Podcast Summary: "The Covenant Made at Sinai"

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Date: October 22, 2025
Episode Theme: Exploring the significance and true meaning of the covenant God made with Moses at Sinai, particularly in regard to law, grace, and salvation.

Overview

In this episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson addresses a common misunderstanding among Christians regarding the Mosaic covenant (the covenant God made at Sinai with Moses and Israel). He challenges the notion that the Old Testament teaches salvation by law-keeping, whereas the New Testament teaches salvation by grace. Drawing from the biblical narrative, Ferguson argues that the giving of the law at Sinai is deeply rooted in God’s ongoing covenant of grace, not a shift to salvation by works. The episode encourages listeners to understand God’s law as gracious guidance given within the context of His saving acts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Bible as a “Covenant Book”

• Ferguson starts with the foundational idea that the Bible’s central theme is covenant—God as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God.
• Quote (00:18): "The idea that the Bible is a covenant book about a covenant God who makes and keeps his covenant of grace is often a new idea to many Christians." — Sinclair B. Ferguson

2. The Continuity of the Covenant of Grace

• The episode traces the unfolding of God’s covenant of grace:
  • Initiated in Genesis 3:15
  • Developed with Noah
  • Expanded with Abraham
  • Further expressed in the covenant with Moses at Sinai

3. Misunderstanding the Mosaic Covenant

• Ferguson identifies a widespread misunderstanding: the belief that the Mosaic covenant teaches salvation by law-keeping versus the New Testament's emphasis on grace.
• Quote (01:17): "That’s a disastrous misunderstanding. It turns the teaching of the Bible upside down and it couldn’t really be further from the truth." — Sinclair B. Ferguson

4. The Context of the Giving of the Law

• Ferguson explains that in Exodus, the law is given after God’s act of deliverance—highlighting grace before commandment.
• Quote (02:41): "It is the covenant making and covenant keeping God of grace that inaugurates the Exodus. It is a work entirely of God’s sovereign grace, and it’s in that context that he gives the law." — Sinclair B. Ferguson
• The law comes after God’s declaration: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2).

5. The Order of Grace and Obedience

• Ferguson stresses the unvarying biblical pattern: God saves and then calls His people to obedience, never the reverse.
• Quote (04:11): "God saves his people and then calls his people to live in a way that pleases Him. He makes his covenant with us and binds Himself to us, and then he summons us to live in a way that conforms to his wonderful grace." — Sinclair B. Ferguson

6. Unity of the Covenants

• Despite their distinctives, the covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses are all unfolding elements of the same covenant of grace, rooted in Genesis 3:15.

7. The Law as Grace

• Ferguson reframes the function of the law: it is a gracious “map” that leads to blessing and life, not a means to earn salvation.
• Quote (05:10): "The law of God is set within the context of the saving grace of God, and it therefore provides us with the map that leads to blessing and to life." — Sinclair B. Ferguson

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Clarity on the Old and New Covenants (01:17):
  "That’s a disastrous misunderstanding. It turns the teaching of the Bible upside down and it couldn’t really be further from the truth."

• Exodus and Covenant Context (02:41):
  "It is the covenant making and covenant keeping God of grace that inaugurates the Exodus. It is a work entirely of God’s sovereign grace, and it’s in that context that he gives the law."

• Pattern of Redemption and Obedience (04:11):
  "God saves his people and then calls his people to live in a way that pleases Him. He makes his covenant with us and binds Himself to us, and then he summons us to live in a way that conforms to his wonderful grace."

• Grace-Filled Law (05:10):
  "The law of God is set within the context of the saving grace of God, and it therefore provides us with the map that leads to blessing and to life."

Key Timestamps

• 00:08 – 01:15: Introduction; overview of biblical covenants and common misunderstandings.
• 01:16 – 02:40: Explanation of why the Mosaic covenant is often misread as promoting salvation by works.
• 02:41 – 04:10: The context of the giving of the law at Sinai; the priority of grace in Exodus.
• 04:11 – 05:10: The biblical pattern of salvation followed by obedience; unity of the covenants.
• 05:11 – end: Application—understanding the law as guidance rooted in grace; teaser for the next episode.

Concluding Reflection

Ferguson urges listeners to “taste more of the grace of God’s law”—inviting Christians to appreciate the law not as a means to earn salvation, but as a gracious guide to living in response to God’s saving acts. The episode promises further exploration of this theme in the following installment.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking clear, gospel-centered insight into the biblical covenants and their relevance for Christians today.