COVENANT CONFIRMATION. EXODUS 24 The Israelites had heard God’s offer of a covenant with them and what would be required. When covenants are formed, there is an agreement between those entering into this pact to fulfill the established terms. They accepted these terms, and it was sealed at an altar as a binding, sacred covenant during the solemn ceremony before the altar. The Lord called representatives of the nation forward at that time. In front of all the people, Moses again recounted to the Israelites “the words” (the Ten Commandments) and all the “judgments” (ordinances), which would be the laws under which the covenant would be maintained.
Then Moses wrote “all the words of the Lord” as a binding legal document. Moses wrote everything down to prevent any misunderstanding or alteration of the words of the Book of the Covenant. This ensured there wouldn’t be a watered-down version when the law was read to future generations. It could then be referred to as the final authority in case of disputes. The general obligations and the detailed ones were confirmed through the solemn ceremony of offering sacrifices and applying the blood to the people.
An altar made of uncut stones or earth was built at the base of the mountain, and twelve stacked stone pillars were also created there. These twelve stone pillars served as a reminder that all the tribes of Israel agreed to the covenant. The altar was constructed without being shaped by human hands because it was meant to honor the Lord and symbolize God’s holiness. The twelve pillars represented the twelve tribes of Israel ratifying the covenant.
When the elders of Israel, Aaron and two of his sons, along with Joshua and Moses, arrived at that mountain, Israel had twice confirmed their desire for God's law and commandments. Although not all the people were very close to Mount Sinai, they still were obligated to follow the terms of that covenant. During this ratification ceremony, several events took place to ensure everyone understood what was happening between the nation of Israel and the Holy, Sovereign Lord, and Supreme Judge of the universe.
The altar where the burnt offerings of oxen were sacrificed symbolized that this covenant was made with God. This was not a casual religious act. A nation agreed to establish a covenant to obey and serve the Sovereign God. The burnt offering was consumed by fire, establishing the foundation of the covenant. It was God alone who had redeemed His people. All the burnt offerings were for Him and because of His deliverance to the people. The animal on the altar was accepted by God as a substitute for a sinful nation so that an approach to God could be made through the sinless substitute. The shed blood represented death for sin and a life spared because of it.
The burnt offerings were made so that God would accept the people. The peace offering signifies the dedication and fellowship redeemed people have with the Lord. Peace offerings were for thanksgiving to God and the communion they could share with Him. Half of the blood was on the altar for approaching God. The other half was sprinkled on the people as a testimony that sin had been paid for.
The precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed and purified us. His blood atones for our sins and satisfies God’s eternal justice. There is no need for any other sacrifice because His blood has bought us; we are not our own. His blood has been shed, but it holds no value to those who do not personally trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Half of the blood of the peace offering was sprinkled on the people. When someone looked at that blood spot on their body, they would realize they had entered into a serious covenant with God, based on an innocent, sinless life being sacrificed, which bound two parties together. "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission." We must never forget the significance and terms of the new covenant made with God on our behalf. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." This declaration of God's satisfaction reassures us of our salvation and acceptance in Christ.
Those representative men who went up that mountain with Moses and saw that ground like clear blue sapphire glowing where God was would have understood how holy God is. They would have glimpsed God’s glory in the evidence beneath His feet and realized how privileged they were. If the bottom of God's feet made a sky-blue sapphire pavement, then how fearful it was to be in His presence.
Although God is a Spirit and cannot be seen with natural eyes, His presence is evident in how it influences everything around Him. As we are reminded, "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." Our relationship with God begins with our need for atonement through the sacrifice of our sinless Savior. Our sanctification, which means being made holy, involves cleansing our consciences, and the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ has opened the way for us to enter into God's presence in a “new and living way”.
For our understanding, we see God through the Lord Jesus Christ. We haven't seen Him physically, but we will. When we do, we will see God. Jesus said, "He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father." "In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." It is in Him, and we are brought to God through Him. He is the "One Mediator between God and men."
When Moses and Joshua went further up the mountain, the law had already been given, and the covenant between God and Israel was confirmed. God intended for the children of Israel to see those stone tablets as clear evidence of the law they had agreed to. The covenant they agreed to involved a six-day wait; then, on the seventh day, God called Moses in such a way that he, trusting in faith, entered that cloud of God's presence. Everyone—Joshua, the elders, Aaron and his sons, and all of Israel—would be impressed with the importance of the covenant they had entered into.
The forty days spent alone with God during that time of communion and receiving the plans and purposes of the Tabernacle would have served as another reminder of fellowship with God. Joshua was on the lower part of the mountain, while the people were on the plain below. The people were already failing the test of the forty days. Forty represents the number of “testing” in this passage of scripture and other parts of the Bible. Israel failed the first forty-day test when they insisted on making the golden calf, a symbol they still remembered from their years in Egypt.
The world leaves lasting impressions on our minds if we do not "Keep our minds stayed" on the Lord. We must never treat the things of God lightly or think there are no consequences if we compromise or ignore God's truth. Covent obligations require obedience to our Lord. God saved us because He loved us. We love God because He first loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Our love for Him compels us to obey Him as the highest priority in our lives.