January 24, 2024 - Exodus 24-27

Another instance in which the Lord instructs the people and they strongly affirm their allegiance to the Lord and their commitment to obey him:  “Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do’” (24:3).  And again:  “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient” (24:7).  Not!  Even as we point our fingers at Israel for their seemingly half-hearted commitment to the Lord, we need always to remember that proverbial finger pointing back at ourselves.  Like Israel, we commit but then fail to follow through.  Like Israel, we intend to do all the Lord instructs but fail to do so.  And, so, for Israel and for us, how gracious of the Lord to provide a mercy seat (25:17) where he meets with us (25:22) and an altar (chapter 27) and forgives our sins!

Approach, my soul, the mercy seat,

where Jesus answers pray’r;

there humbly fall before His feet,

for none can perish there.

Thy promise is my only plea,

with this I venture nigh;

Thou callest burdened souls to Thee,

and such, O Lord, am I.

Bowed down beneath a load of sin,

by Satan sorely pressed,

by wars without, and fears within,

I come to Thee for rest.   –John Newton (1779)