THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL

(A PAVEMENT OF SAPPHIRE)

Exodus 24:1-11

Key Verse 24:11

But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Read vs.1- 8. Verse 3 reads, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” Verse 7 also reads, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” What is (or are) included in “everything” (cf. 24:4; 19:1-23:33)?

Verse 7 refers to “the Book of the Covenant” and verse 8 mentions about “the blood of the covenant”. Who are the parties to the covenant? What are the contents of the covenant? What is the significance of “the blood” (as in “this is the blood”) sprinkled upon the people?

Read verses 9-10a and think about the expression, “saw the God of Israel.” What does “Israel” mean? What do the Scriptures (especially Genesis) say about the God “of Israel”? 

Verse 10b states, “Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire…” Compare this passage with “bricks made of straw” in Exodus 5 (such as 5:7 or 14). What do “pavement” and “bricks” have in common? How is a “pavement made of sapphire” different from “bricks made of straw”? Why do you think (take a guess) God chose to let this be seen under his feet during their fellowship with him?

Read verse 11. This verse indicates that God could have raised his hands against them, and yet chose not to. Why?

According to verse 11 they not only saw God but also “ate and drank.” What is the significance of eating and drinking with someone? 

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