BibleProject | One Story: Foundations of the Bibleಮಾದರಿ

Despite the people’s faltering in the wilderness, God still wants to partner with them. They are given a momentous opportunity to serve God—not as dehumanized slaves but as honored co-workers. Today’s video explains covenants throughout the biblical story and how they showcase God’s faithfulness even when his partners stumble.

The covenant God makes with Israel includes commands meant to bring about flourishing. Some of those laws make sense to us today. Don’t murder. Don’t steal. Don’t worship other gods. Check. But other laws can be confusing, frustrating, or even maddening for modern readers.

It’s important to remember that these laws embody God’s wisdom for a specific people in their time and place. The morals, customs, and values of the Israelites’ ancient Near Eastern context were often very different from our own. God’s laws work within that culture, patiently but powerfully restoring Edenic conditions.

We should also remember that God’s laws accommodate a world marred by sin and death. In an Eden-like world, women would not experience the immense grief of widowhood nor the fear of someone exploiting their vulnerable state. The command to care for widows shows that God knows the world bends toward brokenness. His commands, therefore, restrain evil and do good, often going against the common ways of the world. When understood in their context, God’s laws reveal his ultimate desire for his people to produce love, justice, goodness, and peace.

After Moses reads the terms of the covenant to the Israelites, the people accept them. That’s another step forward in God’s plan to rescue and bless his world. His promises press on!

Reflection questions:

• Where is God’s wisdom seen in Israel’s covenant law code? What aspects of God’s character might these laws reveal in ancient Israel’s context?
• God could rule the world all by himself, but he desires to share his rule and partner with humanity. What does this tell us about his character?