Covenant Renewal

Series on Exodus

IX. The Compromise of God’s People

D. The Covenant Reaffirmed, Text: 34:1-28

Title: Covenant Renewal

Introduction

This is the last message on the book of Exodus, and as we begin I would like to remind you of the important principles taught in Exodus. First of all we learn here that we are separated from God by our sinful state. Secondly, we learn that God delivers his people in mercy and has provided the only way to come to him, through the vicarious substitution of a sacrifice. Thirdly we learn that this way is uncompleted in Exodus because the people are still kept at a distance. Fourthly we learn that God makes covenant demands of those whom he has delivered, and that to remain in covenant relationship to Him requires that we hear and obey. And lastly we learn that God will not utterly cast off his people but he preserves them in spite of their disobedience provided that they repent. That is where we are in this final consideration. God has not destroyed the people for their idolatry. He has heard Moses pleading on their behalf, and now He renews the covenant with them. In this renewal we see the principles of the covenant relationship set forth. Let us not forget that the idea of a public covenant with God is fundamental to Biblical faith. God has said, I will be your God and you will be my people, and the confirmation of that is found in the contract of care on God’s part and commitment on the part of the people. We will see in this study the following principles: the word, worship, wonders, and wisdom.

I The Word

Like all covenants in the ancient near east God’s covenant has documents. A covenant document is referred to in Chapter 24:7, Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” At the heart of God’s covenant are the tablets of the law which were placed later in the mercy seat in the tabernacle. The first tablets had been broken by Moses and now new ones are made according to verses 1-7, and in verse 4 we read, So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. It is of importance to note what God says as he comes, verses 5-7, Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” He proclaims his name which is the revelation of Himself. As we have seen before, His character is revealed here as holy love. This is what God is forever in His relationship to His people and this is what his Word teaches us. The Bible is our covenant document and it is the foundation of our relationship to God. All covenant renewal must begin here with knowing God.

II The Worship

Ancient covenants between men demanded respect but not worship. However, as you know, kings in the ancient world actually demanded that their subjects worship them, but we recognize that was inappropriate. God in his covenant properly demands worship. This is not an agreement between equals. It is between the creator and the creature; between one who is absolute and those that are relative; between total independence and total dependence. Moses falls on his face before he says anything, verses 8 and 9, Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. “O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes,” he said, “then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” As he had been taught at the burning bush, the very ground is sacred. He cannot plead until he worships in awe. This is godly fear, appropriate reverence and wonder. It never ends. No promise of mercy, no pledge of grace, no kindness shown, no compassion demonstrated can change it one bit. In the covenant we fall on our faces.

III The Wonders

In the covenant God pledges to care for his people. He not only delivers them He preserves them. He moves nature and history, people, things and events to one end for their good, as we read in verse 10, Then the LORD said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.” We call these signs and wonders and miracles, but to God they are just part of the covenant and they all serve the end of deliverance not just in the moment of their happening but in their significance for the ages to come. This is God’s part and it is not specific, that is, he does not have to list the specifics because all that he does is for their good. The same is true for us as Paul states in Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

IV The Wisdom

The wisdom circumscribes the people’s part in the covenant, and this is very specific because of the tendency of the people to break the covenant. It is God’s wise counsel to instruct them how they may fulfill their obligations. It consists of at least three vital prohibitions: no compromise, no covetousness and no carelessness.

A No Compromise,

They will be surrounded by idolatry and all the evil practices that accompany it and so they must remain separate from the people in the land, verses 12-17, Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same. Do not make cast idols. They must make no treaties, they must drive their enemies out and destroy every vestige of their religion, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. They are to make no idols like them. the same is true of us, Unfortunately we allow many things in our lives that represent the false religions of our times including secularism. We ought to be on our guard to protect our covenant with the Lord by avoiding such intrusions of worldly perspective into our lives and the lives of our children.

B No Covetousness

They are to be satisfied with what the Lord will give them because that will be what is good for them. As we read in verses 20 and 26 they are to surrender to God what belongs to him with glad hearts, cheerfully, No one is to appear before me empty-handed, and, Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. The great danger is that they will become covetous and greedy and wish to appear successful in this world just like us. They are rather to lay up treasure in heaven. Godliness with contentment is great gain. These offerings include their time as they faithfully observe the sabbath

C No Carelessness

They must follow the prescriptions of God for worship faithfully. Some of these prescriptions are found in verse 18 and verses 21-23, Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest. Celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. They need to remember that the way to approach God has been carefully prescribed. No other way is acceptable, and being lax about these things whether in their manner or their practice will lead to disobedience in the covenant. They must not, like modern Christians are often wont to do, neglect the assembling of themselves together, or choose forms of worship that tickle their fancy. According to the author of Hebrews major key to perseverance is our proper observance of God’s commandments in worship, Chapter 10:23-25, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Conclusion

This then is the heart of covenant obedience in a relationship with the true and living God, listen to His Word, worship Him, have confidence in His care, and be diligent to make your calling and election sure.