Thank you for joining us this week as we continue our study through Exodus. Now, let’s go with Bible teacher, J Mark, for a closer look at today’s lesson.
After Israel came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership they camped at Mt. Sinai. This is an outstanding moment in human history because God came down on Mt. Sinai to meet with His people. No other gods have ever met with their followers in this way.
There on the mountain, God gave them the Law so they would know how to live. That Law is good for all people everywhere. It was intended to be the Law of God and people everywhere are expected to pay attention to it, respect it and obey what the LORD has spoken. It is this Law that shows us our need for Christ.
The Bible tells us “No one has seen God at any time.” In this Scripture from Exodus, Moses and the elders of Israel did not see God face to face, but they saw that under His feet was a pavement of brilliant stone. I believe they were seeing a reflection of God’s Shekinah glory.
When God spoke from Mt. Sinai the people of Israel trembled with fear and stood at the further end of the camp. They were afraid of God’s presence. Now, on this occasion, the leaders are APPROACHING GOD’S PRESENCE as recorded in Exodus 24:9-18.
9. Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
10. 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.
11. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also, they saw God, and did eat and drink.
12. And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
13. And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
14. And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.
l5. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
16. And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
17. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was on the mount forty days and forty nights.
On this occasion God disclosed several direct MANIFESTATIONS as His people approached His presence.
The First MANIFESTATION was,
He Disclosed His Divine Splendor.
These men saw some representation of God. We are not given details. We are simply told they saw the God of Israel. But what they described wasn’t a person. Instead, they saw under His feet was a paved work of sapphire stone. Sapphire is a precious stone that is a rich blue color. The next clause says it was like the body of heaven, or as blue as the sky of heaven. They saw this as a sapphire stone under the feet of God, a pavement that was as blue as the bluest sky.
Then we are told that the LORD did not lay His hand upon the nobles of Israel. I take that to mean that God didn’t discipline or punish them, He accepted them in His presence. They saw God and ate and drank together. They enjoyed a meal together. Someone once said, “the crown of fellowship is eating together.” Sharing a meal shows welcome, hospitality, and friendship.
Later on, in the book of Leviticus, God told them how to present the peace offerings that they would bring to the tabernacle. With this offering they would...
