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Exodus 24:12
Verse
Context
Moses on the Mountain
11But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.12Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Come up to me into the mount, and be there - We may suppose Moses to have been, with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders, about midway up the mount; for it plainly appears that there were several stations on it.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
Exo 24:12-18 prepare the way for the subsequent revelation recorded in ch. 25-31, which Moses received concerning the erection of the sanctuary. At the conclusion of the covenant meal, the representatives of the nation left the mountain along with Moses. This is not expressly stated, indeed; since it followed as a matter of course that they returned to the camp, when the festival for which God had called them up was concluded. A command was then issued again to Moses to ascend the mountain, and remain there (והיה־שׁם), for He was about to give him the tables of stone, with (ו as in Gen 3:24) the law and commandments, which He had written for their instruction (cf. Exo 31:18). Exo 24:13-14 When Moses was preparing to ascend the mountain with his servant Joshua (vid., Jos 17:9), he ordered the elders to remain in the camp (בּזה i.e., where they were) till their return, and appointed Aaron and Hur (vid., Exo 17:10) as administrators of justice in case of any disputes occurring among the people. דּברים מי־בעל whoever has matters, matters of dispute (on this meaning of בּעל see Gen 37:19). Exo 24:15-17 When he ascended the mountain, upon which the glory of Jehovah dwelt, it was covered for six days with the cloud, and the glory itself appeared to the Israelites in the camp below like devouring fire (cf. Exo 19:16); and on the seventh day He called Moses into the cloud. Whether Joshua followed him we are not told; but it is evident from Exo 32:17 that he was with him on the mountain, though, judging from Exo 24:2 and Exo 33:11, he would not go into the immediate presence of God. Exo 24:18 "And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights," including the six days of waiting, - the whole time without eating and drinking (Deu 9:9). The number forty was certainly significant, since it was not only repeated on the occasion of his second protracted stay upon Mount Sinai (Exo 34:28; Deu 9:18), but occurred again in the forty days of Elijah's journey to Horeb the mount of God in the strength of the food received from the angel (Kg1 19:8), and in the fasting of Jesus at the time of His temptation (Mat 4:2; Luk 4:2), and even appears to have been significant in the forty years of Israel's wandering in the desert (Deu 8:2). In all these cases the number refers to a period of temptation, of the trial of faith, as well as to a period of the strengthening of faith through the miraculous support bestowed by God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I will give thee tables of stone--The ten commandments, which had already been spoken, were to be given in a permanent form. Inscribed on stone, for greater durability, by the hand of God Himself, they were thus authenticated and honored above the judicial or ceremonial parts of the law.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord said unto Moses, come up to me into the mount,.... For as yet Moses was not got up to the top of the mount, only up some part of it with the elders, though at some distance from the people: but now he is bid to come up higher: and be there; continue there, as he did six days after this: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that is, the law of the ten commandments, which were written on tables of stone by the Lord himself; he had already spoken them in the hearing of the people, but now he had wrote them, and that in tables of stone; partly for the duration of them, and partly to represent the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites, the stubbornness of their wills to comply with his law, their contumacy and obstinate persistence in disobedience to it: that thou mayest teach them; these being in hand and sight, would have an opportunity of explaining them to them and inculcating them on their minds, and pressing them to yield an obedience to them.