Mosaic Covenant Series

Mosaic Covenant

Ratified through Blood

Revealed “God of the Covenant”

Revelation Given on Mount Sinai

DBF Sunday Sermon, 1/18/03, Exodus 24

You know that not that long ago it could be heard and many really believed that a “mans word was his bond”.

When two men came to an agreement on something then it was taken and acted upon.

I haven’t heard that term used very much since I left Louisiana as an eighteen year old boy, and I’m not sure if it is being used there now.

I do know that on a daily basis one can read in almost any national paper were people are suing one another for breaches in agreements, including Louisiana.

COVENANT

In modern times we define a host of relations by contracts. These are usually for goods or services and for hard cash. The contract, formal or informal, helps to specify failure in these relationships. The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with the church. He created a covenant. There is a difference. Contacts are broken when one of the parties fails to keep his promise. If, let us say, a patient fails to keep an appointment with a doctor, the doctor is not obligated to call the house and inquire, "Where were you? Why didn’t you show up for your appointment?" He simply goes on to his next patient and has his appointment secretary take note of the patient who failed to keep the appointment. The patient may find it harder the next time to see the doctor. He broke an informal contract.

According to the Bible, however, the Lord asks: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15)

The Bible indicates the covenant is more like the ties of a parent to her child than it is a doctor’s appointment. If a child fails to show up for dinner, the parent’s obligation, unlike the doctor’s, isn’t canceled. The parent finds out where the child is and makes sure he’s cared for. One member’s failure does not destroy the relationship. A covenant puts no conditions on faithfulness. It is the unconditional commitment to love and serve. Bruce Shelley.

This has been God’s way since the Adamic Covenant, through the Abrahamic Covenant, the Noahic Covenant and in every Covenant HE has made with us.

Let us look at what is required to ratify or complete the Covenant, the God of the Covenant, and the Revelation location as presented in Exodus Chapter 24.

Ratified through Blood

Exodus 24:1-8 (KJV)

And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. [2] And Moses alone shall come near the Lord: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

[3] And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do. [4] And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. [5] And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord. [6] And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. [7] And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. [8] And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.

And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. [2] And Moses alone shall come near the Lord: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him…Moses is told how to draw nigh to God, do you follow when told to do so also?

Hebrews 7:19 (KJV)

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 10:22 (KJV)

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

What a blessed invitation is given to Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel this day. We on the other hand are given this option daily and continually, do you take it or do you take it for granted.