The Bible in a Year

Old Testament

Exodus 20 to 34
Read this coming week:
Feb 7 Ex 20‐21, Ps 35, Mark 14 Feb 8 Ex 22‐23, Ps 36, Mark 15 Feb 9 Ex
24‐25, Ps 37:1‐22, Mark 16 Feb 10 Ex 26‐27, Ps 37:23‐40, Luke 1 Feb 11
Ex 28, Ps 38, Luke 2 Feb 12 Ex 29‐30, Ps 39, Luke 3 Feb 13 Ex 31‐32, Ps
40, Luke 4 Feb 14 Ex 33‐34, Ps 41, Luke 5

Reading Questions
For next week you’re reading Exodus 20 to 34. Answer
the following:
• How do the laws about slaves reflect the 10
commandments?
• How do the laws of God treat foreigners and
sojourners?
• How is the covenant between God and the
Israelites confirmed?
• What impresses you most about the design of the
tabernacle?
• Try to imagine what the priests of Israel would
have looked like with their priestly garments on.
 • What special rights and privileges do the priests
receive?
• What are the special talents bestowed and
consecrated by God to Oholiab and Bezalel?
• What is Aaron’s explanation of how the golden
calf was made?
• When Moses comes down from the mountain,
what all does he have with him?
The Function of Covenant Law
Far too often the Law of God is presented as the basis
for the relationship between God and man. The reality
of God’s covenant with Israel is that His covenant’s
basis is Gospel (grace bestowed upon mankind), and
that the Law is maintenance guide to the covenant.
While it is tempting to read the obedience of Israel as
the basis of the covenantal contract between God and
men, several factors point to a different reality:

1.) Israel’s disobedience – Israel disobeys God almost

immediately after Moses vanishes into the
darkness to speak with God. God clearly points
out that this would be enough to necessitate His
withdrawal from Israel, but He stays.
2.) Precursory action – God identifies Israel as His
people well before any formal covenant is put
before them. Exodus 20:2, just before the giving
of the ten commandments, explains to Israel that
YHWH is already the God of Israel.
3.) Covenant restrictions and content – The very
content of the covenant itself points to something
else as the basis of the relationship between God
and man. Covenantal laws simply provide a
(required) guide to keep the relationship healthy.

The function of the covenant law for Israel is the same

as the function of the new covenant law in Christianity.
The law cannot serve as the basis of our relationship
with God, but it does serve as a required guide to keep
that relationship healthy – especially from our end. Yet
the Gospel, the pure saving grace we are given by
Christ, will always be what forms the relationship
between us and God.

Please don’t throw this away. If you’re not going to use it, leave it for
someone else to use.