Exodus 19-20

What's Happening?

So far, the book of Exodus has shown us a relentless God who is pursuing, winning, and securing his bride’s affection to the exclusion of all other gods and lovers. Now, on Mount Sinai, God wants to formalize his relationship with Israel through a covenant (Exodus 19:3-6). A covenant was an ancient treaty where a more powerful nation would make promises to a weaker nation conditioned by the more vulnerable nation’s obedience to a set of laws. God explains that out of all the people in the world, Israel has a unique and treasured place in his heart. He has chosen Israel to rise above their slavery and become a kingdom that will bless the world (Exodus 19:4-6). When the elders of Israel hear this, they enthusiastically agree to do everything God says (Exodus 19:7-8).

God tells Moses to prepare for their kingdom’s founding and their covenant ceremony with God. In three days, God will appear to all of Israel and speak to them. So God’s people must prepare themselves to meet God (Exodus 19:9-15). Then, just as Moses said, on the third day, an earthquake shakes the Israelites’ camp as smoke and fire engulf the summit of Sinai (Exodus 19:16-19). Moses quickly climbs into the flames to accept God’s covenant, warning his people to stay back (Exodus 19:20-25). Loud enough for all of Israel to hear, God summarizes what he expects of his people in ten commands (Exodus 20:1-17). But terrified by God’s voice, Israel asks that from now on, Moses would speak to God privately and relay God’s words and laws to them (Exodus 20:18-21). Moses agrees and approaches God alone to receive the rest of the covenant.

The additional laws Moses receives all deal with how this group of ex-Egyptian slaves will become God’s distinct covenant people. This section begins and ends with a command to worship God only (Exodus 20:3, 23). These ex-Egyptians would have been familiar with Egypt’s gods, but God warns they must worship only him and only how he prescribes (Exodus 20:22-23; 23:13-19). God then gives Moses 42 laws that apply the principles in the first ten commands to specific situations that would likely arise in Israel (Exodus 21:1-23:12). The number 42 is an intentional reference to the creation week, where God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. There are six sets of seven laws, followed by a promise that God will protect his people as they enter their homeland (Exodus 23:20-33). God promises a new creation for his covenant people as they follow his laws.

God’s people enthusiastically accept his covenant (Exodus 24:1-7). Then, in a ceremonial action that ratifies their covenant with God, Moses sprinkles animal blood on the people (Exodus 24:8). After this ceremony, God appears to Moses and Israel's elders and shares a meal to celebrate their new covenant relationship (Exodus 24:9-11). God then calls Moses to speak to him privately. And for the next 40 days Israel doesn’t hear from Moses (Exodus 24:12-18).

Where is the Gospel?

God wants to be in covenant with his people. And as God’s actions prove, a covenant is more than a treaty between two nations. A covenant is a relationship based on love. Later, biblical authors will describe the ceremony on Sinai as a wedding where God exchanged vows with his wife, Israel (Hosea 2:16-18; Jeremiah 2:2; 31:31-32; Ezekiel 16:8-14). More than any other type of relationship he could enter into, God wants to be in a committed relationship with his people.

God’s pursuit of his people does not end on Sinai. And God’s rescue of Israel from slavery is not the ultimate expression of his covenant affection. God’s pursuit continued when God, not content with one meal among the elders of Israel, became a human named Jesus and lived among the people he loved (John 1:1-14). Just as Moses gathered his people on a mountain to define their unique covenant relationship with God, Jesus gathered his disciples on a mountain and said all who abide by his teachings will be included in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:1-12; 7:28-29). And just as God’s covenant with Israel was ratified through the blood of an animal and celebrated over a feast, at a feast, Jesus announces that his blood is how God’s New Covenant will be ratified. Everyone who trusts him will be included in God’s Kingdom (Luke 22:20). Jesus then dies to make it so. Jesus is a relentless God who has died to secure an ultimate covenant relationship with his people (Romans 5:16-18). Jesus is like a good husband who has died so his bride can live. In other words, God loves you. Every page of the Bible is filled with story after story of God’s relentless pursuit of your affection. So like the people of Israel, accept the blood of Jesus’ covenant and know that God will provide all you need.

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who wants to be in covenant with his people. And may you see Jesus as the one who secures the ultimate covenant through his blood.