"BEHOLD, THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT"
Exodus 24:1-8

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The declaration of Moses to "Behold the blood of the covenant" (v.8) typified the declaration of Christ, "this is My blood of the new covenant" (Matthew 26:28). We will here observe the typology between Moses' blood of the Old Covenant and Christ's blood of the New Covenant.

I. The blood of the Old Covenant was that of the covenant made between Jehovah and His covenant people (v.8): "the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words" (i.e. "the Ten Commandments" [34:28]). They were the objects of His electing and redeeming love (Deuteronomy 7:6-8), and made to be His special treasure above all other peoples (Exodus 19:1-6).

Likewise, the blood of the New Covenant is that of the covenant made between Jehovah and His covenant people. This New Covenant was necessitated because Israel broke their covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). It has therefore abrogated and replaced the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13). Jehovah's New Covenant people, like those of the Old Covenant, are the objects of His electing and redeeming love (Ephesians 1:1-7). But unlike ancient and national Israel, the new and spiritual Israel is "faithful in Christ Jesus" (v.1). The New Covenant people are therefore Jehovah's special treasure above all other peoples (1 Peter 2:9f). And since this New Covenant will never be abrogated or replaced, the "blood of the New Covenant" is also the "blood of the Everlasting Covenant" (Hebrews 13:20).

II. The blood of the Old Covenant was presented by Moses acting as the mediator of the covenant (vv.1-3; Deuteronomy 5:5; Galatians 3:19). Moses stood between Jehovah and Israel, representing each to the other. He was Jehovah's prophet to the people, and the people's priest to Jehovah.

Likewise, the blood of the New Covenant was presented by Christ acting as the Mediator of the covenant. Christ stands between Jehovah and the church, representing each to the other. He is the "one Mediator between God and men" (1 Timothy 2:5): Jehovah's Prophet to the people (Deuteronomy 18:15ff; Acts 3:22-26) and the people's Priest to Jehovah (Hebrews 5:1-10; 7:11-28). He is "Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant" (Hebrews 12:24; 9:15), and therefore the "Mediator of a better covenant ... established on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).

III. The blood of the Old Covenant was of "offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings ... to the LORD" (v.5). A burnt offering was, with the exception of the skin, wholly consumed, symbolizing God's acceptance of the entire surrender of the offerer with the view of wholly consecrating him to God. A peace offering followed other offerings, and served to establish the offerer in fellowship with God.

Likewise, the blood of the New Covenant was of an offered burnt offering and a sacrificed peace offering. All that was symbolized and obtained through the offerings of Moses, and later of the Aaronic priesthood, have been surpassed through the "once for all" offering of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-18).

IV. Half of the blood of the Old Covenant was "sprinkled on the altar" (v.6). This blood represented the life of the victim and the atonement of those for whom it was shed (Leviticus 17:11). The altar represented Jehovah, the first party in the Old Covenant.

Likewise, the blood of Christ was sprinkled on the altar – specifically in fulfillment of the typical action of Moses, and upon the altar in the heavenly tabernacle before God, the first party in the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:11-24).

V. The rest of the blood was "sprinkled ... on the people" (v.8) – upon the "seventy elders" (v.1) and/or the "young men" (v.5) and/or the "twelve pillars" (v.4) representing Israel, the other party in the Old Covenant.

Likewise, the blood of Christ was sprinkled on His people. His blood is the "blood of sprinkling" upon God's elect (1 Peter 1:2), the second party in the New Covenant. It was sprinkled upon their consciences, thereby speaking peace and pardon to them, and enabling them to "draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22).