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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 24:12

Verse 12 12.And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me. Moses himself is now taken up higher; because it was sufficient that the elders should be admitted to that intermediate vision, from whence they might certainly know that he would not proceed further, except by God’s command, in order that he might be received to familiar colloquy. Although, however, Joshua began to go on with him, it is plain that he was only his companion for six days, until Moses left him behind, and was gathered into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:1-11

The vision of God for the selected few. I. THOSE SELECTED FOR THIS VISION . That Moses himself went up was a matter of course. It was good for him to be there for the strengthening of his own faith. He himself would rejoice in the assurance thus given that the promise of the people was accepted. As to those who went up with him, it is clear that in the revelation something was being done to prepare them for official positions afterwards. They got this glorious sight not because... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:1-11

The Covenant made. 1 . THE VISION OF GOD (1, 2, 9, 11).— 1 . It is for the called alone. God manifests himself only to the repentant and the believing. 2 . These are commanded to approach. This is our warrant for confident boldness of access: he has called us. 3 . The vision is bestowed upon those from whose midst the mediator has gone into God's immediate presence and who wait his return ( Exodus 24:2 ). 4 . It is given as they go upwards into the mount where... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:1-12

A vision of God. Prior to the ratification of the covenant, God had given Moses instructions that, immediately on the conclusion of the ceremonies, he, together with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu (representatives of the future priesthood), and seventy of the elders of Israel (representatives of the body of the people), should again ascend the mountain ( Exodus 24:1 , Exodus 24:2 ). The design was to partake of a sacrificial feast, perhaps held on the flesh of the peace-offerings of Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:3-9

The ratification of the covenant. These verses contain the account of the formal ratification of the covenant between Israel and Jehovah—an event, the most momentous in the history of the nation, big, for weal or woe, with unimaginable issues, and a shadow of the better covenant which God now makes with Christians. Observe— I. THE RATIONALITY OF THE COVENANT . God desires from his people "reasonable service" ( Romans 12:1 ). He would not have them enter it in haste. Vows... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:9

Then went up . Compare Exodus 24:1 . The mountain was to be partially ascended, but not to any great height. Nadab, Abihu, and the elders were to "worship God afar off ." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:9-11

1 . A sacrificial meal always followed upon a sacrifice; and the elders might naturally desire to partake of it as near the Divine presence as should be permitted them. This was their purpose in ascending. 2 . God desired to impress them with a sense of his awful majesty and beauty, and was prepared for this end to manifest himself to them in some strange and wonderful way as they were engaged in the solemn meal ( Exodus 24:11 ). This was his purpose in inviting their presence.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:9-11

The Covenant Meal on Sinai. The Old Testament contains no mention of any other meal so wonderful as this. Newly entered into covenant with God, fresh from the blood of sprinkling, which was representative of the blood of Christ, Moses, Aaron with his two sons, and the seventy elders, half-way up Sinai, engaged in the sacrificial feast upon the peace-offerings ( Exodus 24:5 ), when lo! the heaven was opened to them, and there burst upon their astonished sight a vision of Jehovah in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:10

They saw the God of Israel . These words can scarcely mean less than that they saw with their bodily eyes some appearance of the Divine being who had summoned them to his presence for the purpose. Moses, we know, saw a "similitude of God" ( Numbers 12:8 ). Isaiah "saw the Lord sitting upon his throne "( Isaiah 6:1 ). Ezekiel saw upon the throne "the appearance of a man" ( Ezekiel 1:26 ). It does not follow from Deuteronomy 4:12 , Deuteronomy 4:15 , that the elders saw no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 24:11

The nobles — i.e; the notables—the seventy elders, and other persons, already mentioned ( Exodus 24:1 , Exodus 24:9 ). He laid not his hand . God did not smite them with death, or pestilence, or even blindness. It was thought to be impossible to see God and live. (See above, Genesis 32:30 ; Exodus 32:20 ; 6:22 , 6:23 , etc.) Man was unworthy to draw near to God in any way; and to look on him was viewed as a kind of profanity. Yet some times he chose to show himself, in vision... read more

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