Saturday 11 September 2021

Psalm 67

Background

Today’s passage focuses on the idea of a covenant – an idea that is familiar to Methodists. A covenant is the basis for a relationship that is founded on promises. In a covenant relationship at least one person promises to be faithful to the other, sometimes only one person promises and sometimes the promises are mutual. In today’s passage the focus does seem to be entirely on the people of Israel making the promises. There are statutes and ordinances and Joshua writes in the book of the law – the people have promised to be faithful to God.

So, perhaps we need to remember again that this is taking place at Shechem which is where God first called Abram and Sarai (Genesis 12:6-8) and began the story of the people of God. That story is the story of a people who had nothing to commend them, who ended up being enslaved by those who were stronger than they were, and yet who were led to freedom. We could say that God has already shown faithfulness and has done that in the face of human beings who were regularly unfaithful. God is not shown making promises in this particular story, but the Scriptures are full of God’s promises to us and perhaps that is part of what Joshua is hinting at when he speaks of the stone having heard all the words that God has spoken. In the light of God’s faithfulness to them, the people are asked to promise to be faithful in return.

So, what does it mean for the people to make promises? And why is it important that they do so, when previously, for example with Abram and Sarai, God simply called for people to follow? The idea of being in a covenant with God invites us to think carefully about our ultimate loyalties and to ask ourselves where our allegiance really lies. When I pause, and ask myself if I will serve God then I also have to ask myself what serving God actually looks like. How will it change how I act?

To Ponder:

• Are there any Bible stories that help you to remember God’s faithfulness to us?
• If you were to make a simple covenant with God today – what couple of things would you emphasise?