“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke,]though I was a husband to them, says the Lord, But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:31-33).
Our Father in heaven, we are very grateful for the tender mercies You offer us every morning. Without them we could not survive the trials, and temptations that come our way. Thank You for providing strength from within, to enable us to be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray! Amen.
Three months after the children of Israel left Egypt, guided by God, and led by Moses, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. And it was there at Mount Sinai, that after three days God came down, spoke to Moses, and gave Him instructions concerning the Covenant He would make with the children of Israel.
God told Moses to restrain the people, and keep them from coming near the mountain and touching it, The people saw and heard the great blast of the trumpet, and saw the moutain smoking. They heard the thunder and saw the lightning, and heard God speaking in a loud voice to Moses,
“And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘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 a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ ” These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel” ‘ ” (Exodus 19:3-6).
This was the response of the people: “Then all the people answered together and said, ‘ “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” ‘ ” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord” (8).
It is quite possible, that after all they had seen and heard, they were sincere in their response to be obedient, but in a matter of days, they had already failed to keep their part of the covenant. Because God made us, and knows us better than we know ourselves, He explained to Moses the reason for all the display of His power at the Mount, “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘ “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever” ‘ ” (9).
Nevertheless, as we tarry in this Scripture, and journey with the children of Israel for a few days, we will see, why, in spite of all that God did, it was necessary for Him to put His covenant within them!