The Mosaic Covenant: Ten Words

Bruce Waltke discusses the Ten Commandments, the Law of Moses, and the relationship between the Old and New Covenants.

Defining God's People

• Differentiating between the economies of God and defining who the people of God are
• The significance of land and nationhood in the Old and New Testaments

Risen, Yet Not Yet: Rest in Christ

• Concept of "already and not yet" in scripture
• The final rest for God's people is found in Christ

The Constitution of Israel: The Ten Commandments

• The Ten Commandments as Israel's constitution
• Contrast between the Ten Commandments and other national constitutions, such as the American Constitution

Christian Responses to the Law

• Three theological perspectives on the relationship between the law of Moses and Christ:
  1. Dispensationalist view (law entirely done away)
  2. Theonomist view (nations under the law)
  3. Reformed view (application of the law's equity to contemporary societies)

The Threefold Division of the Law

• Articulated by Thomas Aquinas, validated exegetically by the speaker
• The law is divided: moral, ceremonial, and judicial

The Sinai Covenant and Its Historical Context

• Examination of Exodus 19 and the covenant between God and Israel
• Distinction between redemption from Egypt and the Sinai covenant
• Symbolism of Moses receiving the law on the mountain

Israel as a Covenant People

• Israel's election as a people of God by sovereign grace, not by merit
• God's love and faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and Israel

Motivations for Covenant Faithfulness

• Different types of power (coercion, reward, and conditioning) used to motivate people
• Israel’s covenant relationship with God motivated by gratitude and grace

Covenant Structure: Comparison to Ancient Treaties

• God's covenant with Israel compared to ancient Hittite treaties
• Importance of historical prologues and stipulations in the covenant

New Covenant: A Deeper Relationship

• Jeremiah 31 and the promise of a new covenant written on hearts
• Differences between the old covenant, written on stone, and the new covenant, internalized by the Holy Spirit

Mediating the Covenants

• Moses as the mediator of the Old Covenant, Christ as the mediator of the New Covenant
• The New Covenant is eternal and based on better promises

Application of the Law

• The Ten Commandments as an eternal moral law, while ceremonial and judicial laws were specific to Israel
• Importance of the law for ethics and justice in the church

Conclusion

• Israel’s role as God’s treasured possession, a priestly kingdom, and a holy nation
• The church inherits this role through the New Covenant in Christ

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.