The Scriptures describe several covenants between God and his people: with Adam and Eve (Genesis 2 and 3), with Abram (Genesis 12:1-3), with Noah (Genesis 8), with David (2 Samuel 7), at Pentecost (Acts 2), and through Moses. Here, at the end of his life of some 120 years, the great liberator, lawgiver, and covenant-maker Moses is reminding God’s people of the covenant they have made with the Almighty. He rehearses with them their deliverance from Egypt, their wandering in the desert, what God expects, the blessings they can expect if they keep covenant, and, should they break covenant, the curses they will face. Finally, Moses points to how they can be restored to covenant blessing.

Restoration to covenant is Moses’ theme in Deuteronomy 30:1-10. Even as he takes the people through their covenant with God, Moses warns and prophesies that Israel would break covenant. This is not the end, however. Restoration and redemption are not just possible, but to be sought. Covenants made can be broken. Covenants broken can be restored. Covenant blessing can be lost. Covenant curse can be remedied. Covenant blessing can be recovered.

For Discussion: What are the requirements of other covenants between God and his people? What are the covenant blessings? Curses? How could covenant be restored?

“Choose Life”
The late Pope John Paul II frequently alluded to this passage of Scripture and Moses’ admonition to “choose life!” Moses was not specifically pointing to the issues that John Paul II did—although infanticide was practiced among the nations of “the promised land” before Joshua led Israel to take it. But to keep covenant with God is to choose to live (v. 6). It is to choose to live a life characterized by blessings (vv. 3, 5, and 9): the multiplication of descendants, prosperity, to dwell in his presence, and to love and be loved by him.

Covenant Condition and Correction
To restore covenant and recover covenant blessings is not automatic or easy. Restoration requires obedience (v. 2) and correction (v. 6). As Moses prophesied, God’s people did fall out of favor with the Almighty. They were dispersed and exiled in the eighth century b.c. (the northern kingdom) and in the sixth century b.c. (the southern kingdom).

The recovery of the promised land, including Jerusalem, required effort under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah.

For Discussion: How do Christians make and keep covenant with God through Jesus? What are a Christian’s covenant blessings? How can covenant be broken? How does God correct? How can covenant be restored, and covenant blessings recovered?

Covenant Promise
God’s covenants with his people include conditions—requirements for keeping covenant. God’s covenants with his people promised curses as well as blessings. This is no less true for Christians—the people of God through Christ. Among the blessings, we can claim forgiveness of sins, God’s presence by his Spirit, and life with him, forever. Death, forever, is the curse.

As Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden, so can Christians walk with God by the presence of his Spirit. As Noah was promised deliverance from God’s punishment of sin, so Christians can claim the salvation in Christ. As David was promised that his throne would be established forever, so Christians can claim the promise of life forever before the throne of Christ. As Abram was called to be a vehicle for bringing God’s blessing to the world, so are Christians called to make disciples in all the world. As God promised through Moses that the people of God could be restored to covenant, so can the church recover God’s covenant in Christ.

Consider: How is Christ’s church (the people of God today) doing as contemporary covenant-keepers? Whom does your congregation follow? Does your congregation choose life? Does God delight in your congregation? Does your congregation keep Christ’s “love commands”—to love God, your neighbor, and one another? Does your congregation obey God, heart and soul? Is your congregation in need of restoration to God’s covenant in Christ?

God’s covenants are full of promise and point to the promise in Christ. Yet only the people of God through Christ can claim the promise of all God’s covenants with his people—the promise that is Jesus Christ!

If we would claim God’s great promise in Christ, if we would make or restore covenant with God, we must obey, love God over what breaks covenant, and welcome correction over hollow affirmation. We must cease as covenant-breakers, and instead be covenant-keepers. And honor God, Covenant-Keeper, Restorer, and Promise-Giver.

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*All Scriptures are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.