A Binding Contract
September 25 — Deuteronomy 26:16–19
You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. (Deuteronomy 26:17–18)
This passage in Deuteronomy has all the markings of a contract. The party of the first part declares and promises to the party of the second part… This is a sacred contract entered into by the children of Israel and Almighty God. It is being brokered by Moses after he had led the Israelites out of Egypt.
This portion of the contract is not too difficult to understand. God expects the Israelites to follow all that He has ordained and in return, He will set them up as a great and famous nation. The Israelites are pledging allegiance to God and promising that they will obey him in every way. The “signing” of this contract was to be in the form of an altar built on Mount Ebal when the Israelites crossed the Jordan. On this altar, all of the laws — the context of the contract — were to be written and offerings were to be made. This was to be a binding contract for both parties and breaking it would have specific consequences, as we know from history.
Now, another contract was brokered in the New Testament. It was broader in its context. It was to be between God Almighty and all of mankind, not just the nation of Israel. It was brokered by Jesus who came and, over the course of three years, laid out the “terms” of the contract. In this contract, God expected mankind to repent of their sinful ways and put their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. He expected them to accept His Son as Lord of their lives and to follow His example. If man accepted these terms, God promised to forgive and cleanse them of sin and give them new life in Christ that included the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.
The signing of this contract was very different. It was not signed by mankind. It was, instead, signed by the One brokering this contract — Jesus Christ. He signed the contract once for all with His own blood. His signature was written upon a cross and imbedded in that signature were the names of all that had ever lived.
What made this contract so unique was that, while it was written for all of mankind, it would be valid only on an individual basis. Each person had to accept the terms of the contract and agree completely to them. When an individual does so, then the contract is enforced and they can immediately enjoy the promises contained within it.
How many people do you know who are not familiar with this contract, but are still trying to live according to the Old Covenant or maybe trying to devise a contract of their own? Wouldn’t today be a perfect day to tell them of the contract that Jesus has brokered on their behalf.