Most Bible verses that use the word “covenant” refer to the covenant which God made through Moses with the nation of Israel. Exodus 34 gives us a basic understanding of what was involved in this covenant. As the name “Exodus” implies, the setting was in that period when Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt. They had arrived at Mount Sinai. Moses had received directly from God the two tablets of stone, but Moses had broken the tablets (Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 32:15-19). Then Exodus 34 tells how Moses had to prepare two other tablets and climb Mount Sinai a second time.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:27-28)
Notice with whom that covenant was made. God told Moses, “I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” Some people treat that covenant as if God made it with all people everywhere. Yet the Bible itself describes that covenant as belonging to a particular nation, Israel (Leviticus 26:46; 27:34). In fact, during the giving of the law, God frequently reminded Israel of her unique covenant relationship with God. That truth was repeated often thereafter.
[God said,] “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples.” (Exodus 19:4-5)
He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know His rules. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 147:19-20)
Some treat Moses’ covenant as if it was made with_ them.
As God gave details of the covenant, He often pointed out their special significance just for the nation of Israel. (For examples of specifics, please see Endnote One https://wbslibrary.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=5653&action=edit.) Despite the fact that God has spoken so emphatically on this matter, some people pay no attention. They treat the covenant given through Moses as if it was made with them personally, and with their own nations. In so doing, they miss or reject what God Himself has made plain. Many misunderstandings can be avoided by respecting God’s insistence that this covenant was specifically for the Israelite nation.