Exodus 24

"Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you” (v8).  The covenant God made with the Israelites was full of mercy and blessing (He rescued them and led them into the Promised Land); yet, it was also preparation for the better things to come.  Moses, Aaron and Israel’s leaders saw God’s spectacular presence up on the mountain, and they “ate and drank” with Him (v11), but the people had to stay below and watch the fire and cloud.

We no longer have to remain at a distance from the mountain.  Hebrews tells us that we have come to “the city of the living God … to Jesus, mediator of the new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22-4).