Exodus 26 - The Tabernacle

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com
"In this chapter in the book of Exodus, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle.  God specifically tells Moses how everything is to be laid out in the tabernacle and tells him what materials to use."

Exodus 26 Amplified Bible (AMP)

https://www.biblegateway.com

Curtains of Linen
“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle (sacred tent of worship) with ten [interior] curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric; you shall make them with [embroidered] cherubim, the handwork of a skillful craftsman. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all of the curtains shall measure the same. 3 The five curtains shall be joined to one another, and the other five curtains shall be joined to one another. 4 You shall make loops of blue on the outer edge of the last curtain in the first set, and likewise in the second set. 5 You shall make fifty loops on the one curtain, and fifty loops on the edge of the last curtain that is in the second set. The loops on one curtain correspond to the loops on the other. 6 You shall make fifty gold hooks, and fasten the curtains together with the hooks; and the tabernacle shall be one unit.

 https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/321092648419501912/?lp=true

• SKILLFUL HANDS.The Lord continued to give detailed instructions about the building of the tabernacle, or God's sanctuary. It was elaborate, accurate, and meant to be followed exactly. I find that truly amazing. God is a God who knows everything, and He has a great purpose for every 'little' thing. Everything is significant. He is a God of order. Also I noticed how God mentioned 'the handwork of a skillful craftsman'-- the embroidery of cherubim will take a lot of patience and dedication, as well as everything, to make it perfect. God wants excellence from His people, because He is the excellent God who is also the source of all skills and talents and strength imaginable. We are God's handiwork and masterpiece, and we have been made according to His image and likeness.
  

"First, the tabernacle is seen as a tented palace for Israel’s divine king. He is enthroned on the ark of the covenant in the innermost Holy of Holies (the Most Holy Place). His royalty is symbolized by the purple of the curtains and his divinity by the blue. The closer items are to the Holy of Holies, the more valuable are the metals (bronze→silver→gold) of which they are made.
The other symbolic dimension is Eden. The tabernacle, like the garden of Eden, is where God dwells, and various details of the tabernacle suggest it is a mini-Eden. These parallels include the east-facing entrance guarded by cherubim, the gold, the tree of life (lampstand), and the tree of knowledge (the law). Thus God’s dwelling in the tabernacle was a step toward the restoration of paradise, which is to be completed in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21-22)." https://davidschrock.com

Curtains of Goats’ Hair
7 “Then you shall make [exterior] curtains of goats’ hair as a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains in all. 8 Each curtain shall be thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. The eleven curtains shall all measure the same. 9 You shall join five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the front of the tent [to make a closed door]. 10 Make fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.

11 “You shall make fifty bronze hooks and put the hooks into the loops and join the tent together so that it may be one unit. 12 The overlapping part that is left over from the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over, shall lap over the back of the tabernacle. 13 The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent shall lap over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and the other side, to cover it. 14 You shall make a third covering for the tent of rams’ [a]skins dyed red, and a fourth covering above that of [b]porpoise skins.

 https://www.miltongoh.net/miltons-blog/josephprincefourtimescovering

Boards and Sockets
15 “Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright [as a trellis-like frame]. 16 The length of each board shall be ten cubits and the width of each board shall be one and a half cubits. 17 Make two dovetails in each board for fitting [them] together; you shall do the same for all the tabernacle boards. 18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle [in the following quantities]: twenty boards for the south side. 19 You shall make forty silver sockets under the twenty boards, two sockets under each board for its two dovetails, and two sockets under another board for its two dovetails; 20 for the north side of the tabernacle there shall be twenty boards, 21 and their forty silver sockets, two sockets under each board. 22 For the back or west side of the tabernacle you shall make six boards. 23 Make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear [on both sides]. 24 They shall be joined together underneath, and joined together on top with one ring. So shall it be for both of them; they shall form the two [rear] corners. 25 There shall be eight boards and sixteen silver sockets; two sockets under each board.
26 “Then you shall make [fifteen] bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the rear end of the tabernacle, for the back wall toward the west. 28 And the middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through [horizontally] from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold to hold the bars. You shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 You shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan [the direction corresponding to its meaning and purpose] which has been shown to you on the mountain.

https://www.slideshare.net/Henoch2012/tabernacle-atonement

The Veil and Screen
31 “You shall make a veil [to divide the two rooms] of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen, skillfully worked with cherubim on it. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars (support poles) of acacia wood overlaid with gold, with gold hooks, on four silver sockets. 33 You shall hang the veil from the hooks [that connect the curtains together], and you shall bring the ark of the Testimony there within the veil. The veil shall separate for you the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. 34 You shall put the [c]mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies. 35 You shall set the table [for the bread] outside the veil [in the Holy Place] on the north side, and the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle.
36 “You shall make a screen [to provide a covering] for the doorway of the tent of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and finely woven [embroidered] linen, the work of an embroiderer. 37 You shall make five pillars (support poles) of acacia wood to support the hanging curtain and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five [base] sockets of bronze for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifjX3cdRnvU

• EVERYTHING POINTS TO CHRIST. This chapter was full or elaborate measurements and instructions of making God's tabernacle for all the people of Israel (through the leadership of Moses).. How Moses was able to record it all for the people and in the Bible was exceptional. God is really great and powerful. Though my simple mind couldn't grasp everything, I know that everything points to Christ. Salvation. And our real home that is in heaven. 

