Dr. Gerald Miller – “A Moral Basis for Covenant with God”

October 15, 2012

Read Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-17

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” – Exodus 20:5

God’s purpose in choosing Israel was to foster “a holy nation” that would learn what it means to fellowship with Him in covenant love.  The Ten Commandments give foundation to this covenant, making clear that right relationship with God carries moral implications.  We are not right with God if we are lax in our morals and wrongful toward one another.  20:5 often occasions misunderstanding.  God’s “jealousy” does not mean selfish envy or possessiveness.  God is not envious of other deities that some Israelites may turn to. 

God’s jealously refers to His “impassioned love.”  He desires the very best for those in relationship with Him and zealously treasures that love.  The other part of verse 5 means that the effects of one’s sin may show up in the character of one’s children and grandchildren.  We can pass on our sinful, emotionally destructive patterns to those who come after us.  This is what makes sin so insidious and tragic. God’s love for us, however, remains constant.  He has offered Himself, in the person of His Son, as an atoning sacrifice, so that all who believe in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.

CORNERSTONE:  Holiness

Previous Devotions

05/20/2013 - Dr. Sandra Gray – “The Mind of Christ”
05/13/2013 - Dr. Ken Pickerill – “A Foundation for Our Faith”
05/06/2013 - Dr. Claire Brown – “A Heart for the Lost”
04/29/2013 - Dr. Gerald Miller – “A Psalm of Wisdom”
04/22/2013 - Dr. Clair Budd – “An Ambitious Prayer”
04/15/2013 - Dr. Jon Kulaga – “Reliability of Scripture”
04/08/2013 - Mrs. Karen Koehn - "Choosing Well"
04/01/2013 - Rev. Stu Smith - "Holiness Unto the Lord"
03/25/2013 - Dr. Kevin Anderson - "The Mission of the Messiah"
03/18/2013 - Dr. Lynn Shmidt - "From Weeping to Joy"
03/11/2013 - Rev. Greg Haseloff - "You Are Sent"
03/04/2013 - Dr. Sandra Gray - "Spent for Fruit"
02/25/2013 - Rev. Joy Ireland - "The Results of Holy Day Observance for a Holy People"
02/18/2013 - Rev. Esther Jadhav - "You Are of Great Value!"
02/11/2013 - Dr. Ken Pickerill - "Service As Our Mission"
02/04/2013 - Dr. Jon Kulaga - "God's Call to Creation"
01/28/2013 - Mrs. Karen Koehn - "Fight the Good Fight"
01/21/2013 - Dr. Gerald Miller - "A Psalm of Creation"
01/14/2013 - Rev. Joy Ireland – "God’s Ultimate Mission Honors Sabbath"
01/07/2013 - Dr. Claire Brown - "Even the Land"
12/31/2012 - Dr. Sandra Gray - "Without Turning Back"
12/17/2012 - Dr. Lynn Shmidt - "From Passion to Action"
12/10/2012 - Dr. Jon Kulaga - "Who Is My Neighbor?"
12/03/2012 - Rev. Joy Ireland - "Holy Observance of a Holy Day by the Holy One"
11/26/2012 - Dr. Clair Budd – “Scripture’s Purpose”
11/19/2012 - Rev. Greg Haseloff - "More or Less"
11/12/2012 - Rev. Esther Jadhav – “Response to God’s Provisions!”
11/05/2012 - Dr. Ken Pickerill – “Our Daily Calling”
10/29/2012 - Mrs. Karen Koehn – “Formed by the Word”
10/22/2012 - Dr. Sandra Gray – “As I Onward Go”
10/15/2012 - Dr. Gerald Miller – “A Moral Basis for Covenant with God”
10/08/2012 - Dr. Kevin Anderson – “The Foundation of Good Stewardship: Contentment”
10/01/2012 - Dr. Claire Brown – “How to Eat Bread”
09/24/2012 - Rev. Stu Smith – “Advancing the Great Commission”
09/17/2012 - Dr. Lynn Shmidt - "Consecration: A Step Toward Holiness"
09/10/2012 - Rev. Greg Haseloff - "Obedience, Love, and the Trinity"
09/03/2012 - Dr. Clair Budd - "Honoring God in Ordinary Life"
08/27/2012 - Dr. Jon Kulaga - "Called to Think"
08/20/2012 - Dr. Sandra Gray - "Ever Present Wind"