101 — The History of Covenant Law, Part 4
The Ratification of Covenant Law, The Exodus 24 Account
The meticulous detail of our King and Creator is truly remarkable. The modern vernacular, “dotting every ‘i’ and crossing every ‘t’” comes to mind. Much of YoHeWaH’s commands fall under Ordinances, which are defined as a decree explaining how to carry out the rite of an order. Again, precise, essential specifics must be in place to meet YoHeWaH’s standards of excellence and lawful completeness.
Regarding Covenant Law, YoHeWaH is both His government's Executive and Legislative Branch. He proposed the direction of the law and prescribed those same laws in a codification of the body through His words, as Moses wrote in The Book of the Covenant… The exact words, YoHeWaH, were written on the first two stone tablets. That said, in this same vein, YoHeWaH can not be the Judicial Branch of the Republic of His Government.
Why?
Answer — As we have conveyed for years now, whether to judge a person rightly or not is based upon a good understanding of that person’s circumstances. There are many things YoHeWaH has never done. YoHeWaH has never lied. He is not a murderer. He has never committed adultery. He has never broken any of His commandments of Covenant Law, whether in the spirit or the physical flesh. I think you get my point. It is only an overcomer of these points of His law, having experienced the predicated outcome, that can rightly judge with a perfect balance of mercy and judgment, in a righteous faith.
At the time of the ancient giving of His law, even through the period of Israel, leading up to the time when He, YoHeWaH, would become flesh and tabernacle among men. That role was left to the judges within Israel throughout the ages, from Moses to John the Baptist.
Thus, it can be said that one of the judges' roles was to act as a mediator between man and YoHeWaH until the pre-existing Yeshua took that role during the so-called Church Age and continues to do so today.
A Judge is equal to a Mediator within YoHeWaH’s government, and vice versa. I’m not sure what believers think about those terms today. Judges and mediators ensure that everything is done according to the required methodology. Notice the following statement made concerning the institution of another set of laws by the Apostle Paul:
“Why then the (Levitical Priesthood) law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by A MEDIATOR. Now a mediator implies more than one, but YoHeWaH is one.” Galatians 3:19–20
The phrase “more than one” refers to the judges who lived from Moses to John, but once Christ came, overcame death, and was reinstated at the right hand of the Father, the Mediator became “one,” not many.
The Mediator of the Covenant Law was Moses throughout the ratification process. The term “Ratification” is defined as:
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid and lawful.
It is the dotting of every ‘i' and the crossing of every ‘t’. It is a closing procedure, as both parties fully understand the agreement's details.
After completing the giving of the Judgments portion of Covenant Law, YoHeWaH says this to Moses…
“Come up to YoHeWaH, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. Moses alone shall come near to YoHeWaH, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.” Exodus 24:1–2
Seventy-four human beings were to go up toward YoHeWaH for an event called “worship”, whatever that entails… But first, Moses returned to the people to tell all Israel the words that YoHeWaH had spoken. These are the exact words that people were too afraid to hear… An informal agreement was made, as the mediator's words begin.
“Moses came and told the people all the words of YoHeWaH and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that YoHeWaH has spoken we will do.” Exodus 24:3
Then the mediator becomes a scribe, as that faithful day closed… The 19th of the 3rd month.
“And Moses wrote down all the words of YoHeWaH.” Exodus 24:4
As the dawn of the 20th day arrived:
“Moses rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to YoHeWaH. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar.” Exodus 24:4–6
The order of these two offerings is essential to consider.
First, the requirement to have a burnt offering is listed. Then, the second, a peace offering. The burnt offering was for an atonement that had to be first made between YoheWaH and Israel—an atonement that bought Israel time… The occasion when Christ would come in the flesh as our example and propitiatory sacrifice. As we have discussed already, there are two types of atonement.
1 — The Atonement, which allows time for repentance, is what Yeshua’s sacrifice bought. This atonement is very much a work in progress.
2 — The Atonement, which completed the process, dissolving sin completely.
The burnt offering in this ratification event falls into the category of the atonement for a work in progress, not a type of The Day of Atonement, at all.
