Exodus 24:15

24:12-18 A cloud covered the mount six days; a token of God's special presence there. Moses was sure that he who called him up would protect him. Even those glorious attributes of God which are most terrible to the wicked, the saints with humble reverence rejoice in. And through faith in the atoning Sacrifice, we hope for greater honour than Moses ever enjoyed on earth. Now we see through a glass darkly, but when he shall appear, then face to face. This vision of God will continue with equal, if not increasing brightness of joy; not for a few days only, but through eternity.

Many Jews understand the "tables of stone" to denote the Ten Commandments; "a law," the law written in the Pentateuch; and the "commandments" (or "the commandment"), the oral or traditional law which was in after ages put into writing in the Mishna and the Gemara. But it is more probable that the Ten Commandments alone are spoken of, and that the meaning is, "the tables of stone with the law, even the commandment."

Verse 15. - Moses went up into the mount . Having made the necessary arrangements for the government of the people during his absence, Moses ascended, in company with Joshua, to the upper part of the mountain, and there waited for some further summons. A cloud , or, rather, the cloud previously mentioned ( Exodus 19:16 ), stood gathered upon the highest eminence, and marked the special presence of God there. Moses, though called up into the mount, would not intrude into this inner sanctuary, until specially bidden to enter it. Exodus 24:15

15b–18a (P). Moses is summoned up into the cloud on the top of the mount. The verses are P’s parallel to the narrative of JE in ch. 19. 15b. The sequel in P to Exodus 19:1-2 a. the cloud ] the one which in P regularly enshrouds the ‘glory’ of Jehovah (cf. on the tabernacle, Exodus 40:34 f.; and the note on Exodus 13:21-22 , at the end). Here it covers the mount, immediately upon Israel’s arrival at Sinai: contrast Exodus 19:16 . 16 . the glory of Jehovah ] see on Exodus 16:10 . abode ] or dwelt : a word often used in P of Jehovah, the cloud, or the glory. Cf. Exodus 25:8 , Exodus 29:45-46 , Exodus 40:35 ; Numbers 5:3 ; Numbers 9:17-18 ; Numbers 9:22 ; Numbers 10:12 ; Numbers 35:34 ; and on Exodus 25:8-9 . 17 . The brilliance of the ‘glory’ broke through the cloud in which it was enveloped, and became visible to the people. devouring fire ] i.e. blazing fire. Cf. Isaiah 29:6 ; Isaiah 30:27 ; Isaiah 30:30 . 18b (E). The sequel (with the original connecting words omitted) follows in Exodus 31:18 b. That Moses, according to E, was some time to the mount, is evident from the terms of Exodus 32:1 : the ‘forty days’ are alluded to in Deuteronomy 9:9 ; Deuteronomy 9:11 .

14. he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us—There is a circular valley or hollow a good way up on the brow of Jebel Musa, which was their halting place, while he alone was privileged to ascend the highest peak. The people stood below, as in the "outer court," the elders in the "holy place," Moses, as a type of Christ, in "the holy of holies."

CHAPTER 24 Ex 24:1-18. Delivery of the Law and Covenant.Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu are commanded to appear before the Lord, Exodus 24:1. Who was to come near the Lord, Exodus 24:2. Moses buildeth an altar and twelve pillars, Exodus 24:4. He sends young men to sacrifice unto the Lord, Exodus 24:5. He sprinkles the altar with the blood, Exodus 24:6. The covenant being read, the people promise obedience, Exodus 24:7. The people are sprinkled with blood, Exodus 24:8. Moses and the elders of Israel see the Lord, Exodus 24:9,10. God promises to give to Moses tables of stone, Exodus 24:12. Moses and Joshua go up into the mount, Exodus 24:13. Aaron and Hur took care for the people in the mean time, Exodus 24:14. God’s glory on the mount, Exodus 24:15,16; appeareth like devouring fire, Exodus 24:17. Moses remains there forty days and forty nights, Exodus 24:18. After thou hast gone down and acquainted the people with my will, and received their answer, then come up again. This sense is gathered from the repetition of this command after that was done, Exodus 24:12. Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu; Aaron and his two eldest sons, whom by this special honour and favour he prepared for that office to which they were to be called, Exo 28.

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. Exodus 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 Exodus 32:17 that he was with him on the mountain, though, judging from Exodus 24:2 and Exodus 33:11 , he would not go into the immediate presence of God.