This is part five of a seven-part series on the covenants of God. I realize the entire Bible is His covenant with humanity, but I am going to focus on these seven.
“At the foot of a trembling mountain, God delivered a covenant, not a ladder to salvation, but a mirror to reveal our need for a Savior.” Author unknown by me.
What does it mean to live under God’s law? The Mosaic Covenant, centered on the Ten Commandments and delivered through Moses, is perhaps the most intricate and misunderstood of biblical covenants. It’s tempting to see the Law as a checklist for salvation, but Scripture tells a deeper story, one of grace, not works. Let’s explore the context, terms, and purpose of this covenant, drawing from the Bible to uncover its role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Mosaic Covenant emerges against a dramatic backdrop. Moses, a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh’s court, exiled for defending his people, encounters God in a burning bush, the first revelation of God’s name, “I AM” (Exodus 3:14, KJV). Tasked with leading Israel out of Egyptian slavery, Moses becomes the mediator of God’s deliverance. The Exodus, a physical liberation from bondage, foreshadows Christ’s spiritual liberation from sin, creating a nation set apart for God.
At Mount Sinai, God formalizes His covenant with Israel. This isn’t a random rulebook; it’s the culmination of His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). Israel, now a great nation, is poised to inherit Canaan and bless the world through the Law. Unlike the patriarchs, who saw God’s presence sporadically, such as Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:12-13), Israel experiences God vividly, through pillars of fire, clouds, and the tabernacle (Exodus 13:21; 40:34). The Mosaic Covenant builds on Abraham’s, extending God’s grace to a people called to reflect His holiness.
The Mosaic Covenant, detailed in Exodus 19-20, is unique. God first redeems Israel, declaring, “I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself” (Exodus 19:4, KJV). Only then does He give the Law, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). This order matters: salvation precedes obligation. The Exodus mirrors our spiritual rebirth, freed from sin’s bondage to worship God with a new circumcised heart (Deuteronomy 30:6).
The covenant’s terms are profound. God promises to make Israel a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation if they obey His voice (Exodus 19:5-6). For the first time, God’s people vow to uphold their side: “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8). Yet, this isn’t a partnership of equals. God remains sovereign, His grace initiating the relationship. The Law, encompassing the Ten Commandments, ceremonial rituals, and civil codes, defines how Israel remains in this covenant, not how they earn it.
Exodus 19 (KJV) sets the stage: Sinai quakes, shrouded in fire and smoke, as God descends (Exodus 19:18). The people, sanctified and trembling, stand before the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 20:2). This isn’t an abstract code like a modern constitution; it’s a God-driven covenant, with God as King, calling for spiritual devotion to His holy name.
Can the Law save? The Ten Commandments seem to offer a path to righteousness: if we obey perfectly, salvation is ours. But none of us can. As the Bible reveals, we lack the ability to meet these standards. Even if we could obey, obedience alone doesn’t grant the righteousness needed for salvation; we need both obedience and righteousness, which we lack (Romans 3:10). Paul clarifies in Romans 3:27-28 (ESV): “One is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Galatians 3:11 (ESV) echoes, “No one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”
Salvation, in the Old Testament or New, is by faith in Christ alone. The Mosaic Covenant, like Abraham’s, is an extension of the Covenant of Grace. The Law doesn’t save; it sanctifies. It reveals God’s holiness and our inadequacy, driving us to Christ. As Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15, KJV). Obedience flows from love, not as a means to earn favor. The Law’s primary role is to expose our need for grace, pointing to Jesus as our only Savior.
Why the confusion? John’s Gospel contrasts Moses’ Law with Christ’s grace (John 1:17), but this doesn’t mean the Law lacks grace. Moses brought God’s revelation, but Christ fulfills it, offering the righteousness we can’t achieve. The Law was never about earning salvation but about living as God’s covenant people, a holy nation (Exodus 19:6).
Moses’ role amplifies the covenant’s significance. He’s a prophet, like Jesus, the Great Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15). Before Aaron, Moses served as priest, prefiguring Christ, our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). Though not a king, Moses led Israel, mirroring Jesus’ leadership. Most crucially, Moses mediated the old covenant, just as Jesus mediates the new (Hebrews 12:24). The Exodus, a redemptive act, parallels Christ’s work, freeing us from sin’s internal bondage.
The Mosaic Covenant fulfills Abraham’s promises: Israel becomes a nation, inherits Canaan, and, through the Law, blesses the world by modeling God’s justice (Deuteronomy 4:6-8). The Ten Commandments birthed civilization’s moral framework, a legacy enduring today.
Israel’s vow to obey was sincere but short-lived. Their covenant-breaking, through idolatry and disobedience, led to exile (2 Kings 17:7-18). Yet, the Law wasn’t the problem; human sin was. God’s grace persisted, promising a new covenant where He would write the Law on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Jesus fulfills this, offering righteousness through His perfect obedience (Romans 5:19).
The Mosaic Covenant challenges our assumptions. It’s not a relic but a mirror, showing our sin and God’s holiness. When we read the Ten Commandments, we see our failures: coveting, dishonoring, straying. But that’s the point: the Law drives us to Christ, who kept it perfectly for us. It’s not about earning salvation but living as God’s people, sanctified by grace.
This covenant also reframes obedience. Keeping God’s commands isn’t a burden; it’s a response to His love. In a world obsessed with self-reliance, the Law humbles us, revealing our need for a Savior. It’s a reminder that God’s presence, once at Sinai, now in our hearts through the Spirit, calls us to holiness.
Finally, the Mosaic Covenant connects us to God’s bigger story. From Abraham to Moses to Christ, it’s one narrative of grace. The Exodus freed a nation; Christ frees our souls. The Law pointed to righteousness; Jesus provides it. As we navigate faith, let’s cling to the God who redeems, not through our works, but through His Son.