However, there was also a need for a peace offering. Unlike the burnt offering, the peace offering was to be eaten, much like a modern-day barbecue or a festival. It was a symbol of unity and agreement being made between YoHeWaH and the people of Israel. There was the shedding of blood, symbolic of Yeshua’s coming sacrifice and the “At-One-Ment” enjoyed in this covenant relationship.
“Then he (Moses) took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that YoHeWaH has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that YoHeWaH has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:7–8
The words “the blood of the covenant” are highly indicative of the words that Yeshua would one day speak on the night he was betrayed, as he instituted “The Renewed Covenant Passover.”
“And he (Yeshua) took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is MY BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:27–29
Yeshua’s use of the pronoun “MY,” as in “MY BLOOD OF THE COVENANT,” lets us know that the oxen killed at Sinai that faithful afternoon on the 20th of the third month was a typology of Yeshua, the Messiah. Again, this speaks to the type of atonement being made within this ratification, accordingly. This is a type of New Testament atonement, the very kind we are under today.
“Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the Mighty One of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; THEY BEHELD YoHeWaH, and ate and drank.” Exodus 24:9–11
Teachable Moment: Clearly, 74 persons not only saw but heard the voice of a member of the YoHeWaH family. The question begs, which member? Yeshua is recorded saying:
“No one has ever seen The Father; the only begotten The Father, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” John 1:18
And
“And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen.” John 5:37
And Paul writes concerning the Father:
“ — He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 1Peter 6:16
So, did the 74 people at Sinai see the member of the YoHeWaH family who is the Father?
No way!
Did those 74 see the pre-existent Yeshua?
Absolutely, 100%.
How do we know it wasn’t another member of the YoHeWaH family? Once again, Paul lends critical information.
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” 1Corinthians 10:4
This fact is very damning to all of “Law Abolishing” Christendom via this eye opening statement:
“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of YoHeWaH is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1John 2:3–6
Christianity has no idea that the very laws spoken and even written on tablets of stone were authored by their Champion of a very misguided understanding of grace. They are Yeshua’s commandments, or better said, YoHeWaH, the Father’s commandments spoken/given by the pre-existent Yeshua.
Moreover, these laws of covenant serve as the measuring stick for a believer's relationship with the risen Yeshua, or the lack thereof. But I digress… Back to the account in Exodus 24.
“YoHeWaH said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of YoHeWaH. And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.” Exodus 24:12–14
Teachable Moment: This text employs a critical typology. Please try to see this picture. You have four layers of people now at Sinai.
Layer number 1 — Moses on the top of the mountain with YoHeWaH
Layer number 2 — Moses’s one-day successor, Joshua, is between the top layer and the Elders of Israel, the other 72 persons who saw YoHeWaH. Joshua is the second layer down from YoHeWaH, located approximately three-quarters of the way up the mountain.
Layer number 3 — The Elders of Israel who saw YoHeWaH are probably at the mountain’s base.
Layer number 4 — The laity of Israel is standing far away, watching from a distance.
Now, please remember that the people of Israel are void of the indwelling of YoHeWaH’s Spirit. Thus, a standard, physical pyramid structure of governance is very much needed, and that’s what we see in this hierarchical structure. However, once YoHeWaH’s Spirit is introduced into the minds of Israel's laity, this pyramidal formation of government inverts, and Yeshua's words and Isaiah’s words concerning YoHeWaH’s government play out to perfection…
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25–28
And
“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:13–17
And
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of YoHeWaH of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:6–8
Now, to finish up Exodus 24…
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of YoHeWaH dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on THE SEVENTH DAY, he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of YoHeWaH was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” Exodus 24:15–18
It must be noted that YoHeWaH’s glory covered the mountain from 3-16 until 3-21. See Exodus 19 below. Then, on the Seventh Day Sabbath, 3–22, YoHeWaH spoke to Moses.
“Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because YoHeWaH had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and the Almighty answered him in thunder. YoHeWaH came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And YoHeWaH called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.” Exodus 19:18–20
Thus, Moses was on the mountain between 3–20 and 4-29, or 40 days and nights.
This concludes Part 4 of The History of Covenant Law. Up next, the Golden Calf Event.