A Covenant Relationship

Deuteronomy 29:2–4, 9–18

Moses gathers his fellow Israelites, reminding them of the miracles they saw in Egypt but highlighting their lack of spiritual understanding. He urges them to follow God’s covenant, His promise to them, so they can thrive. This covenant is for everyone, from the top leaders down to the strangers living among them. He emphasizes that the covenant makes them God’s people, and they need to be truly devoted to Him and not follow other gods.

1. The special nature of the covenant

A covenant is like an agreement, but it’s based on love and commitment. Each party puts the other’s needs first. This is different from how modern society often thinks, which can focus more on individual happiness. However, our relationship with God should be like a covenant, because that’s how God chooses to relate to us.

2. The mystery of the covenant

Like any agreement, a covenant has terms and conditions. If you meet them, you get rewards; if not, there are penalties. The Bible’s main message is about the tension between God’s justice and His mercy. This raises questions about His holiness and faithfulness. But God made a covenant promise to Abraham, and He took on the curse of the covenant Himself. This is seen in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, which offers a way out from the curse of the law.

3. The hero of the covenant

Jesus Christ met all the conditions of the covenant at a great cost, which allows us to experience God’s unconditional love. This truth of the gospel encourages us to trust completely in God and commit to being part of the church. It invites us to have a real, close relationship with God, who made this covenant with us, not just understanding it as an idea.