“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.”
Context:The book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible and continues the historical narrative of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to their eventual arrival at Mount Sinai. At Mount Sinai, God established a covenant with the Israelites, which included the giving of the Ten Commandments and various laws and regulations to govern their lives.
Divine Command:“And the LORD said unto Moses.” The verse begins with God speaking directly to Moses. Throughout the book of Exodus, we see Moses acting as the mediator between God and the Israelites, relaying God’s commands to the people.
Instruction to Write:“Write thou these words.” God instructs Moses to write down the words He is about to speak. This is not the first time God has commanded Moses to write things down, as the book of Exodus contains several instances where Moses is told to record specific information (e.g., Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4).
Establishing a Covenant:“For after the tenor of these words, I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.” God reaffirms that the words He has spoken constitute a covenant with both Moses and the entire nation of Israel. The covenant is an agreement between God and His people, establishing their relationship and the terms on which they will live as God’s chosen nation.
Spiritual Lessons:
Importance of Recording God’s Word: God values the preservation and accurate transmission of His Word. The act of writing down the words spoken by God was essential to ensure that future generations would have access to His commands, promises, and instructions. Today, we still benefit from the written Scriptures, which serve as a reliable guide for our lives.
The Covenant as a Divine Agreement: God’s covenant with the Israelites was not merely a set of rules but a relational agreement. It reflected God’s desire to be in a close relationship with His people and guide them in righteous living. Similarly, God’s covenant with humanity, established through Jesus Christ, is based on His love, grace, and desire to restore a broken relationship with humanity.
Faithfulness to God’s Word: The covenant God established with Israel required obedience and faithfulness. As we read further in Exodus and throughout the Old Testament, we see how the Israelites’ faithfulness to God’s commands affected their relationship with Him and the outcomes of their experiences.
Applying the Covenant Today:While the Old Covenant was specific to the nation of Israel, the principles found within it still hold significance for believers today. As Christians, we can find principles in the Old Covenant that guide us in our relationship with God and our interactions with others.
In conclusion, Exodus 34:27 reminds us of the importance of recording and preserving God’s Word, the significance of God’s covenant as a divine agreement, and the relevance of the Old Covenant’s principles for believers today. It also underscores the need for faithfulness and obedience in our relationship with God.
