Obey My voice…Keep My Covenant. Exodus 19:1-8 Into a plain with mountains on both sides and the Mountain of God in front of them like a massive pulpit, the cloud representing God's presence led the children of Israel. Moses alone ascended the mountain where God spoke to him from the burning bush that was not consumed. Now, he approaches God as the representative of the chosen people, a nation formed from the world's nations to symbolize all humanity. Israel was meant to mediate God’s grace to the world as a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation.”
Chapter 19 describes the preparation to fulfill this purpose; chapters 20-23 discuss the presentation of this divine purpose, and chapter 24 openly addresses the entire matter of a covenant. Six hundred years earlier, God told Abraham that the world's nations would be blessed through the unconditional covenant He made with him. That promise would surely be fulfilled. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai to meet with God on behalf of the entire nation, it was to establish a conditional covenant to prepare the people of Israel to know how to live in the world in a way that pleases God. Reminders were given to Moses about the blessings they had already received and promises of even greater blessings yet to come.
Even though we live under the blessings of the new covenant of God’s grace to us, there are guidelines we are meant to follow and conditions we need to meet to receive the promised blessings. He desires that we truly choose to yield to Him as our Lord. “For if we live, we live unto the Lord; and if we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. To this end, Christ died, rose, and lived again, that He might be Lord of the dead and the living.”
The commandments of God were given then to guide personal life, social interactions, and religious devotion so people knew how to approach God. These principles serve as guidelines and standards for us to follow. They were not given to save people through their observance. Instead, they teach us to acknowledge what we cannot do to approach God, as this reveals sin and its consequences. God’s word is “carved in stone,” showing us our helplessness to be righteous before God and our need to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ because “By the law is the knowledge of sin.”
With great compassion and loving words, God told Moses about the uniqueness, the value, and the relationship He had with Israel and wanted to keep. From that great platform, Moses came down and told them what God thought of them, and now he would confirm that with a covenant. He intended for them to be a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation.”
God entered into a covenant with Noah and another with Abraham long ago. The rainbow served as a sign that an understanding, an agreement, and a working relationship had been established, assuring Noah and the world that there would never be another global flood. The covenant with Abraham laid the foundation for the promise that all nations would be blessed through His seed. That blessing would come through the Lord Jesus Christ, and Abraham rejoiced to see His day by faith.
Through our Lord and Savior, people around the world have been, and will continue to be, blessed. God promised four hundred and thirty years earlier to Jacob that Israel would be a chosen nation governed by Him. It was not meant to be a democracy ruled by the people, nor an aristocracy controlled by a few. Instead, it was to be a theocracy governed by God's rule and to be a unique kingdom of priests, a holy nation, and a special treasure to the world because of their obedience to God.
Israel failed in this calling, but the way was opened for Jews and Gentiles to form a kingdom of priests. Today, around the world, there is a kingdom of priests—the church which is His body—that has been saved by God's grace. They serve as ongoing intercessors for the nations, praying daily "for kings and those in authority." They provide visible evidence of God—a godly people. We are called to "be ye holy, for I am holy," demonstrating the praises of God, who has "called them out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Covenants establish a special relationship between two parties. In this case, one is strong, and the other is weak, but the Strong One is willing to commit to this union. Covenants come with a list of obligations that each party agrees to, some specific and others general. Believers in Christ are all priests who can offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. Even our bodies are to be offered, which is our “priestly service” [Rom.12:1-2].
Two and a half months had passed since the Israelites left Egypt after the Passover. God had told Moses earlier that He would return to the place where He first spoke to him out of the burning bush. This time, all the Israelites were there, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. God established a further covenant with Abraham’s descendants, reaffirming His commitment to His promise to Abraham. At Sinai, He would give laws and guidelines for how to live so the people would understand what blessings their obedience could bring. They would also be warned of the consequences of disobeying the covenant.
God's covenant with Israel assured them of their special relationship with Him. It clearly expressed His desire to establish a covenant with them so that His "Salvation" (Jesus) would come to bless the world through them. He also made a covenant with Israel that His laws, which are in the hearts of every person, would be written down in words. The law is written on the hearts of all people, and their conscience testifies to this fact. Therefore, the whole world is guilty before God.
Through Israel, that law would be clearly outlined, along with the consequences of breaking it. The main purpose was that, as a "schoolmaster," the law would lead us to the knowledge of sin. The Jews were also chosen to communicate these truths to all humanity. In this way, they were a "peculiar treasure unto Me (God)." They failed in their covenant responsibilities, so this has been passed on to a heavenly people who are a "kingdom of priests"—the church. In Jesus Christ's future reign, Israel will fulfill their chosen, covenantal role when the Lord Jesus Christ sits on David's throne.
Moses met with the Lord on Mount Sinai and returned to deliver God’s message to the people. God spoke clearly to them. Then, Moses went back up the mountain to give God the people's response to His side of the covenant. As they watched him go, it was clear they needed to understand the huge difference between the Holy God and sinful people. Sometimes, words do not fully show how great that difference is.
The people were reminded of what God had done when He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. He was their great Deliverer. In a significant reference to a female golden eagle carrying her young on her wings, God reminded them that He was also their Provider and Protector. Moses then took their reply to God, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Nations, as well as individuals, have free will. The purposes of God do not override the responsibility tied to free will. We are free to decline God’s invitation to establish a covenant because it requires loyalty and obedience to Him.
Those who have personally accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior are expected to be holy, peculiar people who are passionate about doing what is right. As a “royal priesthood,” we are recognized as people who represent our Lord Jesus. As a “holy priesthood,” we can approach God at any time and express our gratitude when we present our requests to Him.
When Moses came down from that cloud-covered mountain the second time, the people had to realize there are barriers of respect, honor, and holiness that separate a casual seeker of God from the One who is "glorious in holiness." The holiness of God had to become real to those people, just as it is for us today. Bowed heads, hushed voices, reverence, obedience, and a broken heart are marks of someone who recognizes who God is.
No nation can become His people without everyone being born again and becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus. That is essential just to be in the kingdom of God. The uniqueness of Israel is that through that small nation, blessings have come to the entire world. It was the channel through which “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The Father did not send Him to condemn the world, but so that “the world through Him might be saved.” The benefits of entering into this covenant relationship with God include the privilege and responsibility of experiencing God’s original purpose for humanity. God dwells with a “holy nation.”