| Geneva Study Bible And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he {f} laid not his hand: also they saw God, and {g} did eat and drink. (f) He did not make them afraid, nor punish them. (g) That is, rejoiced. Wesley's Notes 24:11 Upon the nobles or elders of Israel he laid not his hand - Though they were men, the splendour of his glory did not overwhelm them, but it was so moderated (Job 36:9,) and they were so strengthened (Dan 10:19,) that they were able to bear it: nay, though they were sinful men, and obnoxious to God's justice, yet he did not lay his avenging hand upon them, as they feared he would. When we consider what a consuming fire God is, and what stubble we are before him, we shall have reason to say, in all our approaches to him, It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. They saw God, and did eat and drink; They had not only their lives preserved, but their vigour, courage, and comfort; it cast no damp upon their joy, but rather increased it. They feasted upon the sacrifice before God, in token of their chearful consent to the covenant, their grateful acceptance of the benefits of it, and their communion with God in pursuance of that covenant. Scofield Reference Notes Margin eat and drink Symbol of communion. Cf. Lk 22:15-18. A blood-sprinkled people, see Heb 9:19-22 who had not yet broken the law could thus commune with God. Never again was this repeated. Cf. Ex 24:9-11 with Lev 16:2 and Heb 9:6-8 But cf., under grace, Eph 2:13 Heb 10:19,20. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 11. upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand-The "nobles," that is, the elders, after the sprinkling of the blood, were not inspired with terror in presence of the calm, benign, radiant symbol of the divine majesty; so different from the terrific exhibitions at the giving of the law. The report of so many competent witnesses would tend to confirm the people's faith in the divine mission of Moses. eat and drink-feasted on the peace offering-on the remnants of the late sacrifices and libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing, intimating God's dwelling with men. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 24:9-11 The elders saw the God of Israel; they had some glimpse of his glory, though whatever they saw, it was something of which no image or picture could be made, yet enough to satisfy them that God was with them of a truth. Nothing is described but what was under his feet. The sapphires are the pavement under his feet; let us put all the wealth of this world under our feet, and not in our hearts. Thus the believer sees in the face of Jesus Christ, far clearer discoveries of the glorious justice and holiness of God, than ever he saw under terrifying convictions; and through the Saviour, holds communion with a holy God. | 
