The People Agree to Obey God
November 2, 2025
Commentary
This chapter is one of the most fascinating passages of Israel’s history recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures. At Mount Sinai, in Exodus 24, God confirmed His covenant with His people. This event—often called “the ratification of the Mosaic Covenant” is the key to understanding the rest of the book of Exodus. It shows how Israel became God’s chosen nation through obedience, sacrifice, and worship.
First, in verses 1-2, we meet the key people (vv. 1–2). God told Moses to come up the mountain with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the 70 elders of Is-rael. They were all told to worship from a distance. Only Moses was invited to come closer, showing his unique role as the mediator between God and His people.
Next, in verses 3-8, God speaks to the people, not directly, but through Moses. And they respond. Moses shared all the LORD’s words, and they answered, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” To seal the covenant, Moses built an altar, offered burnt offerings, and sprinkled blood on the altar and the people. This symbolized life and cleansing, and the cost of a relationship with a holy God.
Then the leaders came closer to the Lord (vv. 9–11). They saw a vision of His glory—something like a pavement of brilliant sapphire beneath His feet. Though they did not see God’s full presence, they experienced a glimpse of His majesty and mercy. Amazingly, they ate and drank in His presence, a sign of fellowship and peace.
This moment at Sinai revealed both God’s holiness and His desire for relationship. The people promised to obey, and God confirmed His covenant through sacrifice and grace.
Application
When I see how Israel agreed to obey God’s covenant, do I take my own commitment to Him seriously? Am I keeping the promises I’ve made to follow His Word? How can I draw nearer to God each day instead of worshiping from a distance? What steps will help me stay faithful this week?
Exodus 24:1–11 (NET)
1 But to Moses the Lord said, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from a distance. 2 Moses alone may come near the Lord, but the others must not come near, nor may the people go up with him.”
3 Moses came and told the people all the Lord’s words and all the decisions. All the people answered together, “We are willing to do all the words that the Lord has said,” 4 and Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Early in the morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and arranged twelve standing stones —according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 He sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls for peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and half of the blood he splashed on the altar. 7 He took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people, and they said, “We are willing to do and obey all that the Lord has spoken.” 8 So Moses took the blood and splashed it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear like the sky itself. 11 But he did not lay a hand on the leaders of the Israelites, so they saw God, and they ate and they drank.