The Blood of the Covenant (Exodus 24:8)

2023-03-04

Right before any instruction was given concerning the tabernacle, Moses was told to come up onto the mount with Aaron, his four sons, and seventy elders of Israel. They could not come near the LORD like Moses, but unlike the rest of the nation, they were permitted to go up somewhat onto the mount.

Before they came, it is said, “And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD” (Exodus 24:4-5). Sacrifices were made, and blood was shed. Reading the book, the people once again confirmed they would do all that was commanded, which they had said a few times by this point.

What of the blood? It was sprinkled on the altar, and also on the people, saying, “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words” (Exodus 24:8).

What happened next? “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink” (Exodus 24:9-11). These people saw the LORD, perhaps as John saw Him: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald” (Revelation 4:2-3).

Blood must be shed to enter the presence of the LORD. There is also no covenant with the LORD without the shedding of blood. For Moses, Aaron, his four sons, and the seventy elders, it was the blood of animals and the people assenting to do the commandments. For John, and for us, it was the blood of Christ alone, and His successfully doing all the commandments.