SINAI COVENANT
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) A covenant is a legally binding obligation (promise). Throughout history God has made covenants with his people - he would keep his side if they would keep theirs.
b) Here is one of the 7 covenants found in the Bible.
1. Name: "Sinai Covenant"
a) Reference text: Exodus 19:5-6
i) 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV)
2. God's promise
a) Israel would be God's special people, a holy nation. But they would have to keep their part of the covenant - obedience.
3. Sign
a) The Exodus.
4. What is the text all about?
a) God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery. Now he was ready to tell them what it was: Israel was to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation where anyone could approach God freely. It didn't take long , however, for the people to corrupt God's plan. God then established Aaron's descendants from the tribe of Levi as priests, representing what the entire nation should have been. But with the coming of Jesus Christ, God has once again extended his plan for all believers. We are to become a holy, a "royal priesthood" (see 1 Peter 2:9). The death and resurrection of Christ has allowed each of us to approach God freely.
@1. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)
b) Why did God choose Israel as his nation? God knew that no nation on earth was good enough to deserve to be called his people, his "special treasure." He chose Israel, not because of anything they had done, but in his love and mercy he chose Israel in spite of the wrong the nation had done and would do. Why did he want to have a special nation on earth? To represent his way of life, to teach his Word, and to be an agent of salvation to the world. "All the nations of the earth" would be blessed through Abraham's descendants. Gentiles and kings would come to the Lord through Israel, predicted Isaiah (see Isaiah 60:3).
@1. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:3 NKJV)
c) Through the nation of Israel, the Messiah, God's chosen Son, would be born. God chose one nation and put it through a rigorous training program, so that one day it could be a channel for his blessings to the whole world.
d) In Genesis 15 & 17, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to make his descendants into a great nation. Now that promise was being realized as God restated his agreement with the Israelite nation, the descendants of Abraham. God promised to bless and care for them. The people promised to obey him. The covenant was thus sealed. But the good intentions of the people quickly wore off. How are you holding up your end of the bargain?
The End ...
0. Introductiona) A covenant is a legally binding obligation (promise). Throughout history God has made covenants with his people - he would keep his side if they would keep theirs.
b) Here is one of the 7 covenants found in the Bible.
1. Name: "Sinai Covenant"
a) Reference text: Exodus 19:5-6
i) 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV)
2. God's promise
a) Israel would be God's special people, a holy nation. But they would have to keep their part of the covenant - obedience.
3. Sign
a) The Exodus.
4. What is the text all about?
a) God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery. Now he was ready to tell them what it was: Israel was to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation where anyone could approach God freely. It didn't take long , however, for the people to corrupt God's plan. God then established Aaron's descendants from the tribe of Levi as priests, representing what the entire nation should have been. But with the coming of Jesus Christ, God has once again extended his plan for all believers. We are to become a holy, a "royal priesthood" (see 1 Peter 2:9). The death and resurrection of Christ has allowed each of us to approach God freely.
@1. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)
b) Why did God choose Israel as his nation? God knew that no nation on earth was good enough to deserve to be called his people, his "special treasure." He chose Israel, not because of anything they had done, but in his love and mercy he chose Israel in spite of the wrong the nation had done and would do. Why did he want to have a special nation on earth? To represent his way of life, to teach his Word, and to be an agent of salvation to the world. "All the nations of the earth" would be blessed through Abraham's descendants. Gentiles and kings would come to the Lord through Israel, predicted Isaiah (see Isaiah 60:3).
@1. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:3 NKJV)
c) Through the nation of Israel, the Messiah, God's chosen Son, would be born. God chose one nation and put it through a rigorous training program, so that one day it could be a channel for his blessings to the whole world.
d) In Genesis 15 & 17, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to make his descendants into a great nation. Now that promise was being realized as God restated his agreement with the Israelite nation, the descendants of Abraham. God promised to bless and care for them. The people promised to obey him. The covenant was thus sealed. But the good intentions of the people quickly wore off. How are you holding up your end of the bargain?
The End ...
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