The Mutual “I do”

Exodus 19:3-8 “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”

What we just witnessed here can be paraphrased as:

Do you Hebrews take YHWH as your Lord and Savior? “We do.” Do you YHWH take these whiny Hebrews as your chosen people? “I do.”

This is an oath to be in relationship with YHWH forever. It is a forever marriage.

Also, we have seen another important God pattern: First, God makes us aware of His presence, Second, He asks the question: will you listen, obey and follow Me? Third, if we respond yes, then He enters into a relationship with us and begins to acquaint us with His will for our lives.

The purpose of the Mt. Sinai Instructions are to show men what God’s principles and attributes and morals are, and what pleases and displeases Him.How else will we know what God’s definition of sin is?

It’s the same procedure for us with Christ: we’re made aware of His presence, then following His offer to be our Lord, and IF by our own choice we respond with a “yes”, He enters into relationship with us and guides us according to the Father’s will.

The words from here in Exodus to the end of Deuteronomy are the will of the Father.

Why would anyone think that the principle for entering into a relationship with Yehoveh would be different for us today, than it was for Israel, at Mt. Sinai, a mere 3400 years ago? Time is irrelevant to God.

Peter reminds us of this: 1 Peter 2:9-10 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Paul reminds us of this: Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

And most importantly God reminds us of this in Jesus Christ: Matthew 5:17-19 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

For those that are screaming legalism – pay attention – This the 3 fold pattern of God.

1. We are made aware of God’s presence and our need for Him.

2. Salvation by Grace (1Peter 2 “obtained mercy”) through Faith. That is the mutual “I do’s”

3. It is up to us to learn the Fathers will…. the Instructions… so we know how to please Him.

1 John 3:22 “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”