4.3 The Old Covenant established at Mount Sinai

The Bible always contrasts between two covenants - the Old and the New (Hebrews 8:7, 13). Today, let us talk about the Old Covenant that was cut at Mount Sinai between God and Israel.

The Old Covenant was cut with the blood of animals (Heb 9:18-20).

The covenant terms

The Old Covenant revolved around the Mosaic Law. Israel had to fulfill the full demands of the law in order to attain to righteousness. The law demanded righteousness from sinners without providing it (Deut 6:25).

(Deut 6:25, NKJV)
Then it will be RIGHTEOUSNESS for us, if we are careful to OBSERVE ALL these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.

If Israel succeeded in keeping the law, they would be righteous, and they would be blessed (Deut 28:1-2). If they broke the law, they would come under the curse as sinners (Deut 28:15). The blessings are great but the curses are horrible. So Israel knew that they had to keep the law with all the effort they can muster from within themselves.

The righteousness of man

The Old Covenant was about the performance of man. It demonstrates the righteousness that comes from man, or rather the lack of it.

(Rom 10:3, NKJV)
For they [Israel] being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Paul said, “That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is from the law…” (Phil 3:9).

Those who boast in their ability to keep the law are actually putting confidence in their own righteousness. The Pharisees boasted in their law-keeping and they were self-righteous. They looked down on those were less “righteous” than them, and they were angry when Jesus ate with sinners. They were the ones that missed out on Jesus.

Today, if we boast in our performance in keeping the law, we will be hindered from experiencing Christ in a fulfilling relationship.