Exodus 24:5

Exodus 24:5

Exodus 24:5 describes the offering activities: “young men of the children of Israel” offered burnt offerings, and peace offerings of oxen were sacrificed to the LORD. Sacrificial life is integrated with covenant-making here: worship is not merely ceremonial but deeply connected to the people’s obedience to God’s word. This is a communal act that binds the community in worship, atonement, and shared meals of fellowship with the divine presence.

Historically, animal sacrifices were central to Israel’s worship system. Burnt offerings signified total devotion and surrender to God, while peace offerings symbolized fellowship and gratitude. The use of young men indicates a dedicated, vigorous participation of the community in these rites, marking the moment as serious, celebratory, and solemn.

Sacrifice in this context expresses reliance on God’s provision for atonement and relationship with Him. It anticipates the sin that requires atonement and highlights divine grace as the means of reconciliation. The offerings also establish a framework for worship that includes gratitude, confession, and communal meals in the presence of God, strengthening fellowship among the people and with the divine.

Today, while Christians do not re-enact Old Covenant sacrifices, the underlying principles remain: worship is costly, communal, and relational. Practical takeaways include: identifying offerings you can make—time,resources, or talents—as signs of devotion; practicing generous hospitality as a form of fellowship that mirrors the peace offering; and regularly giving thanks to God for provision. For families, this could translate into shared meals, gratitude journals, or acts of service that reflect a life given over to God.

Cross-References: Leviticus 1:3-9; Leviticus 3:1-5; Psalm 4:5; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19