Exodus-Chapter-24
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of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from
our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Exodus Chapter 24 serves as the profound
climax of the Sinai wilderness experience, moving from the
proclamation of laws to the formal ratification of the covenant between the
Almighty and the people of
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Below are the Exodus
Chapter 24, verses 1 to 18: Whilst below the verses are the relevant Explanation’s. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version
of the Torah).
1. “And unto Moses He
said: ‘Come up unto יְהוָה
- the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab,
and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of
Explanation Verse 1, Moses is instructed to ascend the mountain along with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders.
This group represents the leadership and the collective witness of
2. and Moses alone
shall come near unto יְהוָה
- the LORD; but they shall not come near; neither
shall the people go up with him’.
Explanation Verse 2, A clear distinction is made regarding the
level of intimacy with the Divine. While the leaders accompany him partway,
Moses alone is granted the privilege to draw near to the immediate presence of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God).
3. And Moses came and told the people all the
words of יְהוָה
- the LORD, and all the ordinances; and all the
people answered with one voice, and said: ‘All the words which יְהוָה - the LORD hath spoken will we do’.
Explanation Verse 3, Moses acts as the intermediary, conveying both the spoken words
and the written ordinances to the people. The nation responds with a singular,
unanimous voice, declaring their intent to perform every word commanded by יְהוָה - the LORD.
4. And Moses wrote all the words of יְהוָה - the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded
an altar under the mount, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of
Explanation Verse 4, The oral commitment is formalised as
Moses writes the words down. He builds an altar at the base of the mountain and
erects twelve pillars, ensuring that each tribe is physically and symbolically
represented in the covenantal space.
5. And he sent the young men of the children of
Explanation Verse 5, Young men are designated to perform the ritual tasks of offering
burnt-offerings and sacrificing peace-offerings of oxen. These offerings serve
as a tangible expression of the people’s devotion and desire for harmony with
the Creator.
6. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it
in basins; and half of the blood he dashed against the altar.
Explanation Verse 6, Moses divides the sacrificial blood into two parts. Half is placed
in basins for the people’s side of the agreement, and half is dashed against
the altar, representing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s side of the
covenant.
7. And he took the book of the covenant, and
read in the hearing of the people; and they said: ‘All that יְהוָה - the LORD hath spoken
will we do, and obey’.
Explanation Verse 7, The “book of the covenant” is read aloud
to the nation. The people respond with the famous declaration, “All that יְהוָה - the LORD hath spoken will we do, and obey”,
signifying a commitment that precedes and informs their understanding.
8. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it
on the people, and said: ‘Behold the blood of the covenant, which יְהוָה - the LORD hath made with
you in agreement with all these words’.
Explanation Verse 8, Moses sprinkles the remaining blood upon the people. This act
signifies that the covenant is no longer just words, but a binding agreement
sealed in life-force, connecting the people to the Divine instructions.
9. Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of
the elders of
Explanation Verse 9, the designated group, Moses, Aaron, his sons, and the seventy
elders, ascends the mountain as planned to witness the next stage of the
revelation.
10. and they saw the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Israel;
and there was under His feet the like of a paved work of sapphire stone, and
the like of the very heaven for clearness.
Explanation Verse 10, the leaders are granted a restricted yet sublime vision of the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Israel. They
describe the ground beneath the Divine presence as a paved work of bright
sapphire stone, as clear and pure as the very sky.
11. And upon the nobles of the children of
Israel He laid not His hand; and they beheld אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and did eat
and drink.
Explanation Verse 11, despite their proximity to the Divine glory, the leaders are
protected and not “laid hand upon”. They participate in a covenantal meal, eating
and drinking in the presence of the Vision, signifying peace and acceptance.
12. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto
Moses: ‘Come up to Me into the mount and be there; and
I will give thee the tables of stone, and the law and the commandment, which I
have written, that thou mayest teach them’.
Explanation Verse 12, Moses is called higher still to receive the physical evidence of
the law. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim promises to give
him the stone tablets containing the law and the commandment, which were
written by the Divine hand for the instruction of
13. And Moses rose up, and Joshua his minister;
and Moses went up into the mount of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Explanation Verse 13, Moses prepares to ascend further, accompanied by his faithful
servant Joshua. As they move toward the higher elevations of the mount of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, the rest of the
leadership remains behind.
14. And unto the elders he said: ‘Tarry ye here
for us, until we come back unto you; and, behold, Aaron and Hur
are with you; whosoever hath a cause, let him come near unto them’.
Explanation Verse 14, Moses provides administrative instructions to the elders, telling
them to wait for his return. He designates Aaron and Hur
as the temporary authorities to settle any legal disputes that might arise
during his absence.
15. And Moses went up into the mount, and the
cloud covered the mount.
Explanation Verse 15, As Moses reaches the higher point, a
thick cloud covers the mountain, acting as a veil between the mundane world and
the intense presence of the Divine.
16. And the glory of יְהוָה - the LORD abode upon
Explanation Verse 16, The Glory of יְהוָה - the LORD settles upon
17. And the appearance of the Glory of יְהוָה - the LORD was like
devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of
Explanation Verse 17, To the Israelites watching from the camp below, the appearance of
the Divine glory is terrifying and awe-inspiring, resembling a “devouring fire”
atop the mountain.
18. And Moses entered into the midst of the
cloud, and went up into the mount; and Moses was in the mount forty days and
forty nights”.
Explanation Verse 18, Moses enters the heart of the cloud and ascends to the summit. He remains there for forty days and forty nights, a period of complete immersion in the Divine will, transcending physical needs to receive the full Torah.
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My Closing Message:
Chapter 24 leaves us at a breathtaking
threshold. It demonstrates that the relationship between the Creator and
By the end of these verses, Moses has disappeared into the cloud, reminding us that true leadership requires a total ascent into holiness to bring down the light of instruction to the world below. The covenant is now sealed; the journey of living it begins.
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