May 4, 2025
Exodus 24
“Draw Near, Stay Low”
Service Overview: Exodus 24 is a breathtaking encounter where God’s people confirm their covenant, share a meal in His presence, and witness His glory descend like fire. This isn’t just ancient history—it’s a call to re-commitment, awe, and worship.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
Background & Technical Insights:
- When talking about covenants, remember that for any covenant to be established it has to be confirmed by both parties. This happens in chapter 24. Chapters 20–23 lay out the terms of the covenant, and chapter 24 tells us how it was confirmed. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 158)
- This is the first mention of fellowship offerings being made in the Old Testament—a fitting introduction, because these offerings symbolize the existence of a harmonious relationship between God and those eating the sacrifice. For this reason the fellowship offering is sometimes known as the “peace offering” (cf. KJV; ESV). While the twelve pillars clearly represent the Israelites, the altar possibly represents God. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 243)
- When the Scripture says that the seventy-four men “saw God,” this doesn’t mean they beheld God in His essential being, for this isn’t possible (John 1:18). They saw some of God’s glory and they probably saw the throne of God on the sapphire pavement (see Ezek. 1:26), but the invisible God was hidden from them. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 155)
- (Exod. 24:11). The raising of God’s hand implies divine judgment through some disastrous display of supernatural power. By saying that this didn’t happen, the Bible implies that it certainly could have happened, and would have under normal circumstances. Israel’s leaders were in real danger. A visual encounter with Almighty God put them in jeopardy of sudden death. Yet the Bible indicates, almost with a sense of surprise, that they did not die. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 790)
- In those days it was not uncommon for people making a covenant to sit down and share a meal together afterward. For example, when Isaac made a covenant with Abimelech and his army, he “made a feast for them, and they ate and drank” (Gen. 26:30). Jacob and Laban shared the same kind of meal when they were reconciled after Jacob’s escape (Gen. 31:46). Breaking bread was a symbolic act of friendship. So Israel’s leaders eating and drinking on the mountain showed that they had fellowship with God. (Ryken, Exodus, 793)
- “Nadab and Abihu,” Aaron’s two eldest sons, would have been high priests after Aaron. They died, however, under God’s judgment because of their perverse deed (Lev 10:1– 2; Nu 3:4). (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Exodus, Location 6567)
What does Exodus 24 showcase about the role covenant plays in the relationship between God and His people?
- How covenant is sealed by substitutionary blood.
(vv. 3–8 | Exodus 12:13; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22; 10:4-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
We are told in Hebrews, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb 9:22). Since the fall, blood has been the basis of man’s relationship with God—in terms of sin and forgiveness. Without the blood, there can be no access to God because there is no forgiveness of sin (cf. Eph 1:7; Rev 1:5). (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 159)
As an obvious symbol of life, blood plays an important role in the sacrificial rituals. The shedding and sprinkling of blood are associated with paying a ransom and cleansing, respectively. Since the concepts of ransom and cleansing together constitute atonement, the burnt offerings atone for the sins of the Israelites. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 243)
- How covenant is THE means to fellowship with God.
(vv. 9–11 | Exo. 19:5; Deut. 7:9; Ps. 25:14; Is. 54:10; Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 9:15; Rev. 3:20)
Access to God’s presence depends on the establishment of a special relationship with him. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 241)
If getting a glimpse of God was not enough, they were given a further privilege—to share a meal with Him. Sharing a meal was a symbolic act of friendship. It showed that they had fellowship (communion) with God. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 161)
Worshipping God is the highest privilege and the greatest responsibility of the Christian life, because God is the highest Being in the universe and the One to whom we must one day give account. Everything that we are and do flows out of our relationship with the Lord. God created us in His image so we might love Him and have fellowship with Him, not because we have to but because we want to. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 154)
- How covenant is facilitated through a faithful mediator.
(vv. 12–18 | Ex. 32:30-32; Num. 12:6-8; 1 Tim. 2:5; Gal. 3:19-20; Heb. 3:1-6; 10:19-22)
(v. 2). An exception was made in the case of Moses, … because he was the appointed mediator between God and His people, and therefore the type of the Lord Jesus Christ. … The repeated prohibition in this verse emphasizes what is said in the previous one and confirms our comments thereon; Christ had to suffer for sins, “The Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). (Arthur Pink, Gleanings in Exodus, Location 5718)
Moses alone is to function as the mediator between God and the Israelites, just as Christ is designated as the second Moses in Hebrews 3:1–6 and thus is the mediator of the new covenant (Heb 12:24). (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Exodus, Location 6581)
Conclusion… How does this covenant scene shape our faith today?
- As it points to and invites us to trust the blood that speaks a better word.
(Mat. 26:28; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 8:6; 9:14; 12:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Rev. 1:5; 5:9)
Both Matthew and Mark record Jesus as shifting the “my” from “the blood of my covenant” (in Zechariah) to “my blood of the covenant.” That is, the blood that seals the covenant with God’s people is no longer the blood of Moses’s animal sacrifices shed at Mount Sinai but the blood of Jesus himself that would be shed the next morning. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 466)
- As it calls us to live as those invited to the table.
