God’s Story Is Our Story: From Genesis To JesusSample

Reflecting on the last week: These key verses mark the transition between the Exodus and the giving of the law. They also clarify the purpose of God’s law (called “covenant” here) for Israel. First, it is not a means of earning his love or redemption. As verse 4 points out, the Israelites were already saved from Egypt. Before they ever heard, agreed to, or obeyed the law, God graciously brought them to himself. Second, the law is a gift which teaches them how to live well in relationship with God as his “treasured possession.” Third, the law is the means by which Israel would pursue God’s mission. God is calling them to be a kingdom of priests - a people who represent God to the nations, and the nations to God. When they followed the law, they gave the onlooking nations a picture of God’s character. When they prayed for the nations, they called God to pour out his blessing on them. We can hear clear echoes of God’s mission through Abraham’s family: Bless the nations. Be the conduit for God’s life, love, justice and mercy. Be a living picture of it. How wonderful is it for us to know that we too are redeemed by grace, in order to know the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5)? What does it look like for us to be a picture of Jesus’ life, love, justice and mercy for the sake of people in our community? How would our city change if it got a taste of Christ’s righteous reign in us?