Covenant Benefits us, Not God - Saturday of the First Week of Lent

February 28, 2026: Covenant Benefits us, Not God

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Deuteronomy 26: 16-19, Matthew 5: 43-48

God Yahweh and the people of Israel entered a covenant. The covenant was a mutual agreement between God Yahweh and the Israelites. The people agreed with the covenant proposal and committed to follow God’s commands and keep their part of the covenant requirement. This pinned a special relationship between Yahweh and the people, a mutual bond and responsibility.

Special traits/features of this covenant:

First, God’s choice of Israel to be His people was not based on their merit. He chose them because He preferred them over others. God’s preference is irrevocable.

Second, Moses was only a mediator, God did not make the covenant with Moses. God’s agreement was with the entire nation collectively and with each person individually.

Third, God did not make this covenant to expand His territory, rather God’s intent was the wellbeing of people. God desired goodness for people and so, magnanimously and voluntarily established the covenant. God wanted to give the best to the people and so, enveloped them with His covenant.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks of God’s impartial graces and people’s choosy attitude. Our choices are triggered with self interest and vested motivations. God chose us because He wants to give us the best. The Gospel invites us to choose to love and forgive because we want to give and share the best we have. If our enemies because preferred ones of this choice, the Lenten journey becomes meaningful.

Our Takeaway

1. God’s choice is not based on merit. He chooses because He prefers. It’s not a promise but a commitment.

2. God has established the covenant with us in and through Jesus, not to expand his territory but to give us the best of every blessing. Covenant benefits people, not God.

3. If our enemies become the preferred members of our love and forgiveness, because we want to give them the best, the Lenten journey becomes meaningful.