It is easy, and perhaps tempting, for Christians to try to differentiate between rule-following and relationship in our Christian walk.

We would do well to remember that relationship is at the very heart of God’s gifts of covenant and commandments.

God brought Moses and the beloved community to Sinai to propose a dramatic intensification in their relationship.  God used classic, covenantal language to solemnize their bond:

• Witness: “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4).
• Obligation: “If you obey my voice and keep my covenant…” (Exodus 19:5)
• Promise: “you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples … you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6).

Moses brought God’s words to the people, and they exclaimed, “Everything that the LORD has spoken, we will do!” (Exodus 19:7-8). Prior to the giving of any commandments, God sought to establish an informed, consensual relationship with the Israelite community. The people ...