Graceways August 12 Devotional

EXODUS 24:7-11 | 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.” ⁸ Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, “Here is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” ⁹ Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. ¹¹ God did not lay his hand on the chief men of the Israelites; they beheld God, and they ate and drank.

The center of Israel’s life was its covenant with Yahweh. God issued a personal invitation to Israel to be His people, to follow His law, to celebrate His presence in worship, and to demonstrate His truth and mercy to the broader world. This momentous invitation followed the miracle of liberation from Egypt and the revelation of the Ten Commandments at Sinai. It was sealed by a meal! The 70 elders ate and drank in God’s presence on the mountain.

Have you celebrated key life moments with a meal?

Gracious God,

Help my life celebrations to be sacred celebrations. Thank You for deciding to be with us, for us, and among us—our partner in life’s journey.

Amen.