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Ex 24:1-18.

DELIVERY OF THE LAW AND COVENANT.

3, 4. Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord--The rehearsal of the foregoing laws and the ten commandments, together with the promises of special blessings in the event of their obedience, having drawn forth from the people a unanimous declaration of their consent, it was forthwith recorded as the conditions of the national covenant. The next day preparations were made for having it (the covenant) solemnly ratified, by building an altar and twelve pillars; the altar representing God, and the pillars the tribes of Israel--the two parties in this solemn compact--while Moses acted as typical mediator.

5. young men--priests

(Ex 19:22),

probably the oldest sons of particular families, who acted under the direction of Moses.

oxen--Other animals, though not mentioned, were offered in sacrifice

(Heb 9:18-20).

6. Moses took half of the blood . . . sprinkled--Preliminary to this was the public reading of the law and the renewed acceptance of the terms by the people; then the sprinkling of the blood was the sign of solemn ratification--half on each party in the transaction.

8. Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people--probably on the twelve pillars, as representing the people (also the book,

Heb 9:19),

and the act was accompanied by a public proclamation of its import. It was setting their seal to the covenant (compare

1Co 11:25).

It must have been a deeply impressive, as well as instructive scene, for it taught the Israelites that the covenant was made with them only through the sprinkling of blood--that the divine acceptance of themselves and services, was only by virtue of an atoning sacrifice, and that even the blessings of the national covenant were promised and secured to them only through grace. The ceremonial, however, had a further and higher significance, as is shown by the apostle (see

as above).

9. Then went up Moses, and Aaron--in obedience to a command given

(Ex 24:1, 2;

also

Ex 19:24),

previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described.

Nadab, and Abihu--the two oldest sons of Aaron

[Ex 6:23].

seventy of the elders--a select number; what was the principle of selection is not said; but they were the chief representatives, the most conspicuous for official rank and station, as well as for their probity and weight of character in their respective tribes.

10. And they saw the God of Israel--That there was no visible form or representation of the divine nature, we have expressly intimated

(De 4:15).

But a symbol or emblem of His glory was distinctly, and at a distance, displayed before those chosen witnesses. Many think, however, that in this private scene was discovered, amid the luminous blaze, the faint adumbrated form of the humanity of Christ

(Eze 1:26; compare

Ga 3:24).

sapphire--one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems--of a sky-blue or light azure color and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God (see

Eze 1:26; 10:1).

11. upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand--The "nobles," that is, the elders, after the sprinkling of the blood, were not inspired with terror in presence of the calm, benign, radiant symbol of the divine majesty; so different from the terrific exhibitions at the giving of the law. The report of so many competent witnesses would tend to confirm the people's faith in the divine mission of Moses.

eat and drink--feasted on the peace offering--on the remnants of the late sacrifices and libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing, intimating God's dwelling with men.