What connections exist between Exodus 34:27 and the New Testament understanding of covenant? Scripture Focus “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.’” (Exodus 34:27) The Sinai Pattern: God Speaks, Man Writes • God’s covenant begins with His own words; Moses simply records what the Lord has revealed. • It is a covenant rooted in divine initiative, not human negotiation (cf. Deuteronomy 4:13). • The written form preserves, clarifies, and binds Israel to the terms given by God Himself. Continuity into the New Testament • The New Testament keeps the same structure: God initiates, reveals, and secures covenant promises. • Jesus declares, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). The wording mirrors Exodus 34:27—covenant “in accordance with these words,” now fulfilled in Jesus’ own declaration. Written Word and Incarnate Word • At Sinai the covenant words are etched on stone; in the gospel the covenant is embodied in Christ (John 1:14). • Hebrews 1:2 affirms that God “has spoken to us by His Son,” underlining the shift from inscribed tablets to a living, breathing revelation. Mediator Moses—Mediator Christ • Moses stands between God and Israel (Exodus 34:29-32). • Jesus becomes the superior Mediator (Hebrews 8:6), securing a “better covenant” on “better promises,” yet following the same divine pattern of a mediator conveying and establishing covenant terms. Sealed in Blood • Sinai’s covenant is ratified with sacrificial blood (Exodus 24:8). • The New Covenant is sealed with Christ’s own blood (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:11-14), fulfilling and surpassing the earlier pattern. Law on Tablets—Law on Hearts • Exodus 34:27 emphasizes written tablets; Jeremiah 31:33 foretells a day when the law is written on hearts. • The New Testament confirms this fulfillment: “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:6). Key Takeaways • Both covenants arise from God’s authoritative word; human responsibility is to receive, record, and obey. • The written covenant at Sinai foreshadows the embodied covenant in Christ, maintaining continuity while deepening intimacy. • The same God who carved His law in stone has now, through Christ, etched it upon believing hearts, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:15). |
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