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The public ceremony of sealing the covenant being over, Moses is called up to receive further instructions, which we have in the following chapters. I. He is called up into the mount, and there he remains six days at some distance. Orders are given him (Exo 24:12): Come up to the mount, and be there, that is, "Expect to continue there for some considerable time." Those that would have communion with God must not only come to ordinances, but they must abide by them. Blessed are those that dwell in his house, not that merely call there. "Come up, and I will give thee a law, that thou mayest teach them." Moses taught them nothing but what he had received from the Lord, and he received nothing from the Lord but what he taught them; for he was faithful both to God and Israel, and did neither add nor diminish, but kept close to his instructions. Having received these orders, 1. He appointed Aaron and Hur to be as lords-justices in his absence, to keep the peace and good order in the congregation, Exo 24:14. The care of his government he would leave behind him when he went up into the mount, that he might not have that to distract his mind; and yet he would not leave the people as sheep having no shepherd, no, not for a few days. Good princes find their government a constant care, and their people find it a constant blessing. 2. He took Joshua up with him into the mount, v. 13. Joshua was his minister, and it would be a satisfaction to him to have him with him as a companion, during the six days that he tarried in the mount, before God called to him. Joshua was to be his successor, and therefore thus he was honoured before the people, above the rest of the elders, that they might afterwards the more readily take him for their governor; and thus he was prepared for service, by being trained up in communion with God. Joshua was a type of Christ, and (as the learned bishop Pearson well observes) Moses takes him with him into the mount, because without Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, there is no looking into the secrets of heaven, nor approaching the glorious presence of God. 3. A cloud covered the mount six days, a visible token of God's special presence there, for he so shows himself to us as at the same time to conceal himself from us. He lets us know so much as to assure us of his presence, power, and grace, but intimates to us that we cannot find him out to perfection. During these six days Moses staid waiting upon the mountain for a call into the presence-chamber, Exo 24:15, Exo 24:16. God thus tried the patience of Moses, and his obedience to that command (Exo 24:12), Be there. If Moses had been tired before the seventh day (as Saul, Sa1 13:8, Sa1 13:9), and had said, What should I wait for the Lord any longer? he would have lost the honour of entering into the cloud; but communion with God is worth waiting for. And it is fit we should address ourselves to solemn ordinances with a solemn pause, taking time to compose ourselves, Psa 108:1. II. He is called up into a cloud on the seventh day, probably on the sabbath day, Exo 24:16. Now, 1. The thick cloud opened in the sight of all Israel, and the glory of the Lord broke forth like devouring fire, Exo 24:17. God, even our God, is a consuming fire, and so he was pleased to manifest himself in the giving of the law, that, knowing the terrors of the Lord, we may be persuaded to obey, and may by them be prepared for the comforts of the gospel, and that the grace and truth which come by Jesus Christ may be the more acceptable. 2. The entrance of Moses into the cloud was very wonderful: Moses went into the midst of the cloud, Exo 24:18. It was an extraordinary presence of mind which the grace of God furnished him with by his six day's' preparation, else he durst not have ventured into the cloud, especially when it broke out in devouring fire. Moses was sure that he who called him would protect him; and even those glorious attributes of God which are most terrible to the wicked the saints with a humble reverence rejoice in. He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly, is able to dwell even with this devouring fire, as we are told, Isa 33:14, Isa 33:15. There are persons and works that will abide the fire, Co1 3:12, etc., and some that will have confidence before God. 3. His continuance in the cloud was no less wonderful; he was there forty days and forty nights. It should seem, the six days (Exo 24:16) were not part of the forty; for, during those six days, Moses was with Joshua, who did eat of the manna, and drink of the brook, mentioned, Deu 9:21, and while they were together it is probable that Moses did eat and drink with him; but when Moses was called into the midst of the cloud he left Joshua without, who continued to eat and drink daily while he waited for Moses's return, but thenceforward Moses fasted. Doubtless God could have said what he had now to say to Moses in one day, but, for the greater solemnity of the thing, he kept him with him in the mount forty days and forty nights. We are hereby taught to spend much time in communion with God, and to think that time best spent which is so spent. Those that would get the knowledge of God's will must meditate thereon day and night.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
24:12 The instructions and commands to be inscribed on the tablets of stone were the ten basic principles of 20:3-17 (see 34:28) on which the specific stipulations of 21:1–23:33 depended.
