Now Draw Near

Scripture Reading: Exodus 24:1-11

“Worship from afar,” is how this chapter begins. And then the covenant is renewed, and Moses makes the offerings before God. Blood is thrown on the altar and the people. “Then,” begins verse nine, “Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel…they beheld God and ate and drank.”

This was an amazing turn of events. These men, like the three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, saw the glory of God and they lived. They not only lived, but they also had some degree of boldness and comfort in God’s presence, for they feasted before the Lord.

It should not slip our notice that this followed the shedding and sprinkling of blood. This was pointing toward the greater sacrifice that was to come. That sacrifice would open to us the very Holy of Holies. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, we can come boldly before the throne of God.

As the writer of Hebrews declares:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:19-22

Let us, now draw near.