Exodus 24
Leviticus 24 contains regulations for the sanctuary lamps, the bread of the Presence, the case of blasphemy against the LORD’s name, and principles of proportional justice. The chapter combines sanctuary worship with public justice, showing that God’s holiness governs both worship and community life.
1verseHe said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship from a distance.
2verseMoses alone shall come near to the LORD, but they shall not come near. The people shall not go up with him.”
3verseMoses came and told the people all the LORD’s words, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, “All the words which the LORD has spoken will we do.”
4verseMoses wrote all the LORD’s words, then rose up early in the morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
5verseHe sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of cattle to the LORD.
6verseMoses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
7verseHe took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “We will do all that the LORD has said, and be obedient.”
8verseMoses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Look, this is the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.”
9verseThen Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up.
10verseThey saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness.
11verseHe didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank.
12verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.”
13verseMoses rose up with Joshua, his servant, and Moses went up onto God’s Mountain.
14verseHe said to the elders, “Wait here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever is involved in a dispute can go to them.”
15verseMoses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.
16verseThe LORD’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud.
17verseThe appearance of the LORD’s glory was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18verseMoses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Regulations for the Sanctuary Lamp (Verses 1–4)
God commands that the lamps be tended continually with pure olive oil. Aaron and his descendants are responsible for keeping them in order before the LORD. The ongoing light symbolizes continuing worship and the enduring presence of God among His people.
Regulations for the Bread of the Presence (Verses 5–9)
Every Sabbath, twelve loaves are arranged before the LORD on the pure table. They are later eaten by the priests in a holy place. The bread represents Israel’s tribes before God and points to His continuing provision and covenant fellowship.
The Case of Blasphemy and Judgment (Verses 10–23)
A man blasphemes the name of the LORD, and God commands that he be put to death. The passage then states principles of proportional justice, including life for life, eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. The purpose is not personal revenge, but just and measured judgment within the covenant community.
Points to Ponder
- Just as the sanctuary lamp is kept burning, consider whether the light of my relationship with God is being tended faithfully.
- Reflect on the weight of words, especially words spoken about God and about other people.
Apply to Yourself
- Live each day remembering God’s presence and renewing the inner “lamp” of faith.
- Practice holiness, reverence, and responsibility in speech, conduct, and relationships.
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