The Mosaic Covenant, pt. 2

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WEEK 6: The Mosaic Covenant (Part 2) – Renewal and Failure

Primary Texts

• Exodus 24:1–11 – Covenant ratification

• Exodus 32:1–35 – The golden calf incident

• With reference to Exodus 20–23 (covenant stipulations) and Exodus 34 (renewal)

Expositional Outline

I. Covenant Ratification: Worship, Word, and Blood (Exodus 24:1–11)

• vv.1–2: God calls Moses and the elders for a covenant meal — unique intimacy.

• vv.3–4: Moses writes down all the words of the Lord — the covenant is grounded in revelation.

• vv.5–8: Blood ceremony — altar (God) + people = mutual binding; "blood of the covenant."

• vv.9–11: They “saw God” and lived — extraordinary moment of divine fellowship.

II. Covenant Violation: The Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1–35)

• vv.1–6: While Moses is on the mountain, Israel demands a god they can see. Aaron yields.

• vv.7–10: God’s anger — “your people… whom you brought up…” (divine disowning).

• vv.11–14: Moses intercedes — appeals to God’s covenant name and promises.

• vv.15–20: Tablets shattered — visual sign of the broken covenant.

• vv.25–35: Judgment follows — 3,000 die. Moses pleads for atonement or exile in their place.

Original Language Insights

• סֵפֶר הַבְּרִית (sefer ha-berit) – “Book of the Covenant” (24:7) includes Ex. 20–23. This is written law, not oral — covenant includes both God’s word and human record.

• כָּרַת בְּרִית (karat berit) – “cut a covenant” — the blood ritual in v.8 links back to Genesis 15.

• כִּפֶּר (kipper) – “to atone” (32:30). Root of the term for atonement (Yom Kippur). Moses recognizes that intercession must involve substitution or removal of guilt.

Cross-References

• Hebrews 9:18–22 – Explicit reference to Exodus 24: the Mosaic covenant inaugurated with blood.

• Deuteronomy 9–10 – Moses retells the golden calf story, emphasizes God's mercy and covenant renewal.

• Jeremiah 31:32 – Refers back to this broken covenant as the reason for the new covenant.

• Romans 3:25–26 – Christ as the ultimate act of public atonement, in contrast to incomplete OT sacrifices.

Hermeneutical Analysis

Historical-Grammatical

• Ancient covenants were sealed with blood and a meal — both are present here. The people eating in God's presence (Ex. 24:11) is shocking: ancient kings rarely allowed such proximity.

• The golden calf incident mimics pagan enthronement feasts — idolatry often mixed religion and revelry.

Canonical

• The blood of the covenant (24:8) becomes the verbal backdrop for Jesus’ words in Luke 22:20 (“This is the blood of the new covenant…”).

• The failure of Israel immediately after receiving the law reveals the deep problem of the human heart — it foreshadows the need for internal transformation (cf. Ezekiel 36:26–27).

Redemptive-Historical

• Moses’ intercession (Ex. 32:11–14, 30–32) previews Christ’s mediatorial role (cf. Hebrews 3:1–6; 1 John 2:1–2).

• Covenant breaking and renewal are part of Israel’s rhythm — but each failure moves the narrative toward a covenant that cannot be broken.

Deep-Dive, Theologically Rich Insights

• Exodus 24:8 – “Behold the blood of the covenant…” – These are the exact words Jesus echoes at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20). The idea is not just forgiveness, but binding unity between God and His people.

• Moses breaks the tablets (Ex. 32:19) – This isn't temper; it’s a prophetic act — the covenant itself is shattered. The physical shattering reveals the spiritual rupture.

• Exodus 32:32 – “Blot me out of your book…” – Moses offers to be cut off in place of the people. This is a Christ-shaped intercession — substitutionary, self-sacrificial, but ultimately rejected by God, preparing for a better mediator.

• God’s patience is covenantal – Though justice falls (vv.26–28), God renews the covenant in Exodus 34. This shows the paradox of divine justice and mercy. The tension is only fully resolved in Christ (Romans 3:26).

Teaching or Preaching Application

Hook: Ask, “How long does it take to break a promise?” Israel breaks the covenant before Moses even comes down the mountain. This shows the fragility of human obedience — and the depth of divine mercy.

Application Points:

• Obedience flows from covenant relationship, not legalism — but covenant failure doesn’t catch God off guard.

• The blood of the covenant binds us to God — but only Christ’s blood can make that bond unbreakable.

• True intercession involves both justice and mercy — Moses points forward to a greater Mediator.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is blood so central to covenant-making in the Bible?

2. What does the golden calf incident teach us about the nature of idolatry?

3. How does Moses' intercession help us understand Jesus’ role as our mediator?

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