 After reading, I always check out the Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik (very helpful!):

 i. The plans for the tabernacle were revealed to Moses from the inside out, starting with the interior furniture and then working out. We approach the sanctuary from the outside in, but God builds the sanctuary from the inside out. He works in His people according to the same pattern.

b. Fine woven linen…with artistic designs of cherubim: The designs on this covering were visible only from the inside of the tabernacle. Therefore, on the inside of the tabernacle, one saw cherubim all around – as one would see in heaven (Psalm 80:1, Isaiah 37:16, and Ezekiel 10:3).  

 e. So that it may be one tabernacle: The spiritual principle illustrated with this method of joining the curtains is unity in diversity. It is the same idea of Romans 12:5: we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

i. Silver is the metal associated with redemption and payment for sin (Exodus 21:32, Leviticus 5:15, 27:3, 27:6, Numbers 18:16, and Deuteronomy 22:19). Jesus was betrayed for silver (Matthew 26:15). The tabernacle’s foundation was silver – pointing to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
ii. Perhaps the dual nature of the foundation had to do with the two sources of revelation – the Old and New Testaments.
iii. The silver of redemption also separated the tabernacle from the dirt of the desert floor. This is an illustration of the truth that Jesus’ redeeming work separates us from the world.

 c. According to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain: The repetition of this phrase (Exodus 25:9, 25:40 and here in Exo 26:30) suggests that Moses received a vision of exactly how the tabernacle should look. He had to communicate this vision to the craftsmen who did the actual building.
i. God works the same way in leaders today. He gives them a vision of what His work should be, and the leader passes it on to others who will do much of the actual work. Moses could not have remained silent about what God had shown him, or the work would never have gotten done.

i. This veil was a barrier, and no priest could go beyond the veil into the Most Holy place except the high priest. He could only enter once a year, and that on the Day of Atonement.
ii. Spiritually speaking, in dying for our sins Jesus with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
iii. In the temple, this veil was torn from top to bottom at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:51), showing that through His death, there is no longer a barrier to the Most Holy place.
iv. Now the Most Holy Place is open to us: brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh (Hebrews 10:19-20). The torn veil of Matthew 27:51 also symbolizes the broken body of Jesus, through which we have access to the Most Holy Place.

 b. Set the table outside the veil: The table of showbread was on the north side of the tabernacle (on the right as one entered the tabernacle) and the lampstand was toward the south (on the left as one entered the tabernacle).
i. The furniture in the holy place spoke of three great obligations of walking with God: prayer (the altar of incense), fellowship (the table of showbread), and to receive illumination (the lampstand).

 b. Five pillars of acacia wood: The screen hung from hooks on five pillars. Each pillar was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold and set on a foundation of bronze.
i. Since bronze (or brass) must be made with a refining fire, it pictures purity and endurance through trial. The entrance to the tabernacle hung on a symbolic foundation of what Jesus did for us. 

 Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-26.cfm ©2013 David Guzik      

Exodus 25 - Offerings for the Sanctuary, The Ark of the Testimony, The Table for the Showbread, The Gold Lampstand

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com
"God tells Moses to take up an offering from the Israelites in order to build the sanctuary tabernacle and all its furnishings.  God tells Moses to build a sanctuary for Him, and gives him precise details of how it is to be built.  The design of the tabernacle as well as all its furnishings include: The Ark of the Covenant, Mercy Seat on top of the Ark, a table which holds the bread of the Presence of God at all times, a single lampstand made of 75 pounds of pure gold with seven branched out lampstands with seven lamps, and in Chapter 26 God tells Moses to build the Tabernacle with ten curtains and directions for how everything is to be laid out within the tabernacle."

 

 https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/464363411579822608/

 Exodus 25 Amplified Bible (AMP)

https://www.biblegateway.com 

Offerings for the Sanctuary
25 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell the children of Israel to take an offering for Me. From every man whose heart moves him [to give willingly] you shall take My offering. 3 This is the offering you are to receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue, purple, and scarlet fabric, fine twisted linen, goats’ hair, 5 rams’ [a]skins dyed red, [b]porpoise skins, [c]acacia wood, 6 [olive] oil for lighting, [d]balsam for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 [e]onyx stones and setting stones for the [priest’s] ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 Have them build a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. 9 You shall construct it in accordance with everything that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture.

•  PREPARING FOR HIS EXCELLENCE. The Israelites were commanded by God to take and bring an offering to Him, and the offerings were excellent things that shall be used for God's glory-- for the priests, and for the building of God's sanctuary. Still, the Israelites were to give according to their hearts, what they were willing to give and offer. The Lord is an excellent God who is worthy of all the best, most excellent and outstanding things-- still, He does not force us and He has given us free will or freedom to choose. Since God is the source of everything, and He is our ultimate provider, let us strive to bring our best to God, knowing that He will sustain and continue to provide for us. Here, I feel like God is teaching the Israelites a new lifestyle, a new way of living with a fear of the Lord, and faith in Him (for He is the God who has rescued them from the slavery and oppression of Egypt.)
  

Footnotes: Exodus 25:5 The finished product would be similar to morocco leather.
Exodus 25:5 The meaning of the Hebrew word is not certain; some scholars have suggested that the material is instead a fine leather of unspecified origin.
Exodus 25:5 The acacia tree grows wild in the Sinai region. The organic compounds in its wood, which is harder than oak, repel insects and grazing animals.
Exodus 25:6 Various pleasantly scented plant products.
Exodus 25:7 There is usually uncertainty about the identification of precious stones mentioned in the Bible.

"Acacia growing in Wadi el-Tor in the Sinai Peninsula. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins."

https://ferrelljenkins.blog

Ark of the Covenant
10 “They shall make an ark of acacia wood two and a half [f]cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. 11 You shall overlay the ark with pure gold, overlay it inside and out, and you shall make a gold border (frame) around its top. 12 You shall cast four gold rings for it and attach them to the four feet, two rings on either side. 13 You shall make [carrying] poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, 14 and put the poles through the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry it. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it [so that the ark itself need not be touched]. 16 You shall put into the ark the Testimony (Ten Commandments) which I will give you.
17 “You shall make a [g]mercy seat (cover) of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. 18 You shall make two cherubim (winged angelic figures) of [solid] hammered gold at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at each end, making the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing each other. The faces of the cherubim are to be looking downward toward the mercy seat. 21 You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony which I will give you. 22 There I will meet with you; from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, I will speak [intimately] with you regarding every commandment that I will give you for the Israelites.
 

