The people's eager declaration, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient," is more than just a simple affirmation; it's a profound, albeit perhaps naive, embrace of covenant life. It highlights a crucial moment where they wholeheartedly commit to following God's word, setting the stage for the entire relationship between God and Israel.
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.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the Lord gives Moses the laws, he writes them down in a book, which he then reads aloud to the people. In response, the people enthusiastically pledge their obedience to all that God has spoken, affirming their commitment to the covenant. This declaration is made before sacrifices are offered and blood is sprinkled, solidifying the agreement between God and Israel.
Imagine holding the very first Bible! What was this 'Book of the Covenant,' and why was reading it so crucial?
This moment marks a monumental step: God's words are put into writing. This 'Book of the Covenant' contained the laws and promises God had given, forming the foundation of His agreement with Israel. It wasn't just spoken words; it was a tangible record of God's will and His faithfulness. Reading it aloud ensured everyone heard and understood the terms of this sacred relationship.
The people cry out, 'All that the LORD has spoken we will do!' What fuels such a strong declaration, and what does it truly mean?
The people's enthusiastic response, 'All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient,' is powerful. It's a declaration of wholehearted commitment to God's commands. However, the commentary reminds us that this promise, while sincere, doesn't fully account for their own human frailty. It's a faith-filled pledge, but one that ultimately points to their need for God's ongoing help and grace to fulfill it.
Ask a follow-up
The reading of the law is followed by blood. Why was blood essential to seal this agreement between God and His people?
The sprinkling of blood is the critical act that ratifies the covenant. Half the blood on the altar signifies God's commitment, and the other half sprinkled on the people signifies their commitment. This ritual, while stark, was a profound symbol of the seriousness and binding nature of the agreement. It powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood establishes a new and eternal covenant, offering full reconciliation and a way to truly obey God's commands.
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 continued desire to hear God's word directly, similar to their response in Exodus, but also foreshadows their inability to perfectly keep the commands without divine help.
Nehemiah 8:3This scene mirrors the reading of the Law, highlighting the importance of public proclamation and communal engagement with God's Word, leading to repentance and renewed commitment.
Joshua 24:16-18Here, the people again affirm their commitment to serving the Lord, echoing the declaration in Exodus, but Joshua reminds them of God's faithfulness and the potential dangers of disobedience.
Romans 10:3This verse critiques those who try to establish their own righteousness instead of submitting to God's, which is a warning to the Israelites' potentially overconfident promise in Exodus 24:7.
Hebrews 8:6This passage speaks of Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, established on better promises than the old covenant ratified in Exodus, which was based on human 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 people's eager declaration, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient," is more than just a simple affirmation; it's a profound, albeit perhaps naive, embrace of covenant life. It highlights a crucial moment where they wholeheartedly commit to following God's word, setting the stage for the entire relationship between God and Israel.
After the Lord gives Moses the laws, he writes them down in a book, which he then reads aloud to the people. In response, the people enthusiastically pledge their obedience to all that God has spoken, affirming their commitment to the covenant. This declaration is made before sacrifices are offered and blood is sprinkled, solidifying the agreement between God and Israel.
After the Lord gives Moses the laws, he writes them down in a book, which he then reads aloud to the people. In response, the people enthusiastically pledge their obedience to all that God has spoken, affirming their commitment to the covenant. This declaration is made before sacrifices are offered and blood is sprinkled, solidifying the agreement between God and Israel.
"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.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the bl…" — The people's eager declaration, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient," is more than just a simple affirmation; it's a profound, albeit perhaps naive, embrace of covenant…
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Last reviewed October 2026
