Blood Covenant 102: The Mosaic Covenant — Broken by Man, Kept by God

“Then he took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.’” — Exodus 24:8

The blood covenant didn’t end with Abraham—it deepened. After rescuing Israel from slavery in Egypt, God brought His people to Mount Sinai to establish a new covenant through Moses. This covenant, known as the Mosaic Covenant, was not just about law—it was about identity, relationship, and purification. It was not ritual for ritual’s sake, but a shadow of something greater to come.

In Exodus 24, Moses builds an altar, offers sacrifices, and divides the blood: half poured on the altar, half sprinkled on the people. Then he declares:“This is the blood of the covenant…” (Exodus 24:8). This act seals the covenant between God and Israel—and foreshadows the words Jesus would speak at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20). From this moment on, Israel’s relationship with God would be governed by offerings, purification rites, and obedience.

Conditional Yet Gracious

Unlike the unconditional Abrahamic covenant based solely on God’s promise, the Mosaic covenant was conditional—its blessings were tied to obedience:

“If you will obey my voice and keep my covenant…” (Exodus 19:5).

But even in its structure, the emphasis on blood for atonement is unmistakable.

“For the life of a creature is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11).

Every sacrifice reminded Israel of their need to be cleansed, covered, and restored before a holy God.

Yet these sacrifices had to be repeated. The tabernacle, the priesthood, and the laws were temporary shadows of something greater:

“They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven” (Hebrews 8:5).

The sacrifices prepared the way for the only blood that could purify once and for all—the blood of Jesus Christ.

Covenant Broken—But Not by God

“Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels…”— Exodus 34:10

As the covenant was being delivered, Israel shattered it. While Moses was still on the mountain, the people made a golden calf and worshipped it (Exodus 32). They broke the first commandment before the ink was dry.

If this covenant had been based on works alone, they would’ve been finished. But here's the miracle: God did not walk away.  Instead, He called Moses back up the mountain, gave him new tablets, and renewed the covenant—on the basis of His grace.

In Exodus 34:6–7, God declares:

“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”

Yes, there were laws. Yes, obedience mattered. But at the core was a gracious, forgiving God who desired relationship over ritual.

The Mosaic Covenant is the formal agreement God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. It outlined how His people were to live and worship:

• Moral Law – The Ten Commandments

• Civil Law – Governing their society

• Ceremonial Law – Sacrifices, festivals, and purification practices

It was a blood covenant, confirmed with sacrifice (Exodus 24:8), and though conditional, it was never about earning salvation—but about walking in covenantal grace through obedient faith.

Israel’s Failure—God’s Faithfulness

Even in rebellion, God remained faithful. He gave Israel a system of sacrifices not to punish them, but to restore fellowship after sin. The covenant, though broken by man, was kept by God. He never walked away.

Five Divine Promises of the Mosaic Covenant (Echoing God's covenant with Abraham)

1. Israel would be God’s special possession (Exodus 19:5)

2. Israel would be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6)

3. Israel would be a holy nation (Exodus 19:6)

4. God would fight for Israel and defeat her enemies (Exodus 23:22–27)

5. God would treat Israel with mercy and forgive sin (Exodus 34:6–7)

   
   

These promises were real—but conditional on Israel's response: “If you obey…” (Exodus 19:5).

Three Conditions for Covenant Blessing

1. A Heart Postured for Grace, Not Perfection

Israel was not expected to be sinless. God already promised forgiveness (Exodus 34:7). The condition wasn’t moral perfection—it was faithful trust in a forgiving God.

Exodus 34:7 states that God is "maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations". This verse emphasizes God's mercy and justice, highlighting His willingness to forgive while also holding individuals accountable for their actions.

2. Love for God, Not Legalism“

To those who love Me and keep My commandments…” (Exodus 20:6). Loving God was the root; obedience flowed from love, not fear. Obedience wasn’t a wage—it was worship.

3. Trust in God, Not Self

At the heart of Israel’s failure was unbelief (Psalm 78:22, Hebrews 3:19). They didn’t trust God’s saving power. Faith was always the foundation of covenant obedience.

The Mosaic Covenant Leads Us to Jesus

Now here’s the most important question:If God is perfectly holy and just, how could He keep forgiving people so freely under the Mosaic Covenant?

Animal sacrifices happened over and over, but they didn’t actually take away sin. They were a symbol—a reminder. So how did forgiveness really work?

The answer is found in Jesus.

Even in the Old Testament, God was already planning the solution. The prophet Isaiah wrote:

“The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” — Isaiah 53:6

God’s forgiveness in Moses’ time was real, but it was also looking forward—to the day when Jesus would take the punishment for sin once and for all.

The New Testament confirms this:

“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” — Hebrews 10:4

That’s why Jesus came.

All those repeated sacrifices were shadows—God’s way of pointing to the real solution. Jesus is the substance, the full and final sacrifice. He didn’t just cover sin temporarily. He removed it completely.

So even while Israel was still offering animals and following rituals, God was preparing the ultimate act of mercy through His Son.

What the Mosaic Covenant symbolized,

Jesus fulfilled.

What This Means for You

You, believer in Christ, are living under the fulfillment of both the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. Because of the blood of Jesus, you are:

• God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9)

• A royal priesthood

• A holy nation

• Covered by mercy

• Called to trust and obey through faith

Every promise, every law, every drop of sacrificial blood was pointing to Him. And now, through the New Covenant in His blood, you live under a better sacrifice, a better mediator, and an eternal guarantee (Hebrews 8:6). (I'm getting there soon)

🧾 Covenant Comparison: Noahic vs. Abrahamic vs. Mosaic

Aspect	Noahic Covenant	Abrahamic Covenant	Mosaic Covenant
Covenant Name	Noahic	Abrahamic	Mosaic
Scripture Reference	Genesis 8:20–9:17	Genesis 15:1–21; 17:1–14	Exodus 19–24; 34
Covenant Type	Unconditional	Unconditional (God alone walked through the pieces)	Conditional
Initiator	God	God	God
Parties Involved	God and all creation	God and Abraham (and his descendants)	God and Israel
Sign of Covenant	Rainbow	Circumcision	Tablets of Stone / The Law
Basis	God's mercy after judgment	Faith in God’s promise	Obedience to God’s law
Key Themes	Preservation, Mercy, Universal Promise	Promise, Inheritance, Faith, Righteousness	Law, Holiness, Purification, Priesthood
Conditions	None	Faith (Genesis 15:6)	Obedience, Love, Trust
Blood Involved	Yes – burnt offering before covenant (Gen. 8:20)	Yes – animals cut and laid in covenant path (Gen. 15)	Yes – blood sprinkled on altar and people (Ex. 24)

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her work, art, graphics, and videos. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.