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friendly relations with the kings of the surrounding nations； by some of
whom he was treated with great respect； and his integrity and unselfishness；
his valor and benevolence； were representing the character of God。 In
Mesopotamia； in Canaan； in Egypt； and even to the inhabitants of Sodom； the
God of heaven was revealed through His representative。
So to the people of Egypt and of all the nations connected with that
powerful kingdom； God manifested Himself through Joseph。 Why did the Lord
choose to exalt Joseph so highly among the Egyptians？ He might have provided
some other way for the accomplishment of His purposes toward the children of
Jacob； but He desired to make Joseph a light； and He placed him in the
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palace of the king； that the heavenly illumination might extend far and
near。 By his wisdom and justice； by the purity and benevolence of his daily
life； by his devotion to the interests of the peopleand that people a
nation of idolatersJoseph was a representative of Christ。 In their
benefactor； to whom all Egypt turned with gratitude and praise； that heathen
people were to behold the love of their Creator and Redeemer。 So in Moses
also God placed a light beside the throne of the earth's greatest kingdom；
that all who would； might learn of the true and living God。 And all this
light was given to the Egyptians before the hand of God was stretched out
over them in judgments。
In the deliverance of Israel from Egypt a knowledge of the power of God
spread far and wide。 The warlike people of the stronghold of Jericho
trembled。 〃As soon as we had heard these things；〃 said Rahab； 〃our hearts
did melt； neither did there remain any more courage in any man； because of
you： for Jehovah your God； He is God in heaven above； and in earth beneath。〃
Joshua 2：11。 Centuries after the exodus the priests of the Philistines
reminded their people of the plagues of Egypt； and warned them against
resisting the God of Israel。
God called Israel； and blessed and exalted them； not that by obedience to
His law they alone might receive His favor and become the exclusive
recipients of His blessings； but in order to reveal Himself through them to
all the inhabitants of the earth。 It was for the accomplishment of this very
purpose that He commanded them to keep themselves distinct from the
idolatrous nations around them。
Idolatry and all the sins that followed in its train were abhorrent to God；
and He commanded His people not to mingle with other nations； to 〃do after
their works；〃 and forget God。 He forbade their marriage with idolaters； lest
their hearts should be led away from Him。 It was just as necessary then as
it is now that God's people should be pure； 〃unspotted from the world。〃 They
must keep themselves free from its spirit； because it is opposed to truth
and righteousness。 But God did not intend that His people； in self…righteous
exclusiveness； should shut themselves away from the world； so that they
could have no influence upon it。
Like their Master； the followers of Christ in every age were to be the light
of the world。 The Saviour said； 〃A city that is set on
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an hill cannot be hid。 Neither do men light a candle； and put it under a
bushel； but on a candlestick； and it giveth light unto all that are in the
house〃that is； in the world。 And He adds； 〃Let your light so shine before
men； that they may see your good works； and glorify your Father which is in
heaven。〃 Matthew 5：14…16。 This is just what Enoch； and Noah； Abraham；
Joseph； and Moses did。 It is just what God designed that His people Israel
should do。
It was their own evil heart of unbelief； controlled by Satan； that led them
to hide their light； instead of shedding it upon surrounding peoples； it was
that same bigoted spirit that caused them either to follow the iniquitous
practices of the heathen or to shut themselves away in proud exclusiveness；
as if God's love and care were over them alone。
As the Bible presents two laws； one changeless and eternal； the other
provisional and temporary； so there are two covenants。 The covenant of grace
was first made with man in Eden； when after the Fall there was given a
divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head。
To all men this covenant offered pardon and the assisting grace of God for
future obedience through faith in Christ。 It also promised them eternal life
on condition of fidelity to God's law。 Thus the patriarchs received the hope
of salvation。
This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise； 〃In thy seed shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed。〃 Genesis 22：18。 This promise
pointed to Christ。 So Abraham understood it （see Galatians 3：8； 16）； and he
trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins。 It was this faith that was
accounted unto him for righteousness。 The covenant with Abraham also
maintained the authority of God's law。 The Lord appeared unto Abraham； and
said； 〃I am the Almighty God； walk before Me； and be thou perfect。〃 Genesis
17：1。 The testimony of God concerning His faithful servant was； 〃Abraham
obeyed My voice； and kept My charge； My commandments； My statutes； and My
laws。〃 Genesis 26：5。 And the Lord declared to him； 〃I will establish My
covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations；
for an everlasting covenant； to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after
thee。〃 Genesis 17：7。
Though this covenant was made with Adam and renewed to Abraham； it could not
be ratified until the death of Christ。 It
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had existed by the promise of God since the first intimation of redemption
had been given； it had been accepted by faith； yet when ratified by Christ；
it is called a new covenant。 The law of God was the basis of this covenant；
which was simply an arrangement for bringing men again into harmony with the
divine will； placing them where they could obey God's law。
Another compactcalled in Scripture the 〃old〃 covenantwas formed between
God and Israel at Sinai； and was then ratified by the blood of a sacrifice。
The Abrahamic covenant was ratified by the blood of Christ； and it is called
the 〃second；〃 or 〃new；〃 covenant； because the blood by which it was sealed
was shed after the blood of the first covenant。 That the new covenant was
valid in the days of Abraham is evident from the fact that it was then
confirmed both by the promise and by the oath of God the 〃two immutable
things； in which it was impossible for God to lie。〃 Hebrews 6：18。
But if the Abrahamic covenant contained the promise of redemption； why was
another covenant formed at Sinai？ In their bondage the people had to a great
extent lost the knowledge of God and of the principles of the Abrahamic
covenant。 In delivering them from Egypt； God sought to reveal to them His
power and His mercy； that they might be led to love and trust Him。 He
brought them down to the Red Seawhere； pursued by the Egyptians； escape
seemed impossiblethat they might realize their utter helplessness； their
need of divine aid； and then He wrought deliverance