January 20, 2025
God's People Signed Up for This!
Exodus 22-24
Allison Freet
Big Book Idea
God redeems His people, sets them apart, and reveals Himself.
Key Verse | Exodus 24:7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient."
Exodus 22-24
1 1 22:1 Ch 21:37 in Hebrew If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 2 22:2 Ch 22:1 in Hebrew If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He 3 22:3 That is, the thief shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
5 If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.
6 If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.
7 If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man's house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. 9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
10 If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, 11 an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.
14 If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee. 4 22:15 Or it is reckoned in (Hebrew comes into) its hiring fee
Laws About Social Justice
16 If a man seduces a virgin 5 22:16 Or a girl of marriageable age; also verse 17 who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price 6 22:16 Or engagement present; also verse 17 for her and make her his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.
18 You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
19 Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.
20 Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction. 7 22:20 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)
21 You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
25 If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
28 You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
31 You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
1 You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. 2 You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, 3 nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.
4 If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
6 You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. 7 Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. 8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
9 You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
Laws About the Sabbath and Festivals
10 For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.
12 Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.
13 Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.
14 Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me. 15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed. 16 You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. 17 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God.
18 You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my feast remain until the morning.
19 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.
You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.
Conquest of Canaan Promised
20 Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.
22 But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
23 When my angel goes before you and brings you to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I blot them out, 24 you shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces. 25 You shall serve the LORD your God, and he 8 23:25 Septuagint, Vulgate I will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. 26 None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. 27 I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28 And I will send hornets 9 23:28 Or the hornet before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you. 29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land. 31 And I will set your border from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates, 10 23:31 Hebrew the River for I will give the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. 32 You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”
The Covenant Confirmed
1 Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. 2 Moses alone shall come near to the LORD, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”
3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the rules. 11 24:3 Or all the just decrees And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.
12 The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”
15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Footnotes
[1] 22:1 Ch 21:37 in Hebrew[2] 22:2 Ch 22:1 in Hebrew
[3] 22:3 That is, the thief
[4] 22:15 Or it is reckoned in (Hebrew comes into) its hiring fee
[5] 22:16 Or a girl of marriageable age; also verse 17
[6] 22:16 Or engagement present; also verse 17
[7] 22:20 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)
[8] 23:25 Septuagint, Vulgate I
[9] 23:28 Or the hornet
[10] 23:31 Hebrew the River
[11] 24:3 Or all the just decrees
Table of Contents
Introduction to Exodus
Timeline
Author and Date
Exodus (meaning exit) is best understood to have been written primarily by Moses, like the rest of the Pentateuch, though some details (such as the narrative of his death in Deuteronomy 34) were clearly added at a later time. It also appears that some language and references were updated for later readers. There is no consensus among scholars as to the date when the events of the exodus took place. A common view is that the exodus occurred in c. 1446 B.C. This is based on the calculation of 480 years from Israel’s departure from Egypt to the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (c. 966 B.C.; see 1 Kings 6:1). However, because Exodus 1:11 depicts Israel working on a city called Raamses, some scholars believe that this would suggest that the exodus occurred during the reign of Raamses II in Egypt (c. 1279–1213 B.C.), possibly around 1260 B.C. (see note on 1 Kings 6:1).
Theme
The overarching theme of Exodus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The success of the exodus must be credited to the power and purpose of God, who remembers his promises, punishes sin, and forgives the repentant. The book highlights Moses’ faithfulness and prayerfulness.
Key Themes
- Covenant promises. The events and instructions in Exodus are described as the Lord remembering his covenant promises to Abraham (2:24; 3:6, 14–17; 6:2–8). The promises extend to both Abraham’s descendants and all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3). They include land (which Israel will inhabit), numerous offspring (which will secure their ongoing identity), and blessing (God cares for them and other nations). The fulfillment of these promises is rooted in Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord (Gen. 17:7–8).
- Covenant mediator. Moses mediates between the Lord and his people. Through Moses the Lord reveals his purposes to Israel and sustains the covenant relationship.
- Covenant presence. God’s presence with his people is highlighted throughout the book of Exodus.