Exodus 24:12
Moses on the Mountain
11But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.12Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Come Up Unto Me
By Art Katz3.8K50:28Extravagance of GodEXO 3:10EXO 13:21EXO 20:1EXO 24:12EXO 32:19EXO 33:18MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Moses spending 40 days and 40 nights on the mountaintop with God. The purpose of this extended period of time was not just to receive the tablets of the law, but for Moses to be emptied of his own intentions and virtues. Through this process, Moses was able to truly encounter God and understand His character, both in meekness and in hot indignation. The speaker highlights the need for the church and the world to have a deeper sense of fear and respect for God, as well as the importance of being in His presence in order to truly be with one another.
The Formation of an Apostle
By Art Katz3.3K1:10:46ApostleEXO 24:12EXO 24:15MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of going up to be with God and experiencing His presence. He uses the example of Moses spending six days in the cloud of smoke on Mount Sinai, where he was completely disoriented and lost all human understanding. The speaker emphasizes that being with God is not just about following rules and regulations, but about encountering His essence and reality. He urges believers to be witnesses for God by bringing their whole selves into His presence and authentically representing Him to others.
Ai - Spiritual Warfare
By Stephen Kaung1.8K1:02:07EXO 24:12JOS 6:201SA 4:3ISA 65:10HOS 2:15MAT 6:33ROM 8:37In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joshua and the battle of A.I. after the victory at Jericho. Joshua sends spies to scout out A.I., a smaller city, and they report that it would be an easy victory. However, when the Israelites attack, they are defeated and Joshua is devastated. The preacher highlights that the defeat was a result of sin in Israel and emphasizes the importance of avoiding the temptation of worldly desires. The sermon concludes with God assuring Joshua that he will give them victory over A.I.
Exodus 24:1
By Carl Armerding1.5K40:52CovenantEXO 24:1EXO 24:12EXO 24:17MAT 11:28EPH 1:3In this sermon, the speaker discusses the consecration service in Exodus 24, where Moses sprinkled blood on the people. He describes the awe-inspiring sight of the God of Israel, with a sapphire stone under his feet. The speaker acknowledges that it is difficult to explain how God made himself visible to the people, but compares it to how God made himself visible through the incarnation of his beloved son in the New Testament. The sermon also addresses the importance of prioritizing one's spiritual life and the common neglect of the devotional life among believers, particularly among young people.
Naaman Healed of Leprosy Part 2
By Bertha Smith1.1K31:33HealingEXO 2:11EXO 24:12EXO 25:8EXO 33:11NUM 12:6NUM 12:10HEB 12:21In this sermon, the preacher discusses the stories of Moses and Mary Maginn from the Bible. He highlights how Moses, at the age of forty, took matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian taskmaster, leading him to flee and live in the desert for forty years. On the other hand, Mary Maginn is mentioned after forty years when she leads an orchestra of women in praising God for the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. The preacher also mentions the importance of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament and how they foreshadowed Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Additionally, he briefly touches on the discipline of women in biblical times and the role of the head of the family in maintaining order.
The Tabernacle 01 the Sin Offering
By J. Henry Brown7561:02:16EXO 24:12EXO 25:6EXO 25:8EXO 28:1In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about an old Negro preacher who had a unique way of making his sermons memorable. The preacher divided his sermons into three headings: telling the audience what he was going to tell them, telling them, and then telling them what he had just told them. This repetition helped the congregation remember the message. The preacher then tells another story about a man named Mr. Evans who was owed money by some people. Mr. Evans made a deal with them to provide them with food until they could pay him back. The sermon emphasizes the importance of putting things in their proper place and being careful in our actions.