https://www.neverthirsty.org

• EXQUISITE AND DETAILED DESIGN. The 'Ark of the Covenant' somehow reminds me of the time God commanded Noah to build an ark, with complete details, exact measurements, specific materials to be used, and the purpose of why it should be built. I wonder if there's a significant symbolism or meaning to that. Anyway, a lot of pure gold will be used in building it, so that's how important it is. The purpose is it will house the ark of testimony or Ten Commandments. The Lord was very serious about it, because He was very serious is saving us--through His Son, Jesus. 'Gold', to me, represents God's riches here on earth. I tried to read about how it is usually formed, but I couldn't comprehend much of the scientific explanations and theories about its origins. All I know is it's rare, and it is God who made and formed it. There were also many verses in the Bible wherein 'gold' was used as a symbolism:

"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts." Proverbs 17:3

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:6-9

"Therefore I love Your commandments. More than gold, yes, than fine gold!" Psalm 119:127

"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Footnotes: Exodus 25:10 Ancient measurements like the cubit were intended to be practical in that they usually were equivalent to something that was handy and readily available. The cubit was the distance from the elbow to the outstretched fingers, and the hand width (v 25)—as its name implies—was the width of the four fingers.
Exodus 25:17 This was a special cover serving as the place of atonement for sin, where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice to reconcile the Israelites to God.
 
The Table of Bread
23 “You shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high. 24 You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a border of gold around the top of it. 25 You shall make a rim of a hand width around it; you shall make a gold border for the rim around it. 26 You shall make four gold rings for it and fasten them at the four corners that are on the table’s four legs. 27 The rings shall be close against the rim as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them. 29 You shall make its plates [for the showbread] and its cups [for incense] and its pitchers and bowls for sacrificial drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 You shall set the bread of the [h]Presence (showbread) on the table before Me at all times.

 

https://scriptoriumblogorium.blogspot.com

• JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE. The Table for Showbread was also given great importance, like the Ark of Covenant-- a lot of gold will be used as well. Everytime the Bible mentions or talks about bread, I always think of our Lord and Savior Jesus. He is the Bread of Life. 

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes." 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Golden Lampstand
31 “You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The [i]lampstand and its base and its shaft shall be made of hammered work; its cups, its [j]calyxes and its flowers shall be all of one piece with it. 32 Six branches shall come out of its sides; three branches of the lampstand out of the one side and three branches of the lampstand out of its other side [the shaft being the seventh branch]. 33 Three cups shall be made like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and a flower on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms on the other branch with a calyx and a flower—so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand; 34 and in the [center shaft of the] lampstand [you shall make] four cups shaped like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and their flowers. 35 A calyx shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a calyx under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a calyx under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. 36 Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37 Then you shall make the lamps [of the lampstand] [k]seven in number [with one lamp at the top of the shaft]. The priests shall set up its seven lamps so that they will light the space in front of it. 38 Its snuffers and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 It shall be made from a talent (50-80 lbs.) of pure gold, including all these utensils. 40 See that you make them [exactly] after their pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.

https://markblord.wordpress.com

Footnotes: Exodus 25:30 Lit Face.
Exodus 25:31 In Hebrew, menorah.
Exodus 25:31 Leaf-like outer part of the flower.
Exodus 25:37 The first objective evidence of the sevenfold lamp was found during an excavation of Tel Beit Mirsim, south of Jerusalem, where seven-armed lamps dated about 1200 b.c. were found. The seventh season at the Dothan excavation uncovered three sevenfold lamps from the period 1400-1200 b.c.

• JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. The golden lampstand that will be used as a light has 7 lamps, and many details that I'm sure has a lot of meaning and symbolism to it. All in all I just thought of who Lord Jesus is, He is the Light of the world. Wow. Everything points to the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ, it's amazing!

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
 
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8 

"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world." John 1:9
 
"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6
"I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." John 12:46



 * Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik: 
 i. Our giving should not be primarily because of need. We should primarily give because our willing heart compels us.
 b. Bring Me an offering: God is a rich God and can use any method of providing He wants. Yet He usually uses the willing hearts of His people as the way to support His work.
 ii. This is because God wants to develop giving hearts within us. When we become givers we become more like God, who is the greatest giver: For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).
 iii. Therefore we must be givers, not so much because God or the church needs our money, but because we must be conformed into the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29).

 a. Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them: The purpose of the tabernacle was to be the dwelling place of God. The idea was not that God exclusively lived in that place, but that it was the specific place where men could come and meet God.
 i. Sanctuary: “Means ‘holy’ place or ‘the place set apart.’ Everything about the tabernacle was holy. The same word in 1 and 2 Chronicles refers to the temple.” (Kaiser)

 c. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings: It is evident that God not only described the tabernacle and its furnishings to Moses, but also did show him something of its structure and arrangement. There was a vision that accompanied the giving of these words.
i. The pattern of the tabernacle was according to a heavenly reality. It was a copy and shadow of the heavenly things (Hebrews 8:5). Therefore, it had to be made according to exact dimensions, being somewhat of a “scale model” of the area around God’s throne in heaven.

 a. They shall make an ark: The first item God told Moses to build was the ark, later called the Ark of the Covenant. This was the most important single item associated with the tabernacle, modeled after the throne of God in heaven.

 c. I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim: It was as if God, looking down from His dwelling place between the cherubim, saw the law in the Ark – and knew we were guilty of breaking His law. But atoning blood of sacrifice was sprinkled on the mercy seat, so that God saw the blood covering the breaking of His law – and forgiveness could be offered.
i. It is remarkable that even before God gave Moses the tablets of the Ten Commandments, God made provision for Israel’s failure under the law.

 a. And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always: On the table of showbread were set twelve loaves of showbread – literally, “bread of faces.” This was bread associated with, and to be eaten before, the face of God.
 i. “In the East a table was always the symbol of fellowship. Thus the people were reminded of the possibility created of constant communion with God.” (Morgan)
ii. Meyer calls the showbread “presence-bread.” Bread is necessary for survival, and the link was a reminder that fellowship with God was just as necessary for man.

 b. Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch: The repetition of the almond blossom motif was important because it was the first tree to blossom in the springtime. It reminded everyone of new life and the fresh nature of God’s ongoing work.