Outline
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Exodus of Israel from Egypt (1:1–18:27)
- Setting: Israel in Egypt (1:1–2:25)
- Call of Moses (3:1–4:31)
- Moses and Aaron: initial request (5:1–7:7)
- Plagues and exodus (7:8–15:21)
- Journey (15:22–18:27)
- Covenant at Sinai (19:1–40:38)
- Setting: Sinai (19:1–25)
- Covenant words and rules (20:1–23:33)
- Covenant confirmed (24:1–18)
- Instructions for the tabernacle (25:1–31:17)
- Moses receives the tablets (31:18)
- Covenant breach, intercession, and renewal (32:1–34:35)
- Tabernacle: preparation for the presence (35:1–40:38)
The Journey to Mount Sinai
1446 B.C.
Scholars disagree about the precise route of the exodus, but most agree that Mount Sinai is the site that today is called Jebel Musa (“Mountain of Moses”).
Fact: As numerous as the stars
As numerous as the stars. As the book of Exodus begins, some 350 years have passed since the end of Genesis. The 70 Israelites who went to Egypt have grown into a great multitude. This fulfills God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants and to make them a blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:5).
Fact: On eagles’ wings
On eagles’ wings. The kind of eagle that the author of Exodus probably had in mind had a wingspan of 8 to 10 feet (2–3 m), making it a fitting symbol of the Lord’s ability to rescue his people from their life of slavery in Egypt.
Fact: God’s glory fills the tabernacle
Israel has witnessed some incredible events, such as the 10 plagues and the parting of the Sea. Now, at the end of Exodus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle and he will lead them to the Promised Land.
Fact: What was the purpose of the Mosaic covenant?
What was the purpose of the Mosaic covenant? Israel was already God’s chosen people because of the promises God made to Abraham. The covenant with Moses established the nation as a holy kingdom of priests, dedicated to serving God and teaching the other nations of the world about him (19:5–6). Israel was a theocracy, a nation ruled directly by God. The Mosaic covenant established the political, social, and religious aspects of Israel’s life.
Fact: Widows, fatherless children, sojourners, and the poor
Widows, fatherless children, sojourners, and the poor were vulnerable members of society (7:10). Treating them justly and kindly matters very much to the Lord, and he will punish those who mistreat them (see Ex. 22:21–24; Deut. 10:18–19).
Fact: Pledge
A pledge (22:6) was an object of worth given as a down payment on a debt. Israelites were not to take in pledge essential items such as clothing (Ex. 22:26) or tools a person needed for their work (Deut. 24:6).
Fact: A stiff penalty
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
Fact: Bribe
A bribe is anything that is given with the intent of persuading someone to act in a person’s favor. Bribes were forbidden in Ex. 23:8. The poor often lost their cases in court because they could not afford to bribe the judge (Prov. 17:23).
Fact: A new covenant
A new covenant. God wrote the first covenant, the law, on stone tablets (Ex. 24:12). The new covenant is “written” on hearts (2 Cor. 3:2–3; see Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 11:19). In other words, the Spirit changes believers’ hearts to enable them to obey God.
Fact: Bankers
The bankers (25:27) were probably money-changers, who would charge for their services. It was rare for people to have money or treasure to invest, but if they did, they buried it (Josh. 7:21), had a friend or neighbor guard it (Ex. 22:7), or kept it in a temple.
The Setting of Leviticus
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus, and note on 1 Kings 6:1.)
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
The Battle between Yahweh and the Rulers of Egypt
Exodus tells about the plagues God brings about as he frees his people from Egypt. The plagues affect areas of life supposedly protected by Egypt’s gods. Thus, they show God’s power over the gods of the world’s mightiest nation.
| Type of Plague | Reference | Warning? | Time of Warning | Instruction | Agent | Staff? | Pharaoh promises to let people go? | Pharaoh’s heart hardened? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Cycle | 1. Nile to blood | 7:14–25 | Yes | In the morning | Go to Pharaoh; Stand | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes |
| 2. Frogs from the Nile | 8:1–15 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Aaron | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3. Dust to gnats | 8:16–19 | — | — | — | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes | |
| 2nd Cycle | 4. Flies | 8:20–32 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself to Pharaoh | God | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Egyptian livestock die | 9:1–7 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | God | — | — | Yes | |
| 6. Boils | 9:8–12 | — | — | — | Moses | — | — | Yes | |
| 3rd Cycle | 7. Hail | 9:13–35 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself before Pharaoh | Moses | — | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Locusts | 10:1–20 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 9. Darkness | 10:21–29 | — | — | — | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 10. Death of firstborn | 11:1–10; 12:29–32 | Yes | — | — | God | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Parallels between Exodus and Numbers
| Ex. 18:1 | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Num. 10:29 |
| Ex. 15:22 | Three-day journey to Sinai | Three-day journey from Sinai | Num. 10:33 |
| Ex. 15:22–26 | Complaint about water | Unspecified complaint | Num. 11:1–3 |
| Exodus 16 | Manna and quail | Manna and quail | Num. 11:4–15, 31–35 |
| Exodus 18 | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Num. 11:16–30 |
| Ex. 15:20–21 | Miriam’s song of praise | Miriam and Aaron rebel | Numbers 12 |
| Ex. 17:8–16 | Israel defeats Amalek | Israel defeated by Amalek | Num. 14:39–45 |
| Ex. 17:1–7 | Water from rock | Water from rock | Num. 20:1–13 |
| Ex. 32:6 | People sacrifice to other gods | People sacrifice to other gods | Num. 25:2 |
| Ex. 32:27 | Killing of apostates demanded | Killing of apostates demanded | Num. 25:5 |
| Ex. 32:28–29 | Levites’ status enhanced | Levites’ (Phinehas’s) status enhanced | Num. 25:6–13 |
| Ex. 32:35 | Plague on the people | Plague on the people | Num. 25:9 |
Ex. 22:2–3 There is no penalty for killing an intruder who breaks in during the night, but if the sun has risen on him, the person who kills him is held responsible. The law protects both the one who is surprised by a thief at night and the thief himself, who could be identified during the day and brought to the judges for punishment.
