The Conclusion of the Covenant

 Exodus 23-24

      The covenant which was first introduced in chapter 20 concludes in chapter 23. First, we have more stipulations, especially Sabbath laws and festivals. These are intended to remind Israel that she is God’s holy people. The idea of a break in their week so that a whole day is set aside for rest may seem at first blush just about rest, and certainly, there is something important for our humanity in the notion of rest. We cannot work constantly; we do need time for renewal. I’ve preached different times about that, and one of my insights is that the way we 21^st century Americans play is almost as exhausting as working. “Work hard; play hard,” seems to be our motto. The problem is that it’s not very restorative. We might find our Sabbath more restorative if we concentrated on quality meals with family, quiet walks for reflection, even turning off our electronics and spending time together with family and friends, perhaps playing games, perhaps—what an old-fashioned idea—making music together. I think those would be beautiful, humanity-affirming ways to rest. But that’s only part of the Sabbath. The Sabbath also features worship, time dedicated to being in the presence of God and His blessings. By the end of this week, we will have read about Israel’s tabernacle. Eventually for Israel, Sabbath will kick off with time in the synagogue. For us Christians, our Sabbath (Sunday), begins with receiving God’s gifts in the Divine Service. Luther has the measure of the Sabbath’s intention when he says of the 3^rd Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.”

            I want to comment on one other thing and that is the finalizing of the covenant. Aaron and his two oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, along with the 70 elders of Israel are to join Moses before the Lord on the mountain. Before they come up, there is a sacrifice, and the blood is sprinkled on the people. In this case, that is, the sealing of a covenant, the blood sacrifice is a warning, “May our blood be shed if we don’t keep this covenant.” Notice that, at first, they are to stay at a distance. But in verse 9 they are invited into the very presence of God. Verse 11 is the important one, “But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.”

            Remember that the presence of God on the mountain in cloud and lightning had been a cause of terror for the people, and later in Exodus the Lord will tell Moses that no human can see His face and live. (This is why the Lord so often wrapped Himself in cloud; it was a way of mediating His presence so that people, Moses especially, could be in His presence.) So, it is remarkable that the Lord allowed the leaders of Israel this moment in His presence. It is a moment of sheer grace. I think this incident can help us understand our worship, especially the Lord’s Supper, to rejoice that we are allowed by grace into God’s presence, a presence hidden under bread and wine. I worry sometimes that we modern Christians have lost that sense of being in the presence of the holy God, and so we have lost some of the awe that Israel had, and losing that sense of awe, perhaps we don’t perceive the grace given as clearly, either.