God's Covenant and Glory on the Mountain
(Exodus 24)
After God gave the people His laws, He invited Moses, Aaron, and seventy elders to come up the mountain to meet with Him. Moses told the people all the words and laws of the Lord, and the people answered with one voice, "Everything the Lord has said, we will do!" To show that this was a serious promise, Moses built an altar and set up twelve stone pillars, one for each tribe of Israel. He offered sacrifices to God and took the blood from the offerings, sprinkling half on the altar and the other half on the people. This was called the blood of the covenant, which was a formal way of sealing their friendship and commitment to God.
Then Moses and the leaders went up the mountain. They saw something amazing! Under God's feet was something like a pavement made of bright blue sapphire stones, as clear as the sky itself. Even though they saw the glory of God, He did not hurt them; they actually shared a meal right there in His presence! Afterward, God called Moses to go even higher up the mountain to receive stone tablets with His laws written on them. A thick cloud covered Mount Sinai, and the presence of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Moses stayed there in the clouds for forty days and forty nights, waiting to hear more from God about His holy covenant with His people.
Just as the elders saw the beautiful blue sapphire pavement, we can see how God uses physical things to help us understand His beauty. When we look at the clear blue sky or the vastness of the stars, we are seeing the logic of creation that points back to a powerful and orderly Creator who wants us to know Him.
A Curious Question
If you were invited to a special dinner with the King of the whole universe on top of a mountain, what is the one thing you would want to ask Him about His plans for the world?
Jesus Connection
In this story, Moses uses the blood of a sacrifice to seal the promise between God and the people. This points directly to Jesus Christ, who gave His own life to start a new and better promise. During the Last Supper, Jesus said His blood was the blood of the new covenant. Because of the gospel, we don't have to stay at the bottom of the mountain; we are invited to be close to God forever because Jesus paid for our sins and made us God's family.
Discussion Questions
- How did the people respond when they heard God's laws?
- What did the leaders see under God's feet when they went up the mountain?
- Why do you think God invited the leaders to eat a meal in His presence?
- How does it make you feel to know that God wants to have a "covenant," or a special friendship, with His people?
“So What” What Can I do?
- The people promised to obey God. What is one way you can show God you love Him by obeying Him today?
- God's glory was like a bright fire. How can you shine God's light to your friends this week?
- The leaders spent time with God on the mountain. How can you find a "quiet mountain" spot in your house to talk to God?
Memorize God's Word
Exodus 24:7 - "Everything the Lord has said, we will do."
- Everything (Open arms wide in a circle)
- the Lord has said (Point to your mouth)
- we will do (Hammer one fist onto the other palm)
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You for wanting to be our friend and for making a special covenant with us. Thank You for the beauty of Your creation and for sending Jesus to seal a new promise with His love. Help us to be like the Israelites who said they would do everything You ask. We want to follow You with all our hearts. Amen.
Craft: The Sapphire Pavement
Create a beautiful suncatcher that reminds kids of the sapphire blue pavement the elders saw under God's feet.
Materials Checklist
Instructions
- Cut a large square frame out of the black construction paper.
- Peel a square of contact paper and stick the black frame onto the sticky side.
- Fill the inside of the frame with different shades of blue tissue paper to represent the sapphire pavement.
- Seal the back with another piece of contact paper.
- Use silver glitter glue to write "Exodus 24" or "God's Glory" on the frame.
- Tape it to a window so the light shines through the blue "sapphires."
Effective Teaching Techniques
- Sensory Teaching: Use a blue gemstone or a piece of blue glass to show the kids what sapphire looks like. Pass it around so they can see how clear and bright it is.
- Visual Aid: Use a flashlight behind a red or orange piece of fabric to simulate the "consuming fire" Moses saw on the mountain.
- Simplify Concepts: Explain that a "covenant" is like a super-promise that can never be broken. Use the example of a marriage or a very serious contract to help older kids understand the weight of the word.