(1) Overview
(NET) The commandments were apparently proclaimed by God first and then proclaimed to the people by Moses. Now that they have been formally agreed on and ratified, they will be written by God on stone for a perpetual covenant.
The “glory of Yahweh”v.15 was a display visible at a distance, clearly in view of the Israelites. To them it was like a consuming fire in the midst of the cloud that covered the mountain v.17. That fire indicated that Yahweh wished to accept their sacrifice, as if it were a pleasant aroma to him, as Leviticus would say...The vision of the glory of Yahweh confirmed the authority of the revelation of the Law given to Israel.
This chapter is the climax of God’s bringing people into covenant with himself, the completion of his revelation to them, a completion that is authenticated with the miraculous. It ends with the mediator going up in the clouds to be with God, and the people down below eagerly awaiting his return v.18.
The message of the whole chapter could be worded this way: Those whom God sanctifies by the blood of the covenant and instructs by the book of the covenant may enjoy fellowship with him and anticipate a far more glorious fellowship.
So too in the NT the commandments and teachings of Jesus are confirmed by his miraculous deeds and by his glorious manifestation on the Mount of the Transfiguration, where a few who represented the disciples would see his glory and be able to teach others. The people of the new covenant have been brought into fellowship with God through the blood of the covenant; they wait eagerly for his return from heaven in the clouds.
(2) 24:11 But he did not lay a hand on the leaders of the Israelites, so they saw God, and they ate and they drank.
(NET) The fact that God did not lay a hand on them—to kill them—shows that they saw something that they never expected to see and live.
(NET) [they ate and drink]=This is the covenant meal, the peace offering, that they are eating there on the mountain.
Reflection: That was true that Moses was given a supreme position among all the Israelites. However, that was also true that God also allowed the leaders to come close to Him. The fact that they could only tell the color of the place God stood probably was because (NET) "they saw the divine Glory, not directly, but as they looked up from below, through what appeared to be a transparent blue sapphire pavement." Even they were in fear, God allowed them to be alive and have peace with Him.
Do we have the proper fear of God? Do we see God as God? We respect some people in our lives like our boss/supervisor, or the teacher/superintendent of your kids. Do we respect God more than we respect these people? Will you say no to these people if what they tell you to do has conflict with what God tells you to do e.g. they want you or your kids to attend a meeting on Sunday?
Do you thank God that He had not destroyed us because of our sin?
Do you thank Jesus that we can before God every day and every moment?
Let us also enjoy our relationship with God and the peace we have with Him. We can spend time praying, talking to God, drawing close to God. In our prayer, we can have quiet time with God. We stop talking and just enjoy the moment with God.
Audrey
Comments