The Covenant
God then led the nation of Israel through the wilderness to the Red Sea. When Pharaoh changed his mind yet again and pursued Israel, trapping them on the shore, God parted the sea. After Israel safely crossed, God closed the waters on Pharaoh and his armies.
God’s presence was with Israel in the desert as a cloud by day and a fire by night. As the cloud moved, Israel followed. Israel was slow to trust God and believe that He could provide for them in the wilderness, but He was patient with them and miraculously provided manna for food and water from the rock.
God led Israel to Mount Sinai, where He told the Israelites, You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:4-6a)
A covenant is a binding agreement. God set the conditions of this covenant with Israel in the law, the Torah, which is contained in the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy. God judged Israel when they failed to do what God required of them, but God stayed true to His promises even through those times of failure and judgment.
God could have chosen another nation greater than Israel, but God is sovereign. He is free to do as He pleases. Israel was chosen by God out of love, not because they were better than any other nation. It was a choice made in the heart of God. They were His treasure.
God’s people are precious to Him. But as God’s chosen people Israel had a calling, a profession to fulfill. God would be their King, and they would be a unique kingdom, a holy kingdom of priests. The priesthood lost to Adam and Eve in the garden when they sinned was given to Israel as a nation. Later, God would designate Aaron and his descendants to offer animal sacrifices in the tabernacle and the temple, but the whole nation had a calling to be priests. As such, all of them were to know God, worship Him, be holy, or be set apart to God. If Israel had truly become a nation of priests, they could have taught other nations about God and become the blessing to all nations that God spoke to Abraham about in Genesis chapter twelve. (1 Peter 2:4-10; Genesis 9:9-20, 15:1-21; Exodus 2:23-25)
Discovery Bible Studies
Lesson #12: The Covenant
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- As Israel journeyed out of Egypt, how did God lead them?
- How does God lead us?
- What is a covenant?
- What does it mean to be God’s special treasure? (see Psalm 135:4)
- How could Israel be a kingdom of priests?
- Note how much of what God spoke to Israel in Exodus 19 is here spoken about us.
- As a holy priesthood, what kind of sacrifices do we offer?
- How does God see those who believe (verse 7)?
- Under the old covenant Israel was chosen to be God’s people. Who now makes up the people of God under the new covenant?
Additional passages for study: Genesis 9:9-20, 15:1-21; Exodus 2:23-25
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