Covenant as Grace - An Intro into OT Law

Introduction

We are beginning a new and important section of scripture, the covenant at Sinai. While the exodus from Egypt is the redemptive act of the OT, repeatedly put before the people as the proof of Yahweh’s grace, mercy, and favor, the law given at Sinai is at the heart of OT theology. It is the basis upon which the people can ensure continued dwelling in the land of promise. It is the means by which the nature and character of God is revealed and the guide path of joyful fellowship with the one true God. We will over the next few weeks discuss the nature of the law and its relevance to NT believers today. We will begin today some background about and the purpose and nature covenant as a good gift of God to His people.

Background

The BED defines a covenant as an “Arrangement between two parties involving mutual obligations; especially the arrangement that established the relationship between God and his people, expressed in grace first with Israel and then with the church. Through that covenant God has conveyed to humanity the meaning of human life and salvation. Covenant is one of the central themes of the Bible, where some covenants are between human beings, others between God and human beings.”[1] It goes on to say: “Mutual obligations characterize that kind of relationship. Thus a covenant relationship is not merely a mutual acquaintance but a commitment to responsibility and action. A key word in Scripture to describe that commitment is “faithfulness,” acted out in a context of abiding friendship.”[2] Lastly, the Dictionary of Biblical Themes describes the Sinai covenant as: “God’s faithful commitment, made in pursuance of his promises to Abraham, to acknowledge the newly-redeemed Israel as his own special people. Israel’s required response to the grace of God in election was to be holiness and obedience to the law.”[3]

Exposition

Verses 1 - 4: The foundation of covenant - Yahweh’s grace in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. If there was no deliverance, there would be not covenant. Recall that Israel was enslaved in Egypt. There were without strength or hope. They were unable to free themselves from their situation. It is this situation that the LORD of heaven and earth stepped into. Through Moses his servant He wrought a great deliverance, unlike anything seen in history until that point. The LORD of hosts defeated the most powerful nation on earth, leaving them a shell of former selves, and won the victory for His people. Israel had no role in any of it.[4] In the words of Matthew Henry: “That the maker, and first mover, of the covenant, is God himself.... this blessed charter was granted ex mero motu—purely out of God’s own good-will.... In all our dealings with God, free grace anticipates us with the blessings of goodness, and all our comfort is owing, not to our knowing God, but rather to our being known of him, Gal. 4:9. We love him, visit him, and covenant with him, because he first loved us, visited us, and covenanted with us.”[5] In all this Yahweh revealed Himself as the one true living God and sovereign who is properly due the worship of all creation. He didn’t stop there however. Verse 4 also tells us the LORD carried Israel on Eagles wings. He did not rescue Israel and leave them to figure things on their own. He brought Israel to Himself. Notice again that Israel is not taken directly to the promised land, but brought to the place where Yahweh determined He would meet with them. Along the way He has lovingly cared from them. Even in the midst of unbelievable ingratitude, all their needs were met. The LORD was / is savior and sustainer, neither of which they earned or deserved (De. 32:11-12). He rescued them to form a relationship with them. The covenant is the next logical step after Yahweh’s deliverance.

Verse 5 - The purpose of covenant - Knowing, obeying, and be possessed by Yahweh. I have been arguing for the longest time that the purpose of the Exodus was Yahweh making Himself known to His creation. The first half of this is now complete. Yahweh has made Himself known as the God of gods in His judgment of Egypt and her gods. He has been made known by His mighty power. He has made known that final and sole loyalty is due to Him. Yet he is not personally known. I just said the Israel was not freed to do her own thing. They have been given a tremendous privilege, a special relationship with the sovereign creator and LORD of the universe. As with any relationship, there are parameters which outline its scope and nature. From the beginning fellowship with God required boundaries. There were such a boundary in the garden. It is not eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was required from true, lasting, and loving fellowship. The same God of grace and love is equally a Holy God. He has a law and that law must be fully obeyed. Nothing less is satisfactory. There is also a tremendous benefit, being the treasured possession of the LORD. What does this mean? Israel was valued royal property acquired by the LORD for His exclusive use. Where did this value come from? The fact they were loved and chosen by God.[6] They had high worth and a high calling to bring glory to their possessor.

Verse 6 - The result of covenant: Yahweh known to all nations. Having established the foundation and given the purpose, it is necessary to ask what is the point? Why did Yahweh act to save Israel and give them His law? We just answered that question. Through a separated, Israelite kingdom of priests, the rest of the world would come to know who the one true God is, who they really are, what He requires of them. How? Consider these four points of illumination:

Israel would be an example to the surrounding nations what to believe about and how to live for the one true God. By this the nations would be drawn to Yahweh (Matt 5:16).

Israel would declare the truth of God and call all nations to repent and believe . Do this sound familiar (Acts 1:8)?

Israel would act as intercessor between the LORD and the nations, crying out to God for them and bringing appropriate offerings to the LORD (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

Israel would record the word of the LORD so the world know, be changed by, and blessed by reading and obeying the word of God.[7]

Yahweh would receive glory as the rest of the world marvels at His great creation and power. He would be praised as the people come to see he alone is God. Men, women, and children from every nation was to come to worship the LORD of hosts and His kingdom would spread throughout the earth. This was Israel’s purpose. This is the purpose of the church today.

Practical Application

It should be readily apparent that what Israel was supposed to do is what the church now , comprised of Jew and Gentile, currently must do. Like Israel then believers now are saved by grace through faith. Paul makes this clear in Eph. 2:8-9. We have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13). We are saved for good works (Eph. 2:10). We are called to be a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9-10) whom makes known Christ Jesus to a lost a dying world. Like Israel this choice was entirely God’s and for His glory (Eph. 1:3-6). This was Israel’s charge. This is our charge. It is needed now more than ever.

Bibliography

1. Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Covenant. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 530). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

2. ibid. Pg 531

3. Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

4. Blackburn, W. R. (2012). The God Who Makes Himself Known: The Missionary Heart of the Book of Exodus. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (Vol. 28, p. 88). England; Downers Grove, IL: Apollos; InterVarsity Press.

5. Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 122). Peabody: Hendrickson.

6. Ryken, P. G., & Hughes, R. K. (2005). Exodus: saved for God’s glory (p. 497). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

7. Adapted from Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 423). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.