Imagine yourself as a loving step-parent, embarking on a beautiful journey with the person of your dreams who happens to have a 16-year-old child named Taylor, who happens to break the laws and has been in Juvenile jail a lot. You pour out your affection on Taylor, showering them with love and ensuring they feel cherished. However, every time you reach out for a hug, Taylor pushes you away.
They even ask you not to do nice things for them and prefer you give your belongings to someone else. Taylor insists they can buy their own things and don’t need your money or gifts (Let’s assume your love language is gifts.) While you are hurt by this, you accept their terms because you genuinely care.
This story serves as the perfect metaphor for understanding the nature of God. God finds Himself in a similar position. In this analogy, Taylor represents Ancient Israel. When God encountered Moses and the Israelites, He showered them with unconditional love. He liberated them from captivity, provided them with food and shelter upon their request, and asked for nothing in return. To solidify their relationship, God offered Israel a covenant—a set of relationship guidelines—without any obligations on Israel’s part (Think of this as the way someone would show you they love you. They would give you a covenant. Exactly how marriage is.). God was showing Israel he was really in love with them. Astonishingly, Israel rejected this covenant of love, as depicted in
Exodus 19:5-6 (Israel's account) and Deuteronomy 5:22-30 (God's Account),
arrogantly choosing a covenant based on rules they promised to obey(not a covenant of Love). This distinction lies in the difference between a Royal covenant(Covenant of Love[Agape]) and a Kinship/Suzerain-Vassal covenant .
Now, fast forward to the story. Let’s imagine that you and your spouse have a child together—a baby. This is analogous to the New Covenant. It signifies Christianity—a radical departure from the old ways. It is something entirely new and unlike anything before. The author of Hebrews describes this transformation by referring to the New Covenant as “new,” rendering the previous covenant obsolete. As Hebrews 8:13 highlights, what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
In reaching a final assessment, it is essential to emphasize that God’s disposition towards you is devoid of any lingering anger or resentment. Your connection with the divine surpasses the constraints imposed by the religious practices and customs of the ancient Israelites. The nature of your relationship with God is marked by an unparalleled depth and exceptional qualities. It finds its foundation in love, a boundless and unconditional affection that surpasses human understanding. God’s love encompasses every aspect of your being, embracing both your strengths and weaknesses, and remains steadfast even in times of doubt or struggle.
Moreover, your relationship with God is graced with God extending it abundantly. This grace is not limited by human standards of justice or punishment; it is a divine gift freely given, not earned. It is a reminder that God’s ultimate desire is to see you flourish and experience the fullness of life.
Within this remarkable bond, you are also promised a fresh start—a chance to embark on a new journey and leave behind the weight of past regrets. God’s promise of a new beginning is not a mere illusion but a genuine assurance that extends beyond mere words. It is an invitation to embrace transformation, growth, and the realization of your true potential.
Therefore, it can be confidently stated that your relationship with God transcends the boundaries of conventional human interactions. It is a relationship defined by love that knows no bounds, grace that surpasses understanding, and the promise of inspired hope and invites you to embark on a life filled with purpose and meaning.
