RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT

RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT (EXODUS 34:1 – 14)

The renewal of the covenant came after Moses pleaded with God not to destroy the Israelites after they broke the covenant. God spared the Israelites. God agreed to renew the covenant with the Israelites. He gave them several conditions for its renewal.

Conditions for the renewal of the covenant

The Israelites were:

1. a) To obey God’s commandments
2. b) Not to make any treaty with those who lived in the land where they were going.
3. c) To break down their altar, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah (Idols).

Not to worship any other god and not to make idols for worship.

1. d) To keep the feast of unleavened bread (Passover).
2. e) Not to marry people form other tribes.
3. f) To rest on the Sabbath day.
4. g) To sacrifice and offer their best produce and animals to God.

God in turn promised to

1. a) Bless them. Protect and preserve the Israelites.
2. b) Make them prosper so much that the surrounding nations would enquire about their source of wealth and success.

With these conditions, the covenant between God and the Israelites was renewed. From the making and renewal of the covenant, it is clear that:

(i) God expected the Israelites to obey and have faith in Him

(ii) God wanted a personal relationship with Israelites.

(iii) God is the only one to be worshipped.

(iv) God is powerful.