Fact: Bankers
The bankers (25:27) were probably money-changers, who would charge for their services. It was rare for people to have money or treasure to invest, but if they did, they buried it (Josh. 7:21), had a friend or neighbor guard it (Ex. 22:7), or kept it in a temple.
Ex. 22:9 In this case, as also in v. 12, a person steals his neighbor’s property by falsely claiming that he himself was the victim of a thief. Then, the person must pay double to his neighbor, which is the standard punishment for theft (see v. 4). The dishonest person would say “this is it” to indicate that “this is the item in dispute.”
Ex. 22:16–17 Although seduces probably implies mutual consent, the man must provide for the woman he has seduced, both by marrying her (unless the father utterly refuses) and by paying the bride-price (see Deut. 22:28–29), even if the father forbids the marriage. Since the bride-price was equivalent to several years’ wages, this amounts to a huge fine for premarital intercourse.
Ex. 22:22 The Lord repeatedly forbids the mistreatment of the widow and the fatherless child (e.g., Isa. 1:17, 23; Jer. 7:5–7; Zech. 7:10).
Fact: Widows, fatherless children, sojourners, and the poor
Widows, fatherless children, sojourners, and the poor were vulnerable members of society (7:10). Treating them justly and kindly matters very much to the Lord, and he will punish those who mistreat them (see Ex. 22:21–24; Deut. 10:18–19).
Fact: Pledge
A pledge (22:6) was an object of worth given as a down payment on a debt. Israelites were not to take in pledge essential items such as clothing (Ex. 22:26) or tools a person needed for their work (Deut. 24:6).
Fact: A stiff penalty
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
Ex. 23:4–5 Israelites are called to show love for an enemy or for one who hates them.
Fact: Bribe
A bribe is anything that is given with the intent of persuading someone to act in a person’s favor. Bribes were forbidden in Ex. 23:8. The poor often lost their cases in court because they could not afford to bribe the judge (Prov. 17:23).
Ex. 23:10–11 See Lev. 25:2–7.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Ex. 23:14–17 This section introduces the feasts of Harvest and Ingathering, which are explained in further detail later (see Lev. 23:9–22).
Ex. 21:1–23:19 This section contains basic guidelines for living together as a just society and as a people set apart to the Lord. The specific laws are not intended to be exhaustive but are to encourage and safeguard justice, civility, and moral excellence.
Ex. 23:10–19 See note on 20:22–26.
Ex. 23:19 The reason for this rule is not explained. Boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk may have been a pagan religious ceremony practiced to induce fertility. Or it may be seen as a violation of the natural order: the young goat should drink its mother’s milk and gain life from it, not be cooked in it.
Ex. 23:20–22 The angel who will go before Israel is closely identified with God himself: my name is in him implies God’s nature and character; to obey his voice is to do all that I say.
20:1–23:33 Covenant Words and Rules. This section records what will later be referred to as the “Book of the Covenant” (24:7) and includes: the Ten Commandments (20:1–21); instructions on worship (20:22–26; 23:10–19); rules and principles for community life (21:1–23:9); and instructions for entering the land of Canaan (23:20–33).
Fact: What was the purpose of the Mosaic covenant?