 a. You shall make seven lamps for it: The tabernacle represented the court of God’s throne, and Revelation 4:5 describes Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. The seven lamps represent the presence of the Holy Spirit in heaven.
 i. “The symbolism might be that of the light which God’s presence brings to His people (Numbers 6:25), remembering that light, in the Old Testament, is also a symbol of life and victory (Psalm 27:1).” (Cole)  

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-25.cfm ©2013 David Guzik     

Exodus 24 - Israel Affirms the Covenant

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com
"God tells Moses to take Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel's elders up to Mt. Sinai and bow/worship the Lord at a distance.  Moses alone is to approach God.  Moses tells all the Israelites the commands and ordinances of the Lord.  The people of Israel agree to follow the commands.  Moses then writes everything down to keep track of the various laws.  The next morning Moses sets up an altar with 12 pillars symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel.  The Israelites offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls to the Lord.  Moses sprinkles bull blood on the people symbolizing God's covenant with them.  God then tells Moses to ascend the mountain of God again as God intends to give Moses stone tablets with the Ten Commandments and other laws and instructions for the Israelites.  Moses remains on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights."

 http://www.keyway.ca/htm2013/20131006.htm

Exodus 24 Amplified Bible (AMP)

 https://www.biblegateway.com

People Affirm Their Covenant with God
24 Then God said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu (Aaron’s older sons), and seventy of Israel’s elders, and you shall worship at a [safe] distance. 2 Moses alone shall approach the Lord, but the others shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.”

• TRIBE OF PRIESTS. The Levites or Tribe of Levi were a priestly tribe. Here, we read how God used Moses, along with Aaron and his sons (who were Levites) in Mt. Sinai, where God encountered Israel and established His Laws and Commandments for the preparation of the claiming of the 'promised land', that will become the nation wherein the Messiah will come from (Jesus, the Son of God). They were joined by 70 elders (or leaders) of Israel. They shall worship at a safe distance, so in a way, they stand in the gap, and they were like prayer intercessors for all the Israelites.

3 Then Moses came and told the people everything that the Lord had said and all the ordinances. And all the people answered with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Then he got up early in the morning, and built an altar [for worship] at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars (memorial stones) representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in large basins, and [the other] half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people; and they said, “Everything that the Lord has said we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 So Moses took the blood [which had been placed in the large basins] and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

• THE STRENGTH OF MOSES. How awesome it is that Moses was able to obey God and do all the things that God instructed and commanded him. For a while I pondered about the amount of strength, stamina, patience, and diligence that it took Moses to do everything God said as the mediator or messenger to all the Israelites (with the help of Aaron and the elders/leaders). It all came from God. Maybe Moses did not felt tired, hungry or close to giving up at Mt. Sinai, because God was sustaining him all throughout. Praise God! As a mediator/messenger, Moses was a type and picture of Lord Jesus.
• 12 PILLARS OF STONE. This chapter, and specifically the events at Mt. Sinai are full of significant symbolism from God. From 70 elders, to 12 pillars of stone to represent the 12 tribes of Israel, in the altar built by Moses wherein they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. The blood of the sacrificed young bulls represents the blood of the lamb, that will take away the sins of the world, one day-- Lord Jesus, the Son of God (John 1:29). But for now, the people were in the Abrahamic Covenant, and Mosaic Covenant (Sinaitic covenant). Though the people promised and made a covenant to the Lord that “Everything that the Lord has said we will do, and we will be obedient.” (v.7), the promised Son of God will be the one to fulfill it in our behalf. Because we failed, we sinned, we disobeyed-- we cannot save ourselves, we need a Savior. And He already came for us, He has pour out His blood on the cross, sacrificed as the perfect lamb, finished the work, defeated death, and redeem us all. All we need to do is to believe and be saved by grace, follow God's ways with the help of the Holy Spirit given to us.❤️

http://lajupaulk3.blogspot.com/2010/03/famous-prhistoric-12-standing-stones-at.html

https://www.parentandchildbiblereading.com/project/called-into-gods-presence/ 

9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up [the mountainside], 10 and they saw [a manifestation of] the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, just as clear as the sky itself. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the Israelites; and they saw [the manifestation of the presence of] God, and ate and drank.

• PAVEMENT OF SAPPHIRE. I was like, whaaaaaat! Wow😍😍😍🙌 They said heaven will have golden streets (Revelation 21:18-21, The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.), so what Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the 70 elders saw, was a glimpse of heaven? Waaaah, I can't. This is so amazing. The scripture says clearly that they have seen the 'manifestation' of the God of Israel, and under His feet was like clear skies. They have seen God in a glimpse and they were not destroyed. God was truly powerful!
  

 Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminum oxide (α-Al2O3) with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. It is typically blue, but natural "fancy" sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors; "parti sapphires" show two or more colors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire

  https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2018/08/a-tour-of-heaven-jerusalem-temple-and.html 

12 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandments which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses [a]arose with Joshua his attendant, and he went up to the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Remember that Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him go to them.” 15 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory and brilliance of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day God called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 17 In the sight of the Israelites the appearance of the glory and brilliance of the Lord was like consuming fire on the top of the mountain. 18 Moses entered the midst of the cloud and went up the mountain; and he was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Footnotes: Exodus 24:13 The Hebrew verb “to stand” or “arise” is an instruction to prepare to fulfill a command, somewhat similar to the military command “attention.”

