Avouching extraordinary.
A wonderful sight! Israel and God exchanging pledges, plighting troth, "avouching" fidelity each to the other. The people, by the heed they had given to Moses' exposition of the Law, perhaps by signs made as he proceeded, had avouched their willingness to abide in the covenant. God, in turn, had renewed his promises and pledges towards them. The covenant thus renewed was the same in essentials as that made with believers.
I. COVENANT WITH GOD INVOLVES ENGAGEMENT TO OBEDIENCE. (Deuteronomy 26:17.) It did so under the Law. It does so under the gospel. The gospel exhibits grace, and involves at the outset the reception of that grace. Nevertheless, obedience is required of us. It is the end of our redemption. We die with Christ that we may rise with him to newness of life (Romans 6:4). "New obedience" is the proof of true discipleship. Every real believer will seek to render it. It is a condition of ultimate salvation (Romans 2:6-12).
II. COVENANT WITH GOD INVOLVES A RELATION OF PECULIAR NEARNESS. (Deuteronomy 26:18,) This is borne out by all Scripture. God chooses us, in Christ, to a relation of nearness so remarkable that it has no counterpart, save in the Son's relation to the Father (John 17:21). The saints are his peculiar treasure (1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:10). He is their "Shield," and their "exceeding Great Reward" (Genesis 15:1). They are nearer to him than the angels—
"Near, near, so near,
I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of his Son
I am as near as he."
III. COVENANT WITH GOD SECURES HIGH HONOR AND BLESSEDNESS. (Deuteronomy 26:19.) Great distinction was in store for Israel, should it prove obedient. God says he will make it high above all nations, "in praise, and in name, and in honor."
Its honor would consist:
1. In the proud distinction of being God's people (Deuteronomy 4:7).
2. In its high moral repute (Deuteronomy 4:6).
3. In the material pre-eminence to which obedience would be certain to raise it (Deuteronomy 7:12-16). Obedience, honor, blessedness, are three ideas ultimately inseparable. The "glory, honor, immortality" of heaven are for those who persevere in well-doing (Romans 2:7), for "an holy people." The honors in store for obedient Israel, great as they were, are not to be compared with the "exceeding and eternal weight of glory" now revealed as the inheritance of believers (2 Corinthians 4:17).—J.O.