What was the purpose of the Mosaic covenant? Israel was already God’s chosen people because of the promises God made to Abraham. The covenant with Moses established the nation as a holy kingdom of priests, dedicated to serving God and teaching the other nations of the world about him (19:5–6). Israel was a theocracy, a nation ruled directly by God. The Mosaic covenant established the political, social, and religious aspects of Israel’s life.
Ex. 24:1–2 The rules about who can enter the Lord’s presence on Mount Sinai will prepare Israel for the similar rules regarding the tabernacle.
Ex. 24:5 Burnt offerings (10:25; 18:12) and peace offerings (20:24) have already been mentioned in Exodus, but the Lord had not yet given full instructions concerning them.
Ex. 24:7 The Book of the Covenant apparently refers to both the Ten Commandments (20:1–21) and the commands and rules that follow (20:22–23:33).
Ex. 24:6–8 Throwing blood . . . against the altar and on the people probably signifies cleansing and atonement. The blood links the altar and the people, symbolizing the union of God and Israel in the covenant.
Ex. 24:9–11 The men saw the God of Israel and remained unharmed. According to 33:20, “man shall not see [God] and live,” so the “seeing” here was something different. Compare 33:23, which perhaps describes a partial vision of God (see notes on John 1:18; Rev. 22:4). The clear surface they saw under his feet may indicate that this is all they saw of God.
Fact: A new covenant
A new covenant. God wrote the first covenant, the law, on stone tablets (Ex. 24:12). The new covenant is “written” on hearts (2 Cor. 3:2–3; see Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 11:19). In other words, the Spirit changes believers’ hearts to enable them to obey God.
Ex. 24:13–14 This is the first time Joshua is referred to as Moses’ assistant (also 33:11; Josh. 1:1). Hur helped Aaron hold up Moses’ hands during the battle with Amalek (Ex. 17:10–12).
24:1–18 Covenant Confirmed. This section describes three different aspects of the covenant being confirmed: (1) Moses leads the people of Israel in sacrificing to the Lord and in reconfirming the covenant (vv. 3–8); (2) Moses, Aaron and his sons, and the elders worship the Lord and share a meal in his presence (vv. 1–2, 9–11); and (3) Moses and Joshua go further up the mountain, so that Moses can enter the cloud of the Lord’s presence (vv. 12–18).
Ex. 24:17–18 like a devouring fire. God’s presence is often signified by fire (see also 3:2; 13:21–22; 19:18; 40:38; compare Deut. 9:3). Moses is able to enter the cloud of God’s presence; he is the one with whom God has chosen to meet and therefore he will not be destroyed (see Ex. 24:9–11).
S4:017 Exodus 22-24
Listen NowDive Deeper | Exodus 22-24
All right, admit it. You read the first verse of Exodus 22 and were tempted to skip the whole thing. Laws about oxen and sheep? What can we learn about God here? The laws of the Old Testament can seem outdated and inapplicable to us in 2025; and while that may be true in our day-to-day lives, what we learn about God in these chapters reminds us that He is a God who cares for the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed. He cares for the well-being of His children, oversees the care of the vulnerable, and provides guidelines for us to experience Sabbath rest.
After wading through the laws set forth by God in Exodus 22 and 23, we read in Exodus 24 about the confirmation of the covenant between God and His people. The people of Israel committed themselves to "[a]ll the words that the LORD has spoken" and promised God that they would be obedient to His commands.
But spoiler alert: they were not. The Law was set forth by God as a means of protection and a pathway toward communion with Himself, but in their own strength, the Israelites would never be able to fulfill it completely.
In Exodus 24:8, Moses takes the blood of the sacrifices and throws it on the Israelites, confirming the covenant between God and His people. This covenant confirmation through the shedding of an innocent animal's blood is a foreshadowing, a signpost, to the greater covenant to come 2,000 years later in the person and work of our Savior Jesus Christ! His blood, shed on the cross for our sins, paved the way for a restored relationship with the Father.
It has never been about what we can do for God; it's always been about what Jesus has done for us. Studying the Law, as tedious as it can be, points us to Jesus. Is that not what the whole Bible does? So, dig in and don't skim. We have much to learn!
This month's memory verse
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
– Exodus 34:6
Discussion Questions
1. An important aspect of Bible study involves reading a passage and looking for how it reveals more of who God is. So, read through Exodus 22-24 again. What do these laws reveal to you about God's character?
2. In these chapters, we see God's heart for the poor, the sojourner, and the oppressed. How does this challenge you to love your neighbor better?
3. Exodus 23:33 reminds us that other gods are "snares." Are there any things in your life that you are holding above the Lord? Spend time confessing to God the idols in your life, and then share your confession with a trusted friend or your community group.