The Mosaic Covenant: A Covenant of Law and Redemption
The journey of God’s people, Israel, from the land of Egypt into the wilderness and toward the Promised Land is punctuated by the revelation of the Mosaic Covenant—a divine contract given to Moses on Mount Sinai that would define the relationship between God and Israel for generations to come. It stands as a significant chapter in redemptive history, revealing the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the necessity of a perfect sacrifice to restore the broken relationship between the Creator and His people. In this covenant, God gives His Law, sets forth a pattern of worship through the Tabernacle, and lays down a social code to regulate Israel’s life as a community. Each aspect of this covenant is designed to both define the people of Israel and reveal to the world the nature of God’s justice, mercy, and plan of salvation.
Introduction to the Mosaic Covenant
When God called Israel out of Egypt, He brought them into a new relationship with Himself. He had already established a covenant with Abraham, one based on promises of land, descendants, and blessing. But now, in the wilderness at Mount Sinai, He entered into a more explicit and detailed relationship with the nation. The Mosaic Covenant was established through the giving of the Law. This covenant is both conditional and comprehensive. It had stipulations that the people were to follow, which, if kept, would bring blessings, but if violated, would bring curses. In Deuteronomy 28, the covenantal blessings and curses are spelled out: obedience to the Law would bring prosperity, peace, and God’s favor, while disobedience would result in judgment, exile, and suffering.
God, in His wisdom, knew that humanity, marred by sin, would be unable to perfectly uphold these commandments, and thus, this covenant would point to the need for something greater—a Redeemer. Through the covenant, God revealed His standard of holiness and established a temporary means for atonement. But the Mosaic Covenant also raised an inevitable question: How can fallen humanity truly be restored to relationship with a holy God?
Three Main Parts of the Mosaic Covenant
The Mosaic Covenant is comprised of three main parts that interact with one another to reveal the nature of God’s Law and the need for redemption:
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The Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17),
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The Tabernacle and Sacrifices (Exodus 25 – Leviticus), and
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The Social Code (Exodus 21 – Deuteronomy).