In this chapter we have a record of the formal ratification of the Old Covenant. Let us begin with a brief overview of the sequence of events:
A. God proposes to make a covenant with the nation of Israel.
B. The Lord gives the three forms of law which are the terms of the covenant.
C. Israel agrees to enter into this covenant.
D The covenant is formally ratified.
There is a feast that follows the making of the covenant.

As future studies will reveal it did not take Israel long to break this covenant. Our reflection upon these chapters should remind us to rejoice that in Christ we have a new and better covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13).

1. The Ratification Of The Old Covenant - Verses 1-8
Seventy five men are invited up on Mount Sinai to worship the Lord. There was Moses the prophet and his minister Joshua. Aaron and his sons went up as representatives of the future Levitical priesthood. The seventy elders no doubt represented the nation of Israel which began as seventy souls (Genesis 46:27). Moses alone as the mediator of the covenant drew near the Lord.
Notice now the manner in which the covenant was actually ratified:
A. Moses carefully repeated all the words of the covenant to Israel (verse 3).
B. The people agreed to the three types of law which made up the covenant (verse 3).
C. Moses recorded a copy of the covenant law of God (verse 4).
D. Moses built an altar at the base of Mt. Sinai and the twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes.
E. As there was not yet a Levitical priesthood (Numbers 3:41). Moses sent young men to make offerings unto the Lord (verse 5). To make this possible God had given instructions for a temporary altar until the tabernacle was complete (Exodus 20:24).
F. Moses took half of the blood and sprinkled it upon the altar (verse 6). The other half was set aside in basins.
G The covenant was formally ratified as the blood was sprinkled on the nation (verse 8). This event was used to prove the need of Christ's blood in the dedication of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:18-28).
H. Moses concluded by again reading the law or "book of the covenant" to which the people again assented (verse 7).

2. The Meal - Verses 9-11
The parties of a covenant usually engaged in a fraternal meal (Genesis 31:43-55). Does this help us to grasp the significance of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28)?
Concerning this feast on Mt. Sinai notice:
A. When it is said that they "saw God" it means that they saw a reflection of His glory. They did not see His glory or even a symbol of His presence (I Timothy 6:16, Deuteronomy 4:15-19). Under God was a pavement that was like the blue vault of Heaven. The sapphire stone is also mentioned in connection with God in Ezekiel 1:26.
B. The words of verse 11 record the amazing fact that instead of God destroying the men they feasted in His presence. This is amazing to those who understand the sinfulness of man and the holiness of God. They "saw" God but did not die as they were entering into covenant with Him as the blood of a substitute had been offered. Only through the blood of Christ can any sinner draw near the Lord (Ephesians 2:13). Outside of Christ God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

3. The Ascent Of Moses - Verses 12-18
A. After the feast Moses ascended Mt. Sinai where he received the tables of stone and the instructions for the Tabernacle. Aaron and Hur were left in charge during the forty days Moses was gone. The record concerning the golden calf remind us of how soon and how terribly the people broke the covenant.
B. Moses was summoned up to the top of Sinai which was covered with a cloud as a manifestation of His presence. On the seventh day God spoke to Moses and revealed His glory as a burning fire.
C. Moses spent forty days and forty nights receiving further instructions from the Lord. This reminds us of the fact that after Christ ratified the New Covenant with His blood He spent forty days after His resurrection teaching the disciples (Acts 1:3).