Exodus 19:1 to 19:6; 24:1 to 24:18 Having redeemed his people by grace, God calls them into a covenant relationship of holy love, ethical obedience, and priestly witness. Explore the character of the Mosaic covenant established at Mount Sinai. Understand the purpose of the Ten Commandments as covenant stipulations for redeemed people. Analyze the covenant ratification ceremony with sprinkled blood and the elders' vision of God. Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel camped at the foot of Mount Sinai in the desert, where God had first spoken to Moses from the burning bush. The Royal Charter: Priests to the Nations At the foot of Mount Sinai, God spoke tender words: "You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." Notice the sequence: grace came before law! God did not give commands to earn redemption; he redeemed them first. God proposed the covenant terms: "If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples... and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Thunder, Trumpets, and the Ten Commandments On the third day, Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire. Thunder rolled, lightning flashed, and a supernatural trumpet sounded louder and louder. God spoke the Ten Commandments, instructing them to have no other gods, to make no idols, to honor his holy name, to observe the Sabbath, to honor parents, and to refrain from murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and covetousness. The Blood of the Covenant and the Sapphire Vision In Exodus 24, Moses built an altar, read the Book of the Covenant to the assembled people, and they responded, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." Moses took the blood of oxen and dashed half against the altar and sprinkled half on the people, saying, "Behold the blood of the covenant." Then Moses, [Aaron](/bible/explorer/person/aaron), and seventy elders went up the mountain and saw the God of Israel, with what looked like pavement of sapphire stone under his feet, and they ate and drank in peace. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples. Exodus 19:5 What came first in God's dealings with Israel at Sinai: redemption or law? Redemption came first; God rescued them before giving commands The law came first; they had to obey before being rescued They happened at the exact same second without connection Israel earned salvation through good works Redemption came first; God rescued them before giving commands Exodus 19:4 emphasizes that God bore them on eagles' wings to himself before giving the law. What special calling did God give to Israel in Exodus 19:6? A kingdom of priests and a holy nation An army of conquering warriors The richest merchants in the world A private club with no outsiders A kingdom of priests and a holy nation Israel was called to represent God to surrounding nations as a kingdom of priests. What was sprinkled on the altar and on the people to ratify the Sinai covenant? The blood of sacrificed oxen Water from the Jordan river Sweet olive oil Wine and honey The blood of sacrificed oxen Exodus 24:8 records Moses sprinkling the blood of the covenant on the altar and people. Review the Ten Commandments this week, and identify one command where your speech or heart thoughts need repentance and renewal. Holy God, you are a consuming fire, yet in your mercy you drew near to your people and established a covenant of grace. Thank you that in Christ, we are made a royal priesthood and a people belonging to your treasured possession. Help us to reflect your holy character in our words and actions every day. In Jesus' name, Amen. Why do rules and boundaries in a family or team actually show love and protection rather than cruelty? What does it mean for young Christians today to live as "a kingdom of priests" at school? Students discover the Sinai covenant, understanding that God's law is given to a redeemed people to shape them as a holy, counter-cultural community. Show a school rulebook or sports rulebook. Ask what a soccer game would look like with zero rules or referee. Rules protect the joy and integrity of the game! Can anyone keep the Ten Commandments perfectly? No human except Jesus could keep God's law perfectly. The law reveals our inability and points us to Christ our Savior (Galatians 3:24). 5 min Hook, 15 min Covenant Exposition, 10 min Memory Verse Tile Practice, 10 min Group Reflection, 5 min Prayer