Exodus 19:2-8 - by Don Neuendorf
Is it law-and-then-gospel, or is it gospel-and-then-law?
We normally preach God's law, which convicts us of sin, and then preach the gospel, the good news about his forgiveness and love for us so that we can be comforted in our grief over sin. But in this case God tells the Israelites the gospel first. "I carried you on eagles' wing and brought you to myself."
Why?...
What strength or what motivation do we have to obey God? Why should we keep his covenant? If we have already sinned and failed, then what's the use?
The Israelites had sinned again and again. They had already complained, already grumbled and cried out. They had been unfaithful in Egypt, and doubted God's power to save them. Their famous ancestors had sinned, selling Joseph into slavery, Jacob deceiving his brother, Abraham taking his wife's maid for a concubine. Why should they believe that this covenant would be any different - that they would be able to be faithful?
But God says, in spite of all that they have done. I rescued you. I brought you out. I fed you. I gave you water. I defeated your enemies. And I brought you here. Now... will you trust in me?
What would your answer be? What would God be able to list about how he has shown mercy to you?