Not oversimplify things, but this is just another reminder that our covenant with God is not a generic deal, but very personal … unique to each of us. By using the word “covenant” it is a reaffirmation that our relationship with God is a two-way “partnership,” if you will, and it is a reminder — or at least I perceive it to be — that just as God promises to be there for me, I have a responsibility to be there for him and to use whatever “gifts” I have as he would have me. It’s kind of intimidating, when you think about it.

I suppose in this 21st century we could insert the word “just” so that it might read, “Not ‘just’ with our ancestors …” because we know God did indeed make the covenant with our own immediate ancestors. But considering the time and circumstances of this pronouncement it must have been remarkable, and even astounding, to hear Moses’s proclamation. Bet some of those folks would have fired off some Tweets.