A remarkable scene is played out in the middle of Exodus 24. The newly freed people of Israel are camping at the base of Mount Sinai. God summons Moses up the mountain where God gives Moses the Commandments.

Chapter 24 begins with God inviting Moses to bring others up the mountain with him.

  • Moses ascends the mountain as the mediator of the covenant God makes with God’s people.
  • Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu ascend the mountain as leaders of the future priesthood.
  • Seventy ruling elders of Israel also ascend the mountain.

The number “7” in the Bible is a symbol of wholeness or completeness, so the 70 elders point to the idea of this covenant being for all the people.

Part of what makes this scene exceptional is what has happened in Exodus 19. God makes strict boundaries around the mountain and warns the people, “Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.” (Exodus 19:12)

After hearing that, I would think there would be a little trepidation when God, in Chapter 24, now extends the invitation to come up the mountain. Nonetheless, those invited go, and are treated with a jaw-dropping view.

“There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!” (Exodus 24:10-11)

I’m not sure how many times I’ve read through the Bible, but I don’t remember this particular scene. And as I read through it, my mind immediately jumped ahead to the new covenant in Jesus’ blood; a covenant that comes with an invitation.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16

Questions for reflection:

  1. Does God feel like a safe place to you? Why or why not?
  2. Exodus 33:20 says no one can see God and live and John 1:18 says no one has seen God, but Exodus 24:10 tells us Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders see God. Do you see this passage as an example of the Bible contradicting itself? Why or why not?