• 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS. God was rigorously preparing Moses before fulfilling God's commandment of receiving the stone tablets with the 'law and the commandments' that God had written. More symbolism! The glory and brilliance of the Lord rested on Mt. Sinai, and the cloud covered it for 6 days (for the people's protection). And on the 7th day, Moses was called from the midst of the clouds, he entered, and stayed there for 40 days and 40 nights. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus' preparation as well, before the appointed time that He will go about teaching people about God's word, healing the sick, raising the dead, making disciples, and ultimately sacrificing and giving His life in the cross, to crucify all the sins of the world, and give us salvation, redemption, restoration, reconciliation and eternal life. Fulfilling the ultimate promise of God. (For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6)

Temptation of Christ
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:1-4

"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry." Luke 4:1-2

"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:41-44

 https://onlyhitlergoestohell.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/the-exodus-24-syndrome/

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik: 

First, the word of God must be written: Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. God’s word was important enough that it was not be left up to human recollection and the creative nature of memory. It had to be written down.
 i. God did not make an individual covenant with its own arrangement for each Israelite. There was one covenant. The same is true today under the New Covenant. You do have a personal relationship with God; you don’t have your own private agreement with Him that contradicts the revealed words of the Lord.
 ii. With the same idea God spoke through Habakkuk: Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. (Habakkuk 2:2)

 b. Who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord: Second, covenant was only made in the context of sacrifice. Sacrifice admits our own sin and failing before God, and it addresses that need through the death of a substitute.
 i. He sent the young men: “This is a primitive touch, coming from before the time of a specialized priesthood…There is nothing magical in the choice of young men for the task: it is purely a practical consideration. To bind cattle to a stone altar required strength and agility. A young man was a natural warrior, so he was a natural ‘priest’.” (Cole)

 c. He took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people: Third, covenant was made when God’s word is heard and responded to. Our covenant with God is based on His words and His terms, not our own words and terms.

 d. Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people: Fourth, covenant was made with the application of blood. As the nation received the blood of the covenant, the covenant was sealed.
 v. The blood of Jesus’ covenant saves us: this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
 vi. The blood of Jesus’ covenant is also the foundation for all our growth and maturity in Christ: Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
 iv. Our dealing with God through the New Covenant follows the same covenant pattern:
    · Words of God read
    · Sacrifice must be made
    · Receiving God’s words
    · Receiving the Blood of Sacrifice

 a. And they saw the God of Israel: It is difficult to say exactly what they saw. What they saw under His feet suggests that at the most they saw the footstool of God. Most likely they saw some aspect of a heavenly vision of God, after the pattern of Isaiah (Isaiah 6) or Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1).
 ii. The blue of the sapphire may suggest that the elders saw the sea of glass before the throne of God (Revelation 4:6). “Ezekiel 1:26 sees God as seated on a sapphire throne, over a crystal ‘firmament’ (verse 22), and the thought is taken up again in the book of Revelation.” (Cole)
 iii. A paved work of sapphire stone: “To show that God had now changed their condition, their bricks, made in their bondage, to sapphire.”

 d. And they ate and drank: God wanted them to eat and drink in His presence because He wanted to communicate a sense of fellowship with these leaders of Israel.

 b. Indeed Aaron and Hur are with you: Moses had good reason to believe that these two men could supervise the camp of Israel. They already proved themselves as men capable of assisting Moses in prayer (Exodus 17:10-13). Yet Aaron and Hur didn’t do a good job guarding the camp – as will be demonstrated in the following chapters.

c. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel: Perhaps this looked like glowing, radiant embers of a hot fire (a consuming fire). The glorious presence of God on Sinai lingered the forty days Moses was on the mount. Though the people could not see God, and could not see Moses, God left them reminders of His glory and presence, to help them trust what they could not see.
 i. Rested on Mount Sinai: “The Hebrew verb is ‘dwelt’. It is used in a technical sense later of God’s ‘shekinah’, the outward manifestation of His presence to men.” (Cole)

 i. As harsh and as dangerous as the environment was, there was something of the glory of God in it. These images of the cloud, the smoke, the fire all a Biblical images of God’s revealed glory. They are connected to His cloud of shekinah glory, and also with Jesus’ presence among men.
ii. In all of this God said to Moses, “You can draw near. I will keep you safe and reveal Myself to you.” Under the New Covenant, in light of the Word of God, and under the sacrifice of Jesus, God dares us to draw near to Him.
 

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-24.cfm ©2013 David Guzik    

Exodus 23 - Justice for All, The Law of Sabbaths, Three Annual Feasts, The Angel and the Promises

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com
"In this chapter of Exodus, God declares more laws about honesty and justice.  God also talks about the various sabbaths and festivals the Israelites are to follow.  The Israelites are to sow the land for six years, and leave the land uncultivated during the seventh year.  Every week, the Israelites are to work for six days, but rest on the seventh, or Sabbath, day.  The Israelites are to celebrate a festival in God's honor three times a year; they are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering.  Lastly, God tells the Israelites that He will send an Angel ahead of them to protect them on their journey through the wilderness and bring them safely into the Promised Land.  God's Angel will go before the Israelites and bring them to the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, an God will wipe them out.  Israel is not to bow down and worship their gods or make a covenant with their gods.  These foreign people must not remain in the Promised Land, or else they will make Israel sin against God."

https://wiirocku.tumblr.com

Exodus 23 Amplified Bible (AMP)

https://www.biblegateway.com

Various Laws
“You shall not give a false report; you shall not join hands with the wicked to be a malicious witness [promoting wrong and violence]. 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do [something] evil, nor shall you testify at a trial or in a dispute so as to side with a crowd in order to pervert justice; 3 nor shall you favor or be partial to a poor man in his dispute [simply because he is poor].
4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering off, you must bring it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall not leave the man to deal with it [alone]; you must help him release the animal [from its burden].
6 “You shall not pervert (bend) the justice due to your poor in his dispute. 7 Keep far away from a false charge or action, and do not condemn to death the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the guilty.
8 “You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous.
9 “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the soul [the feelings, thoughts, and concerns] of a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt.

• GODLINESS. The Lord continued to enumerate various laws regarding one's welfare, and the others. The law gives very detailed situations that is very helpful, I think, to all the leaders/judges and the whole community. All in all it's about God-like qualities-- COMPASSION, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, TRUTHFULNESS, SELFLESSNESS. God cares for all the people, and He created men and women according to His image, so it makes sense that we live our lives according to His ways. When we obey God, we love Him, and we love our neighbors too (“If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15) There will be challenges, struggles, and temptations, or misunderstanding with other people in this life, but knowing God's laws, and His heart about it, will greatly help us in making the right judgment, doing the right thing, and choosing God's ways.

"Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper."
Psalms 1:1-3

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,
for this is the Law and the Prophets."Matthew 7:12 

The Sabbath and Land
10 “You shall sow your land six years and harvest its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie uncultivated, so that the poor among your people may eat [what the land grows naturally]; whatever they leave the animals of the field may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.
12 “Six days [each week] you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall stop [working] so that your ox and your donkey may settle down and rest, and the son of your female servant, as well as your stranger, may be refreshed. 13 Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; do not mention the name of other gods [either in a blessing or in a curse]; do not let such speech be heard [coming] from your mouth.

• 7th YEAR, 7th DAY. Resting the farm lands in the seventh year so that the poor people may eat whatever the land grows naturally, was very interesting! I have never heard of a law like that, I wonder if Israel still does that up to this day, because that would be really awesome. I wish our country, and every country will have a law like that, to help feed many (poor) people. The importance of Sabbath, or 7th day of rest was reiterated here, for the refreshment of all the people, and animals (ox and donkey) alike.

Three National Feasts
14 “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast [dedicated] to Me. 15 You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed [but you shall bring sacrificial offerings]. 16 Also [you shall observe] the Feast of Harvest (Weeks, Pentecost, or First Fruits), acknowledging the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. And [third] the Feast of Ingathering (Booths or Tabernacles) at the end of the year when you gather in [the fruit of] your labors from the field. 17 Three times a year all your males shall appear before the [a]Lord God.
18 “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with [b]leavened bread; and the fat of My feast is not to be left overnight until morning.
19 “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your ground into the house of the Lord your God.
“You shall not [c]boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Footnotes: Exodus 23:17 “Lord” with only an initial capital is Heb Adonai (Master); “God” (all caps) represents YHWH (Yahweh) and is usually rendered “Lord” (all caps).
Exodus 23:18 Because leaven is a kind of fungus, it became a symbol of corruption and sin. But in some contexts it had positive connotations (e.g. Lev 23:17; Matt 13:33).
Exodus 23:19 This may have been a pagan practice, perhaps a fertility rite.

• FEASTS DEDICATED TO GOD. God is worthy of all glory and remembrance because He is the God who freed and rescued Israel from Egypt's slavery and oppression, and He is the God who has sent His Son Jesus Christ to save and rescue us from the 'slavery of sin'. The Lord established 3 national feasts to be observed every year-- throughout the generations. The feasts will help the Israelites to keep walking in God's ways and commandments, in avoiding the corruption of sin, and protecting themselves against paganism or turning to pagan idols/gods. Since the very beginning (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), God has been good and gracious, and He never failed to sustain and provide to His people-- He alone deserves the best, the first-fruits of our produce or labor! No one shall appear before God empty-handed because He will make sure that His people will be well-provided.

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." Proverbs 3:9-10

https://www.pinterest.at 

Conquest of the Land
20 “Behold, I am going to send an [d]Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 21 Be on your guard before Him, listen to and obey His voice; do not be rebellious toward Him or provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgression, since My Name (authority) is in Him. 22 But if you will indeed listen to and truly obey His voice and do everything that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 When My Angel goes before you and brings you to [the land of] the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, I will reject them and completely destroy them. 24 You shall not bow down to worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do [anything] in accordance with their practices. You shall completely overthrow them and break down their [sacred] pillars and images [of pagan worship]. 25 You shall serve [only] the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread and water. I will also remove sickness from among you. 26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; [e]I will fulfill the number of your days. 27 I will send My terror ahead of you, and I will throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you [in flight]. 28 I will send hornets ahead of you which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite before you. 29 I will not drive them out before you in a single year, so that the land does not become desolate [due to lack of attention] and the [wild] animals of the field do not become too numerous for you. 30 I will drive them out before you little by little, until you have increased and are strong enough to take possession of the land. 31 I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines (the Mediterranean), and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates; for I will hand over the residents of the land to you, and you shall drive them out before you. 32 You shall not make a covenant with them or with their gods. 33 They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it is certain to be a trap for you [resulting in judgment].”

Footnotes: Exodus 23:20 “Angel” has been capitalized here to reflect the likelihood that it is God appearing in a visible form (see note Gen 16:7).
Exodus 23:26 I.e. grant you long life.

• PROMISED LAND. After giving all the laws, the Lord then strongly gave a detailed and step-by-step promise of how He will grant the promised land (that was currently inhabited by the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite) to the Israelites, wow! Reading it all throughout, I was in total awe. With God, the future is already secured! It's a done deal, no matter how the Israelites failed, disobeyed and rebelled (for 40 years). He will even personally go with the Israelites. I'd like to believe the 'Angel' is even (pre-incarnate) Christ in spirit! God said, 'My Name (authority) is in Him.', (And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18). The Almighty God promised victory to the Israelites, and because of that, today we are 'victorious' in Christ too. What could be more awesome than that?🙌😭

http://www.bible.ca

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:    A. Laws promoting justice.
 1. (Exo 23:1-3) Commands to respect the law, not convenience or the crowd.
 2. (Exo 23:4-9) Laws promoting kindness and righteous civil conduct.
 B. Laws of ceremonial devotion.
 1. (Exo 23:10-13) The Sabbath principle.
 2. (Exo 23:14-17) Three national feasts.
 3. (Exo 23:18-19) Laws regarding sacrifice and firstfruits offering.
 C. The promise of God’s presence and blessing.
 1. (Exo 23:20-21) The Angel who has the name of God in Him.
 2. (Exo 23:22-26) Blessing promised to an obedient Israel.
 3. (Exo 23:27-30) How God will help Israel take possession of the land.
 4. (Exo 23:31-33) Boundaries of Israel’s inheritance. 

 c. Keep yourself far from a false mater; do not kill the innocent and righteous: The promotion of truth was essential under God’s law. God knew how much evil and injustice is justified among men by lies, so He emphasized truth telling in Israel’s daily life and legal practices.
 ii. Jesus simply summarized these laws promoting kindness and fair conduct in the community of Israel: You shall love…your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).

