READ EXODUS 19
GO DEEPER
In the book of Genesis, God made various agreements with His people. The initial covenant was with Adam, followed by Noah, and then Abraham in Genesis 12. Each covenant involved promises from God to His people and expectations for them to abide by.
The Israelites have faced challenges recently, with God delivering, providing for, and leading them. While God supported them, He decided to reaffirm this by establishing a new covenant with His people. God aimed to set Israel apart once more, and in verse 8, the Israelites expressed their willingness to obey God's commands. However, as expected, they initially comply, but their obedience does not last long.
This chapter evokes a sense of anticipation as something significant is about to unfold, altering the lives of the Israelites forever. They must have felt a mix of fear, excitement, and confusion. Through the subsequent chapters, God outlines instructions that lay the groundwork for the Israelites for the remainder of the Old Testament. This covenant designates Israel as a "kingdom of priests," calling them to shine as a beacon in a dark world, marking the first instance of God using royal terminology.
Predictably, the Israelites repeatedly fall short of God's expectations. The Mosaic Covenant acts as more than just guidelines for Israel; it highlights their inherent need for a savior. Jesus accomplishes what the Israelites could not: fulfilling the Mosaic law flawlessly.
What does this mean for us today? Even though we are not bound by the laws of Moses, they can serve as a valuable compass as we strive for purity. By emulating Jesus and His way of life, our inclinations to covet, steal, or harm will diminish, replaced by a commitment to embody the gospel instead. Like the Israelites, we will continually fall short of God's standards. Through Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, He meets the requirements of the law, facilitating a renewed connection between us and God.
QUESTIONS
Why did God establish agreements (covenants) with Israel?
2. What can you recall about the previous three agreements? In what ways was this agreement similar? In what ways was it unique?
3. What does it signify that we are no longer bound by the law? What is the significance and function of the Mosaic law in our present-day lives?