(Psalm 23:5-6; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:16-17; 1 John 1:3; Rev. 3:20; 19:9)
The Christian life is not about all the things we do for God- it’s about being loved by Him, loving Him in return, and walking in intimate union and communion with Him. (Nancy Leigh DeMoss, A Place of Quiet Rest, 43)
He does not love us if we love Him. He loves us with an unconditional love; therefore, we should love Him. The message of the covenant is one of God’s totally free grace to His people. Of course, it calls for a response of total commitment. But notice the order: God’s covenant love is not the result of our commitment; it is the cause of it. The pattern is, “I will, therefore you should;” not “I will, but only if you will first.” (Sinclair Ferguson, A Heart for God, 36-37)
We do not merit salvation through obedience to God, but obedience flows naturally when we trust Christ for our salvation. These two elements of Christian living should not be divorced. We are saved because of God’s love for us, but this becomes the basis of our love for God. Love for God should lead to obedience (John 14:15). (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 246)
- As it invites us to follow the one Mediator who can lead us into glory.
(Deut. 18:15; John 14:2-6; Rom. 5:1-2; 8:34; Eph. 2:13-18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 3:1-6; 7:25)
Jesus came down so that one day we could be lifted up. What happened to Moses is a picture of what will happen to everyone who comes to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Glory is in our destiny. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 799)
The measure of love is how much it gives, and the measure of the love of God is the gift of his only son to become human, and to die for sins, and so to become the one mediator who can bring us to God. (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 125)
We can only draw close to God and be in His presence if we come on His terms, in the way He has appointed—through an appointed mediator. Back then it was through Moses and the priests. Now it is only through Jesus Christ, the “one mediator between God and humanity” (1 Tim 2:5). (Tony Merida, Exodus, 159)
Gospel Connection…
Through His blood, Jesus secured our forgiveness, restored our fellowship, and grants direct access to the God of the Universe.
(Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:20-22; Heb. 4:14-16; 10:19-22; 1 Peter 3:18; Rev. 1:5-6)
Think of it. In order for God to atone for man’s sin, someone had to subject Himself to death. Yet only one who had unlimited ability to atone for sin could do that, only a perfect man. He had to have unlimited ability to atone, because He would be shedding His blood for all humankind. He had to be perfect because God accepts only unblemished sacrifices. Who could do that? Only God. And God the Son shed His own blood for us (Acts 20:28) (Josh McDowell and Bart Larson, Jesus, a Biblical Defense of His Deity, 90)
On that cross, Christ endured the holocaust of God’s wrath against our sin and exhausted it. (Michael Lawrence, Biblical Theology, 163)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- How does understanding that Jesus’ blood speaks a “better word” (Hebrews 12:24) impact your view of forgiveness?
- What does it mean to have fellowship with God? How has your experience of that fellowship grown or changed over time?
- Moses acted as a mediator between God and the people. How does this help you understand Jesus’ role as our mediator today?
- Exodus 24 shows people drawing near to God without being consumed. What does that reveal about God’s desire for relationship?
- How should knowing you’re in covenant with God shape your daily decisions, habits, or priorities?
Quotes to note…
Covenants are not merely contracts or promises. Rather, covenants are relationships under authority, with both obligations and rewards. The terms and benefits of the relationship are spelled out, and so are the consequences if the relationship is broken. But what is perhaps most significant about biblical covenants is that when God enters into a covenant, He must condescend to initiate it, He sets the terms, He provides the benefits, and He executes the judgment when the covenant is broken. (Michael Lawrence, Biblical Theology, 31)
There is no such thing as genuine knowledge of God that does not show itself in obedience to His Word and will. The person who wants to know God but who has no heart to obey Him will never enter the sacred courts where God reveals Himself to the soul of man. God does not give divine knowledge to those who have no desire to glorify Him. (Sinclair Ferguson, A Heart for God, 10)
[Obedience] is not to be done slavishly, out of servile fear or out of some rigid, stoical desire for rule-keeping, but rather from a profound desire to express our love for the Father. (R.C. Sproul, The Purpose of God, An Exposition of Ephesians, 123)
The truth is we all, like Israel, fail to obey. But when this happens, we must look to the One who did obey perfectly, the One who provides us with His righteousness. Jesus Christ—the radiance of God’s glory, Who holds the universe by His power—shed His own blood for you. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 160)
As we have seen before in Exodus meals matter, because in the story of the gospel meals matter. This moment on the mountain was repeated on the night before Jesus died: “After the supper [Jesus] took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:20). Jesus made a new covenant with his people. Again, it was a covenant confirmed through blood. But this time it was his own blood that was shed, as symbolised in the wine. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 183)
The sprinkling of the sacrificial blood on the people would be a sign, then, not only of the effective cleansing and atoning power of the sacrifice on their behalf but also of their “ordination.” Israel as a whole people is being consecrated and commissioned for the role that God had proclaimed as his intention for them in 19:5–6—namely, to be his royal priesthood in the midst of all the nations in the whole earth. That was to be their mission; this is the moment that initiates them into it. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 459)
We must rely solely and wholly on what Christ has done for us and not depend on anything that we may do to merit God’s forgiveness. We should be ever thankful that Christ’s suffering on our behalf prepares the way for us to enter safely into the glorious presence of God. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 246)
Jesus Christ, the one mediator, our only hope, this is the way. (Pastor Dave)