Shadowland: Redemption: Week 23

That there is much spiritual teaching as well as moral instruction in Exodus 22-23 we doubt not, but so far as we are aware God has not yet been pleased to enlighten any of His servants thereon. Let the student, however, read carefully through them, noting how just, comprehensive and perfect were the laws which the Lord gave unto Israel.

Arthur W. Pink

Exodus 24: All that the LORD has said, we will do!

• 24:1 "worship afar off" - even before breaking the covenant, the law could not bring people into the presence of God.

  Nadab and Abihu as sons of Aaron enjoyed great light and privilege, but this could not ensure their walk with God. Both perished in judgement before the LORD in Leviticus 10.

• 24:2 "Moses alone is to approach the LORD" - as requested by the people. Moses is a picture of Christ in His role as mediator.
• 24:3,7 Moses gives them the basic statutes (21-23) orally, writes them down, and reads them again in 24:7. The people assent to the covenant both times.
• 24:4,5 The sacrifice is offered as instructed in 20:24. The covenant with Adam after the fall, with Noah after the flood, and with Abraham were all accompanied by a sacrifice.
• 24:10 "a pavement of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky" Ezekiel 1:26
• 24:11 "God did not raise his hand against these leaders" - the day before, it was death to break through the barrier. But they were covered by the blood of the covenent. As Pink puts it, "they were a blood-sprinkled people who had not yet broken the covenant."

  "They saw God; and they ate and drank." Never again would the people see (a representation of) God. Their very next act was to flagrantly violate the covenant.

• 24:16 "on the seventh day, the LORD called to Moses" - six days of toil, and then Moses enters into His rest.
• 24:17 "a consuming fire upon the mountain" - a reminder to the people of who they were dealing with, lest they dare to disobey. How quickly we forget.
• 24:18 "Moses entered into the glory" - a type of Christ ascending into heaven. We will later see Moses descend from the mountain twice, as Christ returns twice.