Exodus 24 completes the covenant made at Sinai. Moses reports God's words and writes them in the book of the covenant. He builds an altar with twelve pillars, one for each tribe. Burnt offerings and peace offerings are made. Moses reads the book aloud, and the people commit themselves twice: We will do all that Yahweh has said, and be obedient (24:7).
Moses sprinkles half the blood on the altar and half on the people, saying, Look, this is the blood of the covenant (24:8). The blood binds both parties together and points to the seriousness of the commitment. In the New Testament, Jesus echoes these words when he calls the cup his blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). In the New Testament, Hebrews 9:18-22 explains that the first covenant was dedicated with blood, and Hebrews calls Christ the mediator of a better covenant.
Next comes a remarkable scene. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders saw the God of Israel. They saw a pavement like sapphire under His feet, and God didn't lay his hand on them. They ate and drank, a covenant meal of fellowship. Then Moses, with Joshua, ascends further. After six days the Lord calls from the cloud, and His glory looks like devouring fire to the people below. Moses enters the cloud for forty days and forty nights to receive the tablets and the tabernacle instructions.