87_The covenant confirmed

Ex 24: 1-8 Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. 2 Moses alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules.[a] And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

In a small village nestled in the mountains, a father once promised his son that he would build him a house by the river—a place where the boy could grow up surrounded by beauty and peace. The father worked tirelessly for two years, cutting wood, shaping stones, and building the home piece by piece. When it was finally complete, he brought his son to the house and said, “This is my covenant with you. I built this house so you can live here, grow, and enjoy all I’ve prepared for you. All I ask is that you cherish it and follow the ways I’ve taught you.”

The son, overwhelmed with gratitude, promised his father he would. But over the years, the boy grew restless. He forgot his father’s sacrifice and sought his own path, neglecting the home that had been lovingly built for him. This story echoes the covenant God made with Israel—a covenant born out of love and sacrifice, calling His people into a life of blessing and obedience.

In Exodus 24, we find the nation of Israel at a pivotal moment in their journey. They have been encamped at the base of Mount Sinai, where God revealed His laws and His plans for them. This chapter marks the sealing of the covenant that was given through Moses, a sacred agreement confirming Israel as God’s chosen people. It is not just a legal document; it is a divine relationship, binding the Creator to His creation in love and purpose.

Centuries before this moment, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars, a land of their own, and the privilege of being a blessing to all nations. That promise, sealed in Genesis 15, was God’s unilateral commitment to His people. Now, in Exodus 24, we see the next step in that unfolding plan. The covenant is communicated, confirmed, and celebrated, revealing God’s heart and His desire for relationship with His people.

The first step in this covenant process was communication. Moses, as God’s chosen messenger, relayed the terms of the covenant to the people. He spoke the words of the Lord—the Ten Commandments and the laws written in the “Book of the Covenant.” These weren’t arbitrary rules but a reflection of God’s character and His vision for a holy, set-apart nation. The people responded in unity, declaring, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Their response showed their willingness to commit, though history would later reveal their struggle to remain faithful.

The second step was dedication through blood. This was a solemn and sacred bond. Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and surrounded it with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Young men offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, symbolizing Israel’s need for cleansing and consecration.

The blood of the sacrifices played a crucial role in this ceremony. Half of the blood was poured against the altar, and half sprinkled on the people. Thus both God and his people were bound by the covenant. The blood reminded the people that without death, they could not approach God. The old covenant was sealed by the blood of the sacrificed animals. No testament could be dedicated unless the testator was dead. As Hebrews 9:22 later explains, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” This looks forward to the death of Jesus Christ, and to the new covenant that came into effect through his blood.

The final step was celebration. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders ascended the mountain and experienced something extraordinary. They saw a vision of God—not in His full glory, but a glimpse described as “a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.” Despite being in the presence of the holy God, they were not harmed. Instead, they ate and drank in His presence, a powerful symbol of fellowship and peace.

This covenant at Mount Sinai points us to a greater covenant to come. Centuries later, in an upper room in Jerusalem, Jesus gathered His disciples for a meal. Taking the cup, He said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). Unlike the former Covenant, which relied on the blood of animals to achieve an external cleansing, the new covenant was sealed with the blood of Christ, which cleanses our conscience from guilt and sin. Where the law said, “Do this and live,” our Lord declared, “Believe and live.” His sacrifice on the cross opened the way for all people to be reconciled to God.

The covenant meal we now share as believers, the Lord’s Supper, is a living reminder of this new covenant. It calls us to examine our hearts, to confess our part in Christ, both in death and in new life, and to live in obedience and love. As Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 11, the Lord’s table is not to be taken lightly. It is a proclamation of Christ’s death until He comes again, a reminder of His grace, and a call to live as those dead with him to sin, but alive in him to God by faith, working out God’s will in our relationships and our daily lives.

The covenant God made with Israel at Sinai and the new covenant established by Christ both remind us of the depth of God’s love and His desire for relationship with us. They also call us to respond—not just with words, but with lives of faith, love, and obedience. The blood of the covenant enabled them to worship God in his house without fear. But the blood of Christ cleanses us inwardly, drawing us into a deep relationship with God as our God and Father, through Christ Jesus his Son.

Today, the way to God is open to all. Through repentance towards God, turning away from our sinful rebellion and dislike of submission to God’s purposes and thoughts, and through faith in Christ, we come into this covenant relationship by grace. Here we experience the fullness of life He offers.

Let us examine our own relationship with God. Let us rely fully on his unshakable promises. Let us honor Him with our obedience and our love. Let us live in the joy and security of forgiveness, adoption as children, and heirs of his eternal kingdom. Let us proclaim the riches of the covenant through our words and our actions. Let our lives demonstrate the beauty of a life lived in fellowship with God. God bless.