Start well to end well

1. The people far from God

Exodus 24:8 NKJV

And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”

The people:

Satisfied with the outward show of moving religious spectacles.

Although this covenant made between the people was sealed with the blood of oxen on the alter and on the people, signifying an unbreakable agreement to keep said covenant, the people would soon prove unfaithful.

God initiates the covenant and the people twice agree to abide by what the Lord has laid out as His laws and conditions for their future success.

How often do we make verbal commitments to obey the Word of God, only to prove ourselves unfaithful liars?

We want the promises and blessings and power of God without the commitment.

Without the humility.

Without the reciprocal love involved.

There are those who claim to follow Jesus that "acknowledge Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him."

Jesus says in ...

(NKJV)

6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Is that you?

Is there a shallowness to your relationship with God?

Is there a shallowness to your relationship with God?

Are you unwilling to ascend the mountain of God and content to live just outside of His glorious presence so that you can live according to your own rules and abide by your understanding of truth?

The blood was shed and sprinkled on the alter and the people. A commitment was made to honor the Word of the Lord and walk in His ways. Weeks later the Israelites worshipped a golden calf and committed unthinkable acts.

(NKJV)

16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

2. The leaders unmoved

Exodus 24:9 NKJV

Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,

The second group of people highlighted are the leaders of Israel.

Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders ascended the mountain with Moses and Joshua.

They were answering the invitation of God to come up in vs. 1-2.

They were allowed to approach closer than the people, but to still worship "afar off".

These are people who are capable of some glimpses in to the eternal, but this has no permanent effect on their character.

Sapphire stone

Exodus 24:10 NKJV

and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.

They saw God!!!!

What did they see?

A footstool made of Sapphire stone:

Ezekiel's vision:

(NKJV)

26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

Utter beauty!

What did the Israelites make while in Egypt?

Bricks!! Stone work!

Like the heavens...

Eating and drinking with God

Exodus 24:11 NKJV

But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Make it a habit to eat and drink and behold God.

"Some eat and drink without beholding God; others behold God, and are too shy or afraid to eat and drink..."

God wants to enter into the spectacular and the mundane of life.

God desires an intimate relationship with you.

Look at Jesus in

(NKJV)

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

They didn't realize what was really going on.

If they had grasped the significance of the moment with God, they would have stood against the golden calf.

They would not have been silent.

It's all about how you finish:

Elders: perished in the desert and did NOT enter the promise land.

Nadab and Abihu: Consumed by fire on the very threshold of their priestly office.

"How near we may come to harbour, and yet be shipwrecked." F. B. Meyer

(NKJV)

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

3. Nothing less than God Himself

Exodus 24:13 NKJV

So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

Joshua: Fervent yet lacking clear vision. Will be satisfied with nothing less than God Himself.

(NKJV)

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Young believers in the faith that are zealous for good works and the presence of God.

What had Joshua done up until this time?

He battled the Amelekites (a picture of the flesh) and won!

Joshua's humility and hunger for God carried him through the 40 years in the wilderness and into the promise land to lead God's people.

Only Caleb and Joshua would have the privilege of experiencing beauty and fruit of the promise land.

How you start matters too.

4. Entering God’s presence

Exodus 24:16–18 NKJV

Now the glory of the Lord rested 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. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Moses entered God's presence only when summoned. 6 days of waiting and praying to then enter the flaming fire of God's presence.

This is our goal. To one day enter the presence of the Lord.

(NKJV)

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

Allow God to strip away everything that keeps you from His presence and wain on Him as a faithful servant.

"Grant to us grace, when our name is called, to be so clothed in the righteousness of Christ that we may not be ashamed or turned back!" F. B. Meyer