mentioned, were offered in sacrifice ().

**6. Moses took half of the blood . .
. sprinkled**—Preliminary to this was the public reading of the
law and the renewed acceptance of the terms by the people; then the
sprinkling of the blood was the sign of solemn ratification—half on
each party in the transaction.

**8. Moses took the blood, and
sprinkled it on the people**—probably on the twelve pillars, as
representing the people (also the book, ), and the act was accompanied by a public proclamation of
its import. It was setting their seal to the covenant (compare ). It must have been a deeply impressive, as well as
instructive scene, for it taught the Israelites that the covenant was
made with them only through the sprinkling of blood—that the divine
acceptance of themselves and services, was only by virtue of an
atoning sacrifice, and that even the blessings of the *national*
covenant were promised and secured to them only through grace. The
ceremonial, however, had a further and higher significance, as is
shown by the apostle (see ).

**9. Then went up Moses, and Aaron**—in
obedience to a command given ([Exodus 24:1](../../../kjv/exodus/24/1);
[Exodus 24:2](../../../kjv/exodus/24/2); also [Exodus 24:2](../../../kjv/exodus/24/2)), previous to the religious engagement of the people, now
described.
**Nadab, and Abihu**—the
two oldest sons of Aaron [[Exodus 6:23](../../../kjv/exodus/6/23)].
**seventy of the elders**—a
select number; what was the principle of selection is not said; but
they were the chief representatives, the most conspicuous for
official rank and station, as well as for their probity and weight of
character in their respective tribes.

**10. And they saw the God of
Israel**—That there was no visible form or representation of the
divine nature, we have expressly intimated (). But a symbol or emblem of His glory was distinctly, and at
a distance, displayed before those chosen witnesses. Many think,
however, that in this private scene was discovered, amid the luminous
blaze, the faint adumbrated form of the humanity of Christ (; compare [Galatians 3:24](../../../kjv/galatians/3/24)).
**sapphire**—one of the
most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems—of a sky-blue or
light azure color and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God
(see [Ezekiel 1:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/26); [Ezekiel 10:1](../../../kjv/ezekiel/10/1)).

**11. upon the nobles of the children
of Israel he laid not his hand**—The "nobles," that is,
the elders, after the sprinkling of the blood, were not inspired with
terror in presence of the calm, benign, radiant symbol of the divine
majesty; so different from the terrific exhibitions at the giving of
the law. The report of so many competent witnesses would tend to
confirm the people's faith in the divine mission of Moses.
**eat and drink**—feasted
on the peace offering—on the remnants of the late sacrifices and
libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing, intimating God's
dwelling with men.

**12. I will give thee tables of
stone**—The ten commandments, which had already been spoken, were
to be given in a permanent form. Inscribed on stone, for greater
durability, by the hand of God Himself, they were thus authenticated
and honored above the judicial or ceremonial parts of the law.

**13. Moses went up into the mount of
God**—He was called to receive the divine transcript. Joshua was
taken a little higher, and it would be a great comfort for the leader
to have his company during the six days he was in patient waiting for
the call on the seventh or sabbath day.

**14. he said unto the elders, Tarry
ye here for us**—There is a circular valley or hollow a good way
up on the brow of Jebel Musa, which was their halting place, while he
alone was privileged to ascend the highest peak. The people stood
below, as in the "outer court," the elders in the "holy
place," Moses, as a type of Christ, in "the holy of
holies."

**18. Moses went into the midst of the
cloud**—the visible token of God's presence. Divine grace
animated and supported him to enter with holy boldness.
**Moses was in the mount forty
days and forty nights**—The six days spent in waiting are not
included. During that protracted period he was miraculously supported
([Deuteronomy 9:9](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/9/9)), on a peak scarcely
thirty paces in compass.

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