Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Exodus
Book: Exodus
Chapter: 24
Overview:
Moses is called up into the mountain, The people promise
obedience.
(1-8) The
Glory of the
Lord appears.
(9-11) Moses
goes up into the mountain.
(12-18)
1-8 A solemn
Covenant was made between
God and
Israel. Very
solemn it was, typifying the
Covenant of
Grace between
God and
believers, through
Christ. As soon as
God separated to himself a
Peculiar people, he governed them
By a written
Word, as he has
done ever since.
God's covenants and commands are
So just in
themselves, and
So much for our good, that the more we think of
them, and the more plainly and fully they are set before us, the
more reason we may see to comply with them. The
Blood of the
Sacrifice was sprinkled
On the
Altar,
On the
Book, and
On the
people. Neither their persons, their moral obedience, nor
religious services, would meet with acceptance from a holy
God,
except through the shedding and sprinkling' of
Blood. Also the
blessings granted unto them were all of
Mercy; and the
Lord
would
Deal with them in kindness. Thus the sinner,
By Faith in
the
Blood of
Christ, renders willing and acceptable obedience.
9-11 The elders saw the
God of
Israel; they had some glimpse of
his
Glory, though whatever they saw, it was something of which
No image or picture could be made, yet enough to satisfy them
that
God was with them of a
Truth. Nothing is described but what
was under his feet. The sapphires are the
Pavement under his
feet; let us
Put all the wealth of this world under our feet,
and not in our hearts. Thus the believer sees in the
Face of
Jesus Christ, far clearer discoveries of the glorious
Justice
and
Holiness of
God, than ever he saw under terrifying
convictions; and through the
Saviour, holds
Communion with a
holy
God.
12-18 A
Cloud covered the
Mount six days; a token of
God's
special presence there.
Moses was sure that he who called him up
would protect him. Even those glorious attributes of
God which
are most terrible to the wicked, the saints with humble
reverence rejoice in. And through
Faith in the atoning
Sacrifice, we
Hope for greater honour than
Moses ever enjoyed
On
Earth. Now we see through a
Glass darkly, but when he shall
appear, then
Face to
Face. This
Vision of
God will continue with
equal, if not increasing brightness of joy; not for a few days
only, but through eternity.