 i. “The law of the Sabbatical Year. This was unique in the world, and associated only with Israel.” (Thomas)

 a. I send an Angel before you: This unique angel commanded obedience from Israel and had the right of judgment over the nation. Most of all, the name of God was in this angel (for My name is in Him).
i. We only know a few angels by name, and in a sense, Micha-el and Gabri-el each have the name of God in their name. But neither Michael nor Gabriel commanded this kind of obedience from Israel or presumed to sit in judgment over them. This is the specific Angel of the Lord, Jesus appearing in the Old Testament, before His incarnation in Bethlehem, who often speaks directly as the Lord.
ii. “The Angel (v. 20) was not a created angel but a divine manifestation, the Second Person of the Trinity in angelic form.” (Thomas) “My name is in him seems to translate the ‘messenger’ into the supernatural realm, for God’s ‘name’ is the equivalent of His revealed nature.” (Cole)
iii. My name is in Him: Of course, the name Yahweh is in Jesus. His name is literally Yah-shua. Jesus was with Israel in all their wilderness experience. “This Angel with the authority and prestige of the name of God was evidence enough that God himself was present in his Son.” (Kaiser)

b. And to bring you into the place which I have prepared: The Angel would go before them into the place which I have prepared. The same principle is true of our life with Jesus today. Not only is it true that Jesus goes before us to prepare a place for us in heaven (John 14:2-3), but the place we walk in today was prepared by God, and where we will walk tomorrow is prepared by Him also.

 b. My Angel will go before you: God did not bring Israel out of Egypt to leave them in the wilderness. His plan was to bring them into His land of promise and abundance. Though there were mighty nations in Canaan, His Angel would bring an obedient Israel into the Promised Land.

 c. You shall not bow down to their gods: The Canaanite people were deeply depraved and morally degraded, and this was a natural result of the depraved and degraded idol gods they served. Therefore it was essential that Israel did not imitate their idol worship or allow it to continue.
i. “Concerning the people to be driven out, it is worthy of note that this paragraph shows that ‘their gods’ were their undoing. Everything in the life of a man or a nation depends on the character of its worship.” (Morgan)

 b. Little by little: God promised to drive out the enemies of Israel from Canaan, but He would not drive them out all at once. Israel may have wanted to have the land all cleared out before them, but God knew it was not best for the land or for them.
i. Though it sometimes frustrates us, this is often the way God works in our life. He clears things out little by little, though we might prefer it all at once. But God wanted Israel to have increased in the process of taking the Promised Land. He wanted them to grow. God cares that we grow, and so He often grows us little by little.

 i. There is a spiritual principle here. God may grant, but we must possess. He withholds our possession of many blessings until we will partner with Him in bold faith and obedience. We have been granted every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3); but will only possess what we will partner with Him in faith and obedience to receive.
iii. God is not an indulgent, spoiling father, pouring out on His children resources, blessings, and gifts they are not ready to receive or be responsible with. When His people are ready to possess in faith, what was promised becomes realized.

 b. You shall make no covenant with them: Through lack of discernment, Israel did end up making a covenant with some of the people of the land (Joshua 9). There is no area of the law that Israel – or anyone – has ever kept perfectly. 

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-23.cfm ©2013 David Guzik    

Exodus 22 - Responsibility for Property, Moral and Ceremonial Principles

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com 
"This chapter lists laws and stipulations about theft, crop protection, personal property, seduction, capital offenses, protecting the vulnerable, and respect for God."

https://www.heartlight.org/gallery/5501.html

Exodus 22 Amplified Bible (AMP)
https://www.biblegateway.com

Property Rights
“If a man steals an ox or sheep and kills or sells it, he shall make restitution of five oxen for an ox or four sheep for a sheep.
2 “If a thief is caught breaking in [after dark] and is struck [by the owner] so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him. 3 But if the sun has risen, there will be bloodguilt for him. The thief [if he lives] must make [full] restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold [as a slave to make restitution] for his theft. 4 If the animal that he stole is found alive in his possession, whether it is ox or donkey or sheep, he shall pay double [for it].
5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed bare or lets his livestock loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6 “If fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes so that the stacked grain or standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.
7 “If a man gives his neighbor money or [other] goods to keep [for him while he is away] and it is stolen from the neighbor’s house, then, if the thief is caught, he shall pay double [for it]. 8 If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house shall appear before the judges [who act in God’s name], to determine whether or not he had stolen his neighbor’s goods. 9 For every offense involving property, whether it concerns ox, donkey, sheep, clothing, or any piece of lost property, which another identifies as his, the case of both parties shall come before the judges [who act in God’s name]. Whomever the judges pronounce guilty shall pay double to his neighbor.
10 “If a man gives his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any [other] animal to keep [for him], and it dies or is injured or taken away while no one is looking, 11 then an oath before the Lord shall be made by the two of them that he has not taken his neighbor’s property; and the owner of it shall accept his word and not require him to make restitution. 12 But if it is actually stolen from him [when in his care], he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn to pieces [by some predator or by accident], let him bring the mangled carcass as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what was torn to pieces.
14 “And if a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it gets injured or dies while its owner is not with it, the borrower shall make full restitution. 15 But if the owner is with it [when the damage is done], the borrower shall not make restitution. If it was hired, the damage is included in [the price of] its fee.

• PEACE AND ORDER. God is a God of order, and not of chaos. Here, God continued to establish the nation of Israel, who will live in the promised land (Canaan) at God's appointed time. As slaves for 430 years, the Hebrew Israelites knew nothing about property rights-- they were the property. They had zero rights back in Egypt. Now, they had to be educated, so they can adhere to God's laws and ordinances. The laws were for the good of all people, it was to set rules and fairness, in every aspect of their lives. There is a legal term that says "ignorance of the law is no excuse." Everyone heard God's laws, and it was recorded for the next generations too. To understand in detail every law stated above, I read and studied from David Guzik's study guide and commentary, so very helpful! Follow this link: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-22.cfm
• ABOUT PROPERTIES AND POSSESSIONS. Everything that we have, everything that we are, comes from God. Knowing that God is the source of everything, and He is the provider who give us everything we need-- even gift us with things we don't deserve-- will help us not to covet to the point of stealing other people's stuffs. 

"Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone." 1 Chronicles 29:12

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" Matthew 6:26

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33

Various Laws
16 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry (marriage price) for her to be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must [still] pay money equivalent to the dowry of virgins.
18 “You shall not allow a woman who practices sorcery to live.
19 “Whoever lies with an animal must be put to death.
20 “He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the Lord alone, shall be put under a ban (designated) for destruction (execution).
21 “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not harm or oppress any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you harm or oppress them in any way, and they cry at all to Me [for help], I will most certainly hear their cry; 24 and My wrath shall be kindled and burn; I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
25 “If you lend money to any one of My people with you who is poor, you shall not act as a creditor (professional moneylender) to him; you shall not charge him interest. 26 If you ever take your [poor] neighbor’s robe in pledge, you must return it to him before sunset, 27 for that is his only covering; it is his clothing for his body. In what shall he sleep? And when he cries to Me [for help], I will hear him, for I am compassionate and gracious.
28 “You shall not curse God, nor curse the ruler of your people [since he administers God’s law].
29 “You shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. You shall give (consecrate, dedicate) to Me the firstborn of your sons. 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother for seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it [as an offering] to Me.
31 “You shall be [a]holy men to Me; therefore you shall not eat meat [from any animal] that has been torn to pieces [by predators] in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
Footnotes: Exodus 22:31 The commandments given to Israel by the Lord were designed in part to separate them from the world and identify them as His chosen people.

• MORALITY. What does it mean to be moral or ethical?
  It is "concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character." To serve God and be God's children, means to be like our Father, righteous, noble, honorable, and upright. We cannot do that on our own, but we can do that by God's help and guidance through reading/abiding in His Word (that is Jesus), through constant praying, with the help of the Holy Spirit. God's laws are perfect and they are high standard. God loves us so much that He wants us to be conformed by His image, and not the enemy-- which is deceptive, selfish and destructive. If the Israelites will not follow and disobey God, despite the consequences, then they have chosen who to serve and obey-- the evil one through their evil and selfish desires. That's why one must humble and submit themselves before God.
• GOD CARES FOR ORPHANS AND WIDOWS. God loves the unlovable and the uncared for, and that gives me comfort and assurance. Many people like me feel unloved despite not being an orphan or a widow, that's why God's love is so great. When you know that God loves and accepts you, that He sent His Son Jesus to sacrifice for all our sins, you are assured, you are secured. Because you are loved, you can love others too (with God's love), even the unlovable, even your enemies/adversaries. (We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19)

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." Psalm 68:5

"The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin." Psalm 146:9

"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute."
Psalm 82:3

 

https://verseimages.com/exodus-22-22/

 * Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik: 

 A. Laws regarding personal property and restitution.
 B. Moral and ceremonial laws.

 b. He shall restore: The Mosaic Law did not send a person to jail because of theft. Instead, the thief was required to restore what he stole, plus an additional penalty.
 ii. This can be regarded as a positive approach to the punishment of criminals, putting them to productive restitution and compensating the victims of their theft. These principles are often ignored in the modern administration of justice.
iii. They are also, as a principle, ignored in many Christian lives. “This chapter is full of restitution, of which there is far too little in ordinary Christian life. We try to make amends for injury done to another by an extraordinary amount of civility; but we are reluctant in so many words to frankly confess that we have done wrong, and make proper reparation for the act or speech.” (Meyer)

a. If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed: Some claim this passage did not prohibit pre-marital sex; but it did prohibit (or at least strongly discourage) it in practice, because it required a man to either marry or provide for a woman he had pre-marital sex with.
b. He shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife: This law emphasized the principle that there is no such thing as casual sex. Both Old and New Testaments state that sexual relations carry lasting consequences (1 Corinthians 6:15-16).
 ii. This law encouraged both men and women to value the virginity of a woman. “Since a man has taken a girl without paying bride-price, bride-price he must pay, for who else will pay it now?” (Cole) It’s not that the virginity of men was worthless or ignored; yet the law encouraged greater care and preservation for the virginity of women until marriage and the advantageous circumstances for child raising.

 a. A sorceress: Among the ancients, the practice of sorcery had two associations. First, contact with dark or demonic powers or persons. Second, altered states through drugs and potions. There was understood to be a connection between drug taking and occultist practices.
 v. “It is clearly against the will of God that in this life men should hold any communication with the spirit world, save that of direct fellowship with Himself, through His Son, by the Holy Spirit.” (Morgan)

 a. You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him: A good measure of our moral character is found in how we treat a stranger. People often find it easy to treat their own flesh and blood well, but God commands us to have a concern for others – including the stranger.

 a. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child: The widow and fatherless child were the weakest and most vulnerable members of society. In an unrestrained, survival-of-the-fittest society, they would be the first to suffer abuse and destruction. God here commanded that at the very least, they not be afflicted.

 c. And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear: God promised to hear the prayer of the poor man when he cried out to the Lord. God’s general sympathy for the poor is reflected in the fact that Jesus came from a poor family. When He was dedicated in the temple, shortly after His birth, the sacrifice was that of a poor family: two birds (Luke 2:24).

 c. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me: According to Exodus 13:11-12, this command was to be obeyed when the came into the land of Canaan. Much of the Mosaic Law didn’t make sense for Israel in the wilderness, and was given to prepare them for life in Canaan.
i. Had they obeyed and trusted God the way they should have, they were at this point only a little more than a year away from Canaan. Because of unbelief and disobedience, they were some 40 years from Canaan, but they didn’t know that at this giving of the law. 

 d. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me: This was done through redemption, the giving of money to substitute for the son (Exodus 34:19-20). Money was also substituted for the firstborn among unclean animals, but the firstborn among clean animals was sacrificed to the Lord.
i. This law regarding the given of the firstborn to God was important because:
    · Since the firstborn was always regarded as best, it was a demonstrated way to give the best to God.
    · It reminded Israel that God regarded them as His firstborn, His favored people
    · It reminded Israel that God spared their firstborn when He judged the firstborn of Egypt


Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-22.cfm ©2013 David Guzik