Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites entered the Wilderness of Sinai. They followed the route from Rephidim, arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai, and set up camp. Israel camped there facing the mountain. ^3-6 As Moses went up to meet God, God called down to him from the mountain: “Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you’re special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.’ “This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel.” ⁷ Moses came back and called the elders of Israel together and set before them all these words which God had commanded him. ⁸ The people were unanimous in their response: “Everything God says, we will do.” Moses took the people’s answer back to God.” Exodus 19:1-8

“The Fifth theme of the Exodus: the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, where the “marriage covenant” between them and their God was sealed. God, for his part, gave them his law, the way of life through which they were to show the world what its maker had had in mind.” (“Re-Living the Exodus”,  Simply Jesus,  N. T. Wright, p. 65)

“Everything G-d says, we will do.” Now that sounds easy enough, but in truth it is hard to always do what G-d asks of us. G-d wanted a covenant with G-d’s people—sort of like a marriage. G-d wanted a relationship—where the people would be a treasure, like spouses are supposed to be with each other. In my marriage homily, I often tell the groom and the bride that they are giving their partner the best gift they could possibly give to someone—themselves. Marriage is supposed to be for life—a sharing of vows—a promise of fidelity; exactly what G-d wants with G-d’s people.

When we think about our lives, we soon realize that everything we have is a gift from G-d. Everything—the good and the bad—the law and the gospel—everything is a gift. Perhaps we need to understand this relationship with G-d is not like an absentee land-lord—but like a marriage, where each seeks to fulfill their promises of fidelity.

Pastor Dave