Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 28 September 2024
Title: “Behold, I make a covenant”
Text: Exodus 34:10-27

INTRODUCTION

1. Exodus 34:1-9
A “Reset”

2. But what needs to be reset?

3. Why did the people of Israel fail to keep the Covenant in the first place?

A COMPARISON WITH ABRAHAM AND THE (ABRAHAMIC) COVENANT THAT WAS GIVEN TO HIM

1. Abraham

a. A Covenant was given to Abraham (Genesis 15)

b. He was able to keep it

c. There was a close Relationship between him and God

i. They spoke together at length

ii. Abraham believed in God (Genesis 15:6)

iii. God called him “friend” (Isaiah 41:8)

2. Contrasted with Israel

a. The Sinaitic (Mosaic) Covenant was given expressly to the elders of Israel, as representative of the entire nation (Exodus 24:1, 9)

b. These elders were meant to teach the nation about God and His Covenant

(For God’s Covenant was given to the entire nation, and not just a single person)

c. But was it communicated properly or effectively?

d. The masses

i. They had little understanding about God

ii. They had little or no Relationship with God

iii. They broke the Covenant in the first instance that Moses was away

3. What needs to be Reset?

Israel’s Relationship with God

a. Abraham appreciated and treasured this Relationship

b. Israel also needs to appreciate this Relationship

c. Behind every Covenant, God is seeking to establish a Relationship

d. The Covenant will be easily broken if there is little or no Relationship

THE CONTEXT OF EXODUS 34:10-27

1. A “Reset” in Relationship must be sustained in order for it to be effective

2. Exodus 34:10-27

“Behold, I make a covenant.”

Exodus 34:10

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

Exodus 34:27

a. A description of the Sinaitic Covenant made with:

i. Moses

ii. The entire nation of Israel

b. But it contains not the full details, but highlights of it

c. They are Reminders for all of Israel to keep, in order for the relationship with God to be:

i. Fresh

ii. Well-preserved

iii. Strong

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SINAITIC COVENANT

1. A Reminder of what God would do for Israel Exodus 34:10

a. He will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation

b. He will do an awesome work with Israel

2. A Reminder of how Israel ought to respond Exodus 34:11-17
To be faithful to God

a. To not make any covenants with other inhabitants of the land
lest Israel ends up worshipping other gods together with them

b. To not make any molded god

3. A Reminder of how Israel ought to understand their family Exodus 34:19-20

a. The male firstborn of man or beast belongs to the Lord

b. To remind Israel that:

i. In the same way that a firstborn is loved and cherished, God sees and treats Israel as such

ii. Israel must reciprocate this relationship by placing God as foremost, above all else

4. A Reminder of how Israel ought to practise their faith Exodus 34:21-26

a. Weekly; to keep the Sabbath, for physical and spiritual rest

b. Seasonally; to observe the Religious Feast Days and make the effort to appear before the Lord three times a year

These are Reminders that help Israel to appreciate God in every aspect of life!

OUR APPLICATION

1. God graciously offers a “Reset”

2. But what is our Relationship with God like in the first place?

3. Are we taking heed to the Reminders given to us to grow our Relationship with God?

4. We have every encouragement to relate well to God

a. He offers His Relationship to every single person

b. It is this Relationship that will help us through life and give us our greatest joy