3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:

4 ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.

6 And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

— Exodus 19:3-6

1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.

2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

— Genesis 12:1-3

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

God is a covenant God. In biblical language, a covenant is a promise made by God, frequently accompanied by a sign, to an individual or group. A covenant can be conditional or unconditional. God’s covenant with Israel through Moses was conditional. His promised blessings depended upon their obedience to His law’s commands. From the time of Moses to Malachi, the priestly obligations and people’s tithes expressed their agreed participation in God’s conditional covenant.

An example of an unconditional covenant is God’s covenant with Abraham. God promised to make Abraham into a great nation and bless all people through Abraham’s offspring – the Messiah – with no strings attached. Because God keeps His every promise, we can rest assured that God will perfectly uphold and keep His covenant promises to His people throughout history, today, and forever.