Apostolic and Prophetic Foundations
By Art Katz0Prophetic FoundationsApostolic LeadershipEXO 20:21EXO 24:12EXO 32:1EXO 32:6EXO 34:15PSA 65:4EPH 2:20REV 2:2Art Katz emphasizes the urgent need for apostolic and prophetic foundations in the church as it faces unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. He reflects on the fading enthusiasm of past movements and the necessity for true leaders who have communed with God, like Moses on the mountain, to guide the church. Katz warns against self-appointed leaders who lack divine commissioning and stresses the importance of a genuine fear of God that comes from deep communion with Him. He calls for a new generation of leaders who can navigate the tension between the glory of God and the failures of His people, ultimately desiring to see God's glory manifested in the church. The sermon serves as a clarion call for authentic spiritual leadership rooted in divine revelation.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Come up to me into the mount, and be there - We may suppose Moses to have been, with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders, about midway up the mount; for it plainly appears that there were several stations on it.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
Exo 24:12-18 prepare the way for the subsequent revelation recorded in ch. 25-31, which Moses received concerning the erection of the sanctuary. At the conclusion of the covenant meal, the representatives of the nation left the mountain along with Moses. This is not expressly stated, indeed; since it followed as a matter of course that they returned to the camp, when the festival for which God had called them up was concluded. A command was then issued again to Moses to ascend the mountain, and remain there (והיה־שׁם), for He was about to give him the tables of stone, with (ו as in Gen 3:24) the law and commandments, which He had written for their instruction (cf. Exo 31:18). Exo 24:13-14 When Moses was preparing to ascend the mountain with his servant Joshua (vid., Jos 17:9), he ordered the elders to remain in the camp (בּזה i.e., where they were) till their return, and appointed Aaron and Hur (vid., Exo 17:10) as administrators of justice in case of any disputes occurring among the people. דּברים מי־בעל whoever has matters, matters of dispute (on this meaning of בּעל see Gen 37:19). Exo 24:15-17 When he ascended the mountain, upon which the glory of Jehovah dwelt, it was covered for six days with the cloud, and the glory itself appeared to the Israelites in the camp below like devouring fire (cf. Exo 19:16); and on the seventh day He called Moses into the cloud. Whether Joshua followed him we are not told; but it is evident from Exo 32:17 that he was with him on the mountain, though, judging from Exo 24:2 and Exo 33:11, he would not go into the immediate presence of God. Exo 24:18 "And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights," including the six days of waiting, - the whole time without eating and drinking (Deu 9:9). The number forty was certainly significant, since it was not only repeated on the occasion of his second protracted stay upon Mount Sinai (Exo 34:28; Deu 9:18), but occurred again in the forty days of Elijah's journey to Horeb the mount of God in the strength of the food received from the angel (Kg1 19:8), and in the fasting of Jesus at the time of His temptation (Mat 4:2; Luk 4:2), and even appears to have been significant in the forty years of Israel's wandering in the desert (Deu 8:2). In all these cases the number refers to a period of temptation, of the trial of faith, as well as to a period of the strengthening of faith through the miraculous support bestowed by God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I will give thee tables of stone--The ten commandments, which had already been spoken, were to be given in a permanent form. Inscribed on stone, for greater durability, by the hand of God Himself, they were thus authenticated and honored above the judicial or ceremonial parts of the law.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord said unto Moses, come up to me into the mount,.... For as yet Moses was not got up to the top of the mount, only up some part of it with the elders, though at some distance from the people: but now he is bid to come up higher: and be there; continue there, as he did six days after this: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that is, the law of the ten commandments, which were written on tables of stone by the Lord himself; he had already spoken them in the hearing of the people, but now he had wrote them, and that in tables of stone; partly for the duration of them, and partly to represent the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites, the stubbornness of their wills to comply with his law, their contumacy and obstinate persistence in disobedience to it: that thou mayest teach them; these being in hand and sight, would have an opportunity of explaining them to them and inculcating them on their minds, and pressing them to yield an obedience to them.