Esodo 24

1 POI disse a Mosè: Sali al Signore, tu, ed Aaronne, e Nadab, e Abihu, e settanta degli Anziani d’Israele, e adorate da lungi.

2 Poi accostisi Mosè solo al Signore, e quegli altri non vi si accostino; e non salga il popolo con lui.

3 E Mosè venne, e raccontò al popolo tutte le parole del Signore, e tutte quelle leggi. E tutto il popolo rispose ad una voce, e disse: Noi faremo tutte le cose che il Signore ha dette.

4 Poi Mosè scrisse tutte le parole del Signore; e, levatosi la mattina, edificò sotto a quel monte un altare, e rizzò dodici pilieri, per le dodici tribù d’Israele.

5 E mandò i ministri de’ figliuoli d’Israele a offerire olocausti, e sacrificare al Signore giovenchi, per sacrificii da render grazie.

6 E Mosè prese la metà del sangue, e lo mise in bacini; e ne sparse l’altra metà sopra l’altare.

7 Poi prese il Libro del Patto, e lo lesse in presenza del popolo. E esso disse: Noi faremo tutto quello che il Signore ha detto, e ubbidiremo.

8 Allora Mosè prese quel sangue, e lo sparse sopra il popolo, e disse: Ecco il sangue del patto che il Signore ha fatto con voi, sopra tutte quelle parole.

9 Poi Mosè, ed Aaronne, e Nadab, e Abihu, e settanta degli Anziani d’Israele, salirono.

10 E videro l’Iddio d’Israele; e sotto i piedi di esso vi era come un lavorio di lastre di zaffiro, risomigliante il cielo stesso in chiarezza.

11 Ed egli non avventò la sua mano sopra gli Eletti d’infra i figliuoli d’Israele; anzi videro Iddio, e mangiarono e bevvero.

12 E il Signore disse a Mosè: Sali a me in sul monte, e fermati quivi; ed io ti darò delle tavole di pietra, cioè: la Legge, e i comandamenti che io ho scritti, per insegnarli a’ figliuoli d’Israele.

13 Mosè adunque, con Giosuè, suo ministro, si levò; e Mosè salì al monte di Dio.

14 E disse agli Anziani d’Israele: Rimanete qui, aspettandoci, finchè noi ritorniamo a voi; ecco, Aaronne ed Hur sono con voi; chiunque avrà qualche affare, vada a loro.

15 Mosè adunque salì al monte, e la nuvola coperse il monte.

16 E la gloria del Signore si posò in sul monte di Sinai, e la nuvola lo coperse per lo spazio di sei giorni; e al settimo giorno il Signore chiamò Mosè del mezzo della nuvola.

17 E l’aspetto della gloria del Signore era simile a un fuoco consumante, in su la sommità del monte, alla vista de’ figliuoli d’Israele.

18 E Mosè entrò nel mezzo della nuvola, e salì al monte, e dimorò in sul monte quaranta giorni e quaranta notti.

Esodo 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

Moses is called up into the mountain, The people promise obedience. (1-8) The glory of the Lord appears. (9-11) Moses goes up into the mountain. (12-18)

Verses 1-8 A solemn covenant was made between God and Israel. Very solemn it was, typifying the covenant of grace between God and believers, through Christ. As soon as God separated to himself a peculiar people, he governed them by a written word, as he has done ever since. God's covenants and commands are so just in themselves, and so much for our good, that the more we think of them, and the more plainly and fully they are set before us, the more reason we may see to comply with them. The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the altar, on the book, and on the people. Neither their persons, their moral obedience, nor religious services, would meet with acceptance from a holy God, except through the shedding and sprinkling' of blood. Also the blessings granted unto them were all of mercy; and the Lord would deal with them in kindness. Thus the sinner, by faith in the blood of Christ, renders willing and acceptable obedience.

Verses 9-11 The elders saw the God of Israel; they had some glimpse of his glory, though whatever they saw, it was something of which no image or picture could be made, yet enough to satisfy them that God was with them of a truth. Nothing is described but what was under his feet. The sapphires are the pavement under his feet; let us put all the wealth of this world under our feet, and not in our hearts. Thus the believer sees in the face of Jesus Christ, far clearer discoveries of the glorious justice and holiness of God, than ever he saw under terrifying convictions; and through the Saviour, holds communion with a holy God.

Verses 12-18 A cloud covered the mount six days; a token of God's special presence there. Moses was sure that he who called him up would protect him. Even those glorious attributes of God which are most terrible to the wicked, the saints with humble reverence rejoice in. And through faith in the atoning Sacrifice, we hope for greater honour than Moses ever enjoyed on earth. Now we see through a glass darkly, but when he shall appear, then face to face. This vision of God will continue with equal, if not increasing brightness of joy; not for a few days only, but through eternity.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 24

In this chapter we have an account that Moses was ordered to come up to the Lord alone, Ex 24:1,2, but that before he did go up, he related to the people all the above laws delivered to him, which they promised obedience to, and so a covenant was made between God and the people by sacrifice, and by the sprinkling of blood, Ex 24:3-8, upon which he and Aaron, and his two sons and seventy elders of Israel, went up part of the mountain, and had a vision of God, Ex 24:9-11, when Moses with Joshua was called, and went up higher, until at length he entered into the cloud where the Lord was, and continued forty days and forty nights, Ex 24:12-18.