CHAPTER XXIV _Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders, are_ _commanded to go to the mount to meet the Lord_, 1. _Moses alone to come near to the Divine presence_, 2. _He informs the people, and they promise obedience_, 3. _He writes the words of the Lord, erects an altar at the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:2. _MOSES ALONE SHALL COME NEAR_] The people stood at the foot of the mountain. Aaron and his two sons and the seventy elders went up, probably about half way, and Moses alone went to the summit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:3. _MOSES - TOLD THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THE LORD_] That is, the _ten commandments_, and the various _laws_ and _ordinances_ mentioned from the beginning of the Exodus 20:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:4. _MOSES WROTE ALL THE WORDS OF THE LORD_] After the people had promised obedience, (Exodus 24:3), and so entered into the bonds of the covenant, "it was necessary," says Calmet, "to draw up an _act_ by which the memory of these transactions might be preserved, and confirm the coven... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:5. _HE SENT YOUNG MEN_] Stout, able, reputable young men, chosen out of the different tribes, for the purpose of killing, flaying, and offering the oxen mentioned here. _BURNT-OFFERINGS_] They generally consisted of sheep and goats, Leviticus 1:10. These were wholly consumed by fire... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:7. _THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT_] The writing containing the laws mentioned in the three preceding chapters. As this writing contained the agreement made between God and them, it was called the _book of the covenant_; but as no covenant was considered to be ratified and _binding_ till a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:10. _THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL_] The seventy elders, who were representatives of the whole congregation, were chosen to witness the manifestation of God, that they might be satisfied of the truth of the revelation which he had made of _himself_ and of his _will_; and on this occasio... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:11. _UPON THE NOBLES OF - ISRAEL HE LAID NOT HIS HAND_] This laying on of the hand has been variously explained. 1. He did not conceal himself from the nobles of Israel by covering them with his hand, as he did Moses, Exodus 33:22. 2. He did not endue any of the nobles, i.e., the _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:12. _COME UP TO ME INTO THE MOUNT, AND BE THERE_] We may suppose Moses to have been, with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders, about midway up the mount; for it plainly appears that there were several _stations_ on it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:13. _MOSES ROSE UP_] In Exodus 24:16 it is said that _the glory of the Lord abode on the mount, and the cloud covered_ _it_. The glory was probably above the cloud, and it was to the cloud that Moses and his servant Joshua ascended at this time, leaving Aaron and the elders below. A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:14. _TARRY YE HERE FOR US_] Probably Moses did not know that he was to continue so long on the mount, nor is it likely that the elders tarried the whole forty days where they were: they doubtless, after waiting some considerable time, returned to the camp; and their return is suppose... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:16. _AND THE SEVENTH DAY HE CALLED_] It is very likely that Moses went up into the mount on the _first_ day of the week; and having with Joshua remained in the _region of the cloud_ during _six_ _days_, on the _seventh_, which was the Sabbath, God spake to him, and delivered successi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:17. _THE GLORY OF THE LORD_ WAS _LIKE DEVOURING FIRE_] This appearance was well calculated to inspire the people with the deepest reverence and godly rear; and this is the use the apostle makes or it, Hebrews 12:28, where he evidently refers to this place, saying, _Let us have grace... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 24:18. _FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS._] During the whole of this time he neither ate bread nor drank water; see Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9. Both his body and soul were so sustained by the invigorating presence of God, that he needed no earthly support, and this may be the simple reaso... [ Continue Reading ]