Exodus 24:6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar.
I suppose I’m a bit cynical at this point, but as I read today’s verses, I can’t help thinking of all those years that I taught Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, which is based on the Salem Witch Trials. In it, John Proctor and the others talk of being covenanted Christians, which is what today’s scripture is talking about–the covenant between God and man.
Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”
The problem in The Crucible is that declaring yourself as a covenanted Christian was a shield used to try to protect yourself from accusations of witchcraft. The accusations are a glaring example of humans using God’s word for individual gain. (Those calling out others as witches, eventually, were after their property or reputations. It had nothing to do with whether or not you were a “good Christian.”)
Exodus 24:8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Precious Savior, Forgive me for my cynicism. Forgive humanity for our many attempts to twist the Bible for our gain. Help us to approach You, approach Your word, with pure hearts and pure intentions–to draw closer to You. Always. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 24:9-10 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky.
Have a blessed day.