Exodus 24:7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The most striking part here isn't just their declaration to obey, but that they repeat their promise from earlier in the chapter (v. 3) after hearing the "Book of the Covenant" read aloud. This repetition, especially after the full weight of God's commands has been laid out, highlights a bold, perhaps even naive, confidence in their own strength.
After receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws from God on Mount Sinai, Moses wrote them down in a book. He then gathered the people to formally establish the covenant, building an altar and offering sacrifices to seal the agreement between God and Israel. This reading and their enthusiastic response marks the official ratification of the covenant, a pivotal moment where the people committed to obeying God's commands.
Imagine receiving a legally binding contract – it needs to be written down to be official. This is exactly what happens here, but with eternal stakes.
In Exodus 24, Moses doesn't just relay God's words; he records them in a "Book of the Covenant." This act transforms spoken instructions into a tangible agreement.
When faced with the very words of God, what's your immediate reaction? For the Israelites, it was a resounding, unified commitment.
The people's response, "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient," is more than just agreement; it's a profound declaration of intent and a foundational moment for their nation.
Understand the original words
berith · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between two parties, often involving promises, obligations, and consequences. In Scripture, it describes the relational relationship between God and His people, initiated and sustained by His grace.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, proper name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and holiness. It is the name by which He revealed Himself to Israel as their Savior.
shama · Hebrew Verb
The act of hearing and acting upon a divine command. It involves submission to the authority of God and performing the requirements of His revealed will.
This passage shows the people's initial awe and commitment to God's commands, similar to Exodus 24:7, but also hints at their awareness of their own limitations in fully obeying.
Joshua 24:21-22Here, Joshua reminds the Israelites of their commitment to serve the Lord, echoing their promise in Exodus 24:7 and questioning their sincerity in light of their history.
Romans 10:5-8Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30:12-14 to contrast the old covenant's demand for obedience with the new covenant's righteousness found through faith in Christ's finished work.
Hebrews 8:6-13This passage explains how the New Covenant, established on better promises through Jesus, fulfills the Old Covenant and writes God's law on our hearts, making obedience more intrinsic.
Nehemiah 8:1-10During Ezra's reading of the Law, the people wept upon hearing the Word, showing a profound emotional response to God's commands and a desire for understanding and obedience.
calvinExodus 24:1-18: "And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off."
- Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu. Before Moses erected the tabernacle and consecrated it by a solemn ceremony, it was necessary for him to fetch the Tables of the Covenant, which were a pledge of God's favor; otherwise, if the ark had nothing in it, the sanctuary would have been in a manner empty. For this rea…
pulpitExodus 24:7: "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient."
Verse 7. - And he took the Book of the Covenant. In this book we have the germ of the Holy Scriptures - the first "book" actually mentioned as written in the narrative of the Bible. Genesis may contain other older documents, inserted by Moses, under the sanction of the Holy Spirit, in his compilation. But his own composition, if we…
The most striking part here isn't just their declaration to obey, but that they repeat their promise from earlier in the chapter (v. 3) after hearing the "Book of the Covenant" read aloud. This repetition, especially after the full weight of God's commands has been laid out, highlights a bold, perhaps even naive, confidence in their own strength.
After receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws from God on Mount Sinai, Moses wrote them down in a book. He then gathered the people to formally establish the covenant, building an altar and offering sacrifices to seal the agreement between God and Israel. This reading and their enthusiastic response marks the official ratification of the covenant, a pivotal moment where the people committed to obeying God's commands.
After receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws from God on Mount Sinai, Moses wrote them down in a book. He then gathered the people to formally establish the covenant, building an altar and offering sacrifices to seal the agreement between God and Israel. This reading and their enthusiastic response marks the official ratification of the covenant, a pivotal moment where the people committed to obeying God's commands.
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"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”" — The most striking part here isn't just their declaration to obey, but that they repeat their promise from earlier in the chapter (v. 3) after hearing the "Book of the Covenant" read aloud. This r…