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The public ceremony of sealing the covenant being over, Moses is called up to receive further instructions, which we have in the following chapters. I. He is called up into the mount, and there he remains six days at some distance. Orders are given him (Exo 24:12): Come up to the mount, and be there, that is, "Expect to continue there for some considerable time." Those that would have communion with God must not only come to ordinances, but they must abide by them. Blessed are those that dwell in his house, not that merely call there. "Come up, and I will give thee a law, that thou mayest teach them." Moses taught them nothing but what he had received from the Lord, and he received nothing from the Lord but what he taught them; for he was faithful both to God and Israel, and did neither add nor diminish, but kept close to his instructions. Having received these orders, 1. He appointed Aaron and Hur to be as lords-justices in his absence, to keep the peace and good order in the congregation, Exo 24:14. The care of his government he would leave behind him when he went up into the mount, that he might not have that to distract his mind; and yet he would not leave the people as sheep having no shepherd, no, not for a few days. Good princes find their government a constant care, and their people find it a constant blessing. 2. He took Joshua up with him into the mount, v. 13. Joshua was his minister, and it would be a satisfaction to him to have him with him as a companion, during the six days that he tarried in the mount, before God called to him. Joshua was to be his successor, and therefore thus he was honoured before the people, above the rest of the elders, that they might afterwards the more readily take him for their governor; and thus he was prepared for service, by being trained up in communion with God. Joshua was a type of Christ, and (as the learned bishop Pearson well observes) Moses takes him with him into the mount, because without Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, there is no looking into the secrets of heaven, nor approaching the glorious presence of God. 3. A cloud covered the mount six days, a visible token of God's special presence there, for he so shows himself to us as at the same time to conceal himself from us. He lets us know so much as to assure us of his presence, power, and grace, but intimates to us that we cannot find him out to perfection. During these six days Moses staid waiting upon the mountain for a call into the presence-chamber, Exo 24:15, Exo 24:16. God thus tried the patience of Moses, and his obedience to that command (Exo 24:12), Be there. If Moses had been tired before the seventh day (as Saul, Sa1 13:8, Sa1 13:9), and had said, What should I wait for the Lord any longer? he would have lost the honour of entering into the cloud; but communion with God is worth waiting for. And it is fit we should address ourselves to solemn ordinances with a solemn pause, taking time to compose ourselves, Psa 108:1. II. He is called up into a cloud on the seventh day, probably on the sabbath day, Exo 24:16. Now, 1. The thick cloud opened in the sight of all Israel, and the glory of the Lord broke forth like devouring fire, Exo 24:17. God, even our God, is a consuming fire, and so he was pleased to manifest himself in the giving of the law, that, knowing the terrors of the Lord, we may be persuaded to obey, and may by them be prepared for the comforts of the gospel, and that the grace and truth which come by Jesus Christ may be the more acceptable. 2. The entrance of Moses into the cloud was very wonderful: Moses went into the midst of the cloud, Exo 24:18. It was an extraordinary presence of mind which the grace of God furnished him with by his six day's' preparation, else he durst not have ventured into the cloud, especially when it broke out in devouring fire. Moses was sure that he who called him would protect him; and even those glorious attributes of God which are most terrible to the wicked the saints with a humble reverence rejoice in. He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly, is able to dwell even with this devouring fire, as we are told, Isa 33:14, Isa 33:15. There are persons and works that will abide the fire, Co1 3:12, etc., and some that will have confidence before God. 3. His continuance in the cloud was no less wonderful; he was there forty days and forty nights. It should seem, the six days (Exo 24:16) were not part of the forty; for, during those six days, Moses was with Joshua, who did eat of the manna, and drink of the brook, mentioned, Deu 9:21, and while they were together it is probable that Moses did eat and drink with him; but when Moses was called into the midst of the cloud he left Joshua without, who continued to eat and drink daily while he waited for Moses's return, but thenceforward Moses fasted. Doubtless God could have said what he had now to say to Moses in one day, but, for the greater solemnity of the thing, he kept him with him in the mount forty days and forty nights. We are hereby taught to spend much time in communion with God, and to think that time best spent which is so spent. Those that would get the knowledge of God's will must meditate thereon day and night.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
24:12 The instructions and commands to be inscribed on the tablets of stone were the ten basic principles of 20:3-17 (see 34:28) on which the specific stipulations of 21:1–23:33 depended.