God’s love at the expense of His holiness

Covenant Relationship

Covenants are not only contracts but commitments made between the parties involved and marked by solemn oaths and sacrifices. The covenant God makes with Israel in Exodus 24 happens after Israel is freed from slavery in Egypt. God enters the covenant by establishing Israel as His covenant partners who promise to obey His laws. Israel commits to the covenant by agreeing to obey God’s commands.

Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, all that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient (Exodus 24:7).

God’s covenant with Israel can be understood using the ancient suzerainty-vassal treaties in which a supreme ruler establishes conditions for his subjects. Unlike pagan rulers, however, God makes this covenant in grace, having redeemed His people before establishing His law. God later promises the new covenant, which will be written on their minds and hearts [Jeremiah 31:31–34].

 

Mosaic Law engraved the law in stone while the New Covenant engraves God’s law in the heart of humanity by the work of the Holy Spirit. In Exodus 24, we have the covenant system that in itself points to Jesus Christ. Today, believers are under covenant with God through Christ. As such, Christianity is more than laws but rather a relationship.

 

Mediation

There is great emphasis in Exodus chapter 24 on the role of the mediator between holy God and sinful mankind. God is approached only by Moses and not the people who were at a distance while the elders came near. The reason is that sin makes separation between mankind and God. Humans cannot approach God because He is holy.

And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him (Exodus 24:2).

The function of Moses was that of mediator who represented God among the people by bringing the revelation from God and revealing it to mankind. This means that the work of a mediator involves representing God to man and representing mankind to God. There is One God and One Mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus [1 Timothy 2:5].

 Whereas Moses brought forth the law, spoke the words of God, and made sacrifices, Jesus: fulfills the law, displays the character of His Father in its fullness, and becomes the offering of Himself for sacrifice. No mere mortal can span the distance between sinful man and God Almighty on their own merit.

 Blood Atonement

One of the key themes presented in Exodus chapter 24 is atonement through blood. Blood signifies life. Life is offered as an offering to serve as the basis for atonement. In the blood offering, the fact that there should be complete devotion and sacrificial cleansing when entering into covenant was demonstrated. One-half of the blood was sprinkled on: the altar (God's side), and one-half on: the people (Israel's side).

And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words (Exodus 24:8).

Sin results in death, which means that the wages of sin is death. Since the life of the flesh is in the blood and blood is what atones [Leviticus 17:11], we now understand the significance of sacrifice. Sin results in death; Blood is substituted life; and Sacrifice makes atonement possible.

 

Without shedding of blood there is no remission [Hebrews 9:22]. On the Jesus’ blood was for the new covenant [Matthew 26:28]. Animal blood in Exodus 24 temporarily covered sin. Christ’s blood permanently removes sin. In the Old Covenant: animal sacrifices repeatedly temporary covering sins. In the New Covenant: Christ sacrificed once, eternal redemption. Salvation is costly. Forgiveness is free to believers, but it was purchased by Christ’s blood.

 Fellowship with God

The issue of covenant includes both law and sacrifice, and then fellowship ensues. Communion comes after sacrifice. For the ancients, sharing a meal implied the following: peace, acceptance, friendship, and covenant relationship. What is important about the act of eating is who they ate with: in God’s presence.

But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not [c]lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank (Exodus 24:11).

The significance of the covenant meal lies in its implications for the restoration of God’s covenant relationship with His people. It reveals God’s ultimate desire: freedom from slavery and fellowship with Himself. God “prepares a table before” us “before our enemies” refers to God’s special favor towards us [Psalm 23:5]. The ultimate favor is God calling us to the marriage supper of the Lamb [Revelation 19:9]. The meal in Exodus hints at future divine fellowship. Here there is a sequence: Sinai meal, Lord’s Supper, and Marriage Supper of the Lamb. All indicate greater intimacy with God. Christianity is a relational faith. Salvation includes not only deliverance from condemnation but also communion with God.

 Divine Holiness

Holiness is said to be fire, glory, light, and heavenly beauty, which expose the character of holiness. Holiness is defined by the Hebrew word qadosh to mean: set apart, utter purity, moral perfection, and transcendence. Sinai depicts God as approachable and frightening, loving but infinitely holy. Fire represents: purity, judgment, power, and presence of God. The Lord is a consuming fire [Deuteronomy 4:24]. The New Testament echoes the same statement [Hebrews 12:29]. God does not differ in terms of holiness between the Old and New Testaments.

The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel (Exodus 24:17).

God who spoke at Sinai, is the same who appears to mankind through Christ [Isaiah 6:1–5]. Isaiah beholds the holiness of God and says: “Woe is me, for I am undone!” This is how man normally reacts to holiness, being humble before the greatness of the Almighty. Worship in modern times tends to portray God’s love at the expense of His holiness. The book of Exodus 24 brings back balance: God is near, yet holy; God loves, yet majestic; and God invites worship, yet must be honored.

 Divine Glory (Kabod)

Another major concept is glory. The Hebrew word kabod literally means weight or heaviness.

The glory of God can be described as: the outward manifestation of His presence; His power and majesty, which are revealed in glory.

Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud (Exodus 24:16).

Where glory appears, people recognize His overwhelming presence. Glory filled the tent of meeting [Exodus 40:34-35]. “We have seen His glory…” [John 1:14]. The glory experienced at Sinai points believers to Christ. The glory seen in the Old Testament is: cloud and fire. Glory in the New Testament: Glory of Christ. Jesus is the greatest display of the glory of God. The glory of man should never come before that of God. Do all things to the glory of God [1 Corinthians 10:31].

 

Preparation through Waiting

Moses waits for six days to be summoned to enter the cloud. It reveals how important it is to prepare and wait in the presence of God.

So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18).

There are usually long periods of preparation prior to any major assignment from God. 40 represents: Testing, purification, preparation, and transition. (The flood of Noah took 40 days, Israel was in the desert for 40 years, Elijah spent 40 days, and so did Jesus’ temptation). “Wait on the Lord” [Psalm 27:14]. Waiting is not idleness; it is spirituality. Christians tend to expect immediate results in their lives. However, most often, maturity comes through waiting periods.