18. Covenant Failure Series

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 18 – COVENANT FAILURE]

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

Last time we looked at the story of Moses and the exodus.

• They arrived at Mt. Sinai where God takes another important step in his plan of redemption, to restore the relationship with mankind.

• He establishes a covenant with the children of Israel to guide them into becoming His special people.

• The main purpose of the covenant was outlined in Exodus 6.

• Exodus 6:6-8 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.

• So outlined once again is God’s determination to prepare a holy people within whom He can come and dwell.

• God started the process of reconciliation with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but now expands the relationship to include a nation.

So let’s take a closer look at the conditions of the Mosaic covenant in the same way we looked at the earlier covenants.

• Not going to spend a lot of time going through the chart as you can check the scripture references yourself to verify the conclusions.

Covenant between God and Israel. (See chart below).

However, we can’t leave this covenant without looking a little more closely at a couple of aspects that have led to some unfortunate misunderstandings about the Old and New Covenants.

• These misunderstandings revolve around two aspects, first, the term “everlasting” used in reference to the Mosaic Covenant, and second, the role of the Ten Commandments in the age of the New Covenant.

Let’s look at the term “everlasting.”

• Sabbatarian’s claim that the reason they observe the seventh day Sabbath and not Sunday is because the Mosaic Covenant was still in effect because it was to be an “everlasting covenant.”

• Exodus 31:16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant.

• But was it an everlasting covenant?

• As part of the Mosaic Covenant agreement, both parties promised to abide by certain conditions.

• Exodus 19:3-8 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

• From God’s side he promised He would make them his treasured possession and bless them.

• But the agreement was conditional on the people’s obedience from their side.

• V.7-8 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

• The Israelites for their part promised to abide by the terms of the agreement. In other words, the covenant was conditional on both parties upholding their side of the agreement.

• We all know what happened don’t we. Israel didn’t do any better than Adam and Eve.

• In fact, immediately after agreeing to obey their side of the covenant, they proceeded to build a golden calf while Moses was back up on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God.