And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORDThe act of writing signifies the importance and permanence of God's words. In Hebrew, the word for "wrote" is "כָּתַב" (katav), which implies a deliberate and careful recording. This action by Moses underscores the sacredness of the covenant and the necessity of preserving divine instructions for future generations. It reflects the early practice of documenting God's revelations, which would later form the foundation of the Torah. The phrase emphasizes the role of Moses as a mediator and scribe, faithfully transmitting God's commandments to the people. He got up early the next morning
This phrase highlights Moses' eagerness and dedication to fulfilling God's commands. Rising early is often associated with diligence and a heart committed to obedience. In the Hebrew context, early rising is a sign of readiness and zeal for the tasks God has set before him. It reflects a disciplined spiritual life, where Moses prioritizes God's work above all else, setting an example for the Israelites and for believers today. and built an altar at the base of the mountain
The construction of an altar is a significant act of worship and consecration. In ancient times, altars were central to religious life, serving as places where sacrifices were offered to God. The Hebrew word for altar, "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach), is derived from a root meaning "to sacrifice." Building the altar at the mountain's base signifies the establishment of a sacred space where heaven and earth meet, symbolizing God's presence among His people. It is a physical manifestation of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. along with twelve pillars
The twelve pillars represent the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying unity and collective identity. In Hebrew, the word for pillar is "מַצֵּבָה" (matzevah), which can also mean a standing stone or monument. These pillars serve as a tangible reminder of the covenant and the shared responsibility of the tribes to uphold God's laws. They symbolize the nation's foundation on divine promises and the communal aspect of their faith journey. for the twelve tribes of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity and comprehensive nature of God's covenant. Each tribe is individually recognized, highlighting the personal and communal aspects of the relationship with God. The number twelve is significant in biblical numerology, often representing completeness and divine order. By acknowledging each tribe, the text underscores the unity and diversity within the nation, reminding believers of the importance of community and shared faith in their walk with God. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses acts as the mediator between God and the Israelites. He is responsible for writing down God's words and leading the people in covenantal worship. 2. The LORDThe divine being who communicates with Moses, providing the laws and commandments that Moses records. 3. The MountainRefers to Mount Sinai, a significant location where God reveals Himself and establishes His covenant with Israel. 4. The AltarConstructed by Moses as a place of worship and sacrifice, symbolizing the people's commitment to the covenant with God. 5. Twelve PillarsRepresent the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the unity and collective participation of the entire nation in the covenant. Teaching Points The Importance of ScriptureMoses' act of writing down God's words underscores the importance of Scripture as a foundation for faith and practice. Believers are encouraged to engage deeply with the Bible, recognizing it as the authoritative word of God. Symbolism of the Altar and PillarsThe altar and twelve pillars serve as powerful symbols of worship and community. Christians are called to build their lives on the foundation of Christ and to live in unity with fellow believers. Covenant CommitmentJust as the Israelites were called to commit to God's covenant, Christians are invited to enter into a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, marked by obedience and faithfulness. Early Rising for WorshipMoses rose early to fulfill God's commands, illustrating the priority of worship and obedience. Believers are encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God, dedicating time and effort to spiritual disciplines. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' role as a mediator in this passage foreshadow the role of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? 2. What significance do the twelve pillars hold for the Israelites, and how can this symbolism be applied to the unity of the Church today? 3. In what ways can we, like Moses, prioritize God's word in our daily lives? 4. How does the construction of the altar at the base of the mountain reflect the Israelites' relationship with God, and what can we learn from this about our own worship practices? 5. How do the events in Exodus 24:4 connect to the broader account of God's covenant with His people throughout the Bible? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 27:1-8This passage also involves the writing of God's laws and the construction of an altar, emphasizing the importance of remembering and adhering to God's commandments. Joshua 4:1-9The setting up of twelve stones as a memorial by the Jordan River parallels the twelve pillars, both serving as physical reminders of God's faithfulness and the people's covenantal obligations. Hebrews 9:18-22Discusses the necessity of blood in establishing a covenant, which is relevant to the sacrificial context of the altar Moses built. People Aaron, Abihu, Hur, Israelites, Joshua, Moses, NadabPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Altar, Builded, Buildeth, Built, Early, Foot, Got, Hill, Morning, Mount, Mountain, Pillars, Representing, Riseth, Rose, Standing, Stone, Tribes, Twelve, Writeth, Writing, WroteDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 24:4 1654 numbers, 11-99
5103 Moses, significance
5240 building
5443 pillars
