What is the meaning of Exodus 24:17? the sight of the glory of the LORD • Scripture tells us the people “looked” and actually saw something real, not imagined. Earlier, in Exodus 16:10, “the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.” That same, literal glory now becomes visible again. • Glory in Scripture is often portrayed as overwhelming brightness (Ezekiel 1:28; Matthew 17:2). Here, it is no distant idea—it is God’s tangible presence, affirming that He truly came down to covenant with His people (Exodus 24:9–11). was like a consuming fire • The Spirit chooses the word picture of fire because it conveys both purity and danger. In Exodus 19:18 “Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire.” Deuteronomy 4:24 reminds Israel, “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire.” • Fire burns away impurity (Malachi 3:2–3) and judges sin (Leviticus 10:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8). To a redeemed people, that same fire provides light and warmth (Exodus 13:21). Both mercy and majesty radiate from the same blaze. on the mountaintop • God chose an elevated place, setting a clear boundary between the holy and the common (Exodus 19:12–13). The height teaches transcendence; yet He still invites Moses to draw near (Exodus 24:2). • Similar “mountaintop moments” recur—Elijah on Carmel (1 Kings 18:38) and Jesus at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28–29)—each time underscoring that revelation often comes where God lifts the eyes and hearts of His servants. in the eyes of the Israelites • This line emphasizes perspective: the glory appeared “like” fire to them. What they perceived matched their capacity; still, it was entirely real. Psalm 97:3 echoes, “Fire goes before Him.” • By including the people’s viewpoint, the text urges every generation to reckon with God’s holiness personally, not merely through secondhand report (Hebrews 12:18–21). • Their fearful awe prepared them to obey the covenant they had just affirmed (Exodus 24:7–8). The vision sealed the seriousness of their “we will do” with heaven’s own display. summary Exodus 24:17 records a literal, visible manifestation of God’s glory. Israel gazed up and saw purifying, powerful fire crowning Sinai, marking the mountain as holy ground. The scene joins God’s covenant love with His consuming holiness, calling His people to reverent obedience while assuring them of His nearness. |
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