7302 altar Exodus 24:1-8 5467 promises, divine Exodus 24:3-4 4366 stones Exodus 24:3-8 1443 revelation, OT
7135 Israel, people of God Exodus 24:4-5 4615 bull Exodus 24:4-6 7364 fellowship offering Exodus 24:4-8 1346 covenants, nature of
7316 blood, OT sacrifices Exodus 24:4-18 4269 Sinai, Mount Library Sin and Forgiveness
'... Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty....'--EXODUS xxiv. 7. The former chapter tells us of the majesty of the divine revelation as it was made to Moses on 'the mount of God.' Let us notice that, whatever was the visible pomp of the external Theophany to the senses, the true revelation lay in the proclamation of the 'Name'; the revelation to the conscience and the heart; and such a revelation had never before fallen on mortal ears. It is remarkable …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'The Love of Thine Espousals'
'And He said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. 2. And Moses alone shall come near the Lord; but they shall not come nigh, neither shall the people go up with him. 3. And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do. 4. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Blood of the Covenant
"Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you."--EX. xxiv. 8; HEB. ix. 20. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood."--1 COR. xi. 25; MATT. xxvi. 28. "The blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified."--HEB. x. 29. "The blood of the everlasting covenant."--HEB. xiii.21. THE blood is one of the strangest, the deepest, the mightiest, and the most heavenly of the thoughts of God. It lies at the very root of both Covenants, but specially of the New Covenant. The difference …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The Blood of the Testament
BLOOD IS ALWAYS a terrible thing. It makes a sensitive mind shudder even to pronounce the word; but, to look upon the thing itself causes a thrill of horror. Although by familiarity men shake this off, for the seeing of the eye and the hearing of the ear can harden the heart, the instinct of a little child may teach you what is natural to us in referer to blood. How it will worry if its finger bleeds ever so little, shocked as the sight, actually there be no smart. I envy not the man whose pity would …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 58: 1912 The Blood of Sprinkling
Our apostle next tells us what we are come to. I suppose he speaks of all the saints after the death and resurrection of our Lord and the descent of the Holy Ghost. He refers to the whole church, in the midst of which the Holy Spirit now dwells. We are come to a more joyous sight than Sinai, and the mountain burning with fire. The Hebrew worshipper, apart from his sacrifices, lived continually beneath the shadow of the darkness of a broken law; he was startled often by the tremendous note of the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886 The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds.
(Near Bethlehem, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 8-20. ^c 8 And there were shepherds in the same country [they were in the same fields from which David had been called to tend God's Israel, or flock] abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. [When the flock is too far from the village to lead it to the fold at night, these shepherds still so abide with it in the field, even in the dead of winter.] 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them [He stood upon the earth at their side, and did …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Lord's Supper Instituted.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 26-29; ^B Mark XIV. 22-25; ^C Luke XXII. 19, 20; ^F I. Cor. XI. 23-26. ^a 26 And as they were eating, ^f the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24 and when he had given thanks, { ^b blessed,} ^f he brake it, ^a and he gave to the disciples, and said, ^b Take ye: ^a Take, eat; this is my body. ^f which is ^c given ^f for you: this do in remembrance of me. [As only unleavened bread was eaten during the paschal supper, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Writings of St. Ambrose.
The extant writings of St. Ambrose may be divided under six heads. I. Dogmatic; II. Exegetic; III. Moral; IV. Sermons; V. Letters; VI. A few Hymns. I. Dogmatic and Controversial Works. 1. De Fide. The chief of these are the Five Books on the Faith, of which the two first were written in compliance with a request of the Emperor Gratian, a.d. 378. Books III.-V. were written in 379 or 380, and seem to have been worked up from addresses delivered to the people [V. prol. 9, 11; III. 143; IV. 119]. This …
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
"Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; The Conqueror now His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why He stays below; Yet hath not man his lesson learned, How endless love should be returned." Hitherto our thoughts about "The Kingdom of Heaven" have been founded on the teaching of the King respecting His Kingdom recorded in the Gospels. But we must not forget to give attention to the very important time in the life of our Lord extending between His Resurrection and Ascension, during which …
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it? The Last Supper
189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
The arrangements of the synagogue, as hitherto described, combined in a remarkable manner fixedness of order with liberty of the individual. Alike the seasons and the time of public services, their order, the prayers to be offered, and the portions of the law to be read were fixed. On the other hand, between the eighteen "benedictions" said on ordinary days, and the seven repeated on the Sabbaths, free prayer might be inserted; the selection from the prophets, with which the public reading concluded--the …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 24:4 NIVExodus 24:4 NLTExodus 24:4 ESVExodus 24:4 NASBExodus 24:4 KJV
Exodus 24:4 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
