Ntonhle Dlamini

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A Covenant, A Prostitute, and Sheep Without a GPS

1. The Invitation at Sinai
   Exodus 19:2-8

God invites us into a covenant relationship. Not a contract. A marriage.

But before He asks for “yes,” He reminds them who He is. Based on His CV from the last 3 months:

Timeline of Providence:

1. Exodus 14:22-26 – The Red Sea. They walked on dry ground where Egyptian chariots drowned.
2. Exodus 15 – Marah. 3 days no water. Then bitter water made sweet.
3. Exodus 15:27 – Elim. 12 springs + 70 palm trees. Rest.
4. Exodus 16 – Desert of Sin. No food. God sends manna + quail. Provision.
5. Exodus 17 – Rephidim. No water. Moses strikes the rock at Horeb.

Then at Mount Sinai, God asks:
“Based on My track record, will you be My own special people? Will you listen to Me alone and obey My commands?”

Their answer: “Everything the Lord says, we will do.”
They were lying.

Forty days later they tell Aaron, “Make us a god, because Moses is taking too long.”

2. Hesed: Love That Makes a Fool of You
   Moses gets angry. God responds with love.

“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Exodus 34:6

“Mercy” + “grace” in Hebrew = one word: Hesed.

Hebrew is deep. Hesed means love based on promise. Unconditional love. Someone called it “humiliating love.”

Because you can love someone who makes a fool of you. And keep loving them. Why? Because one day you made a covenant.

God already knew this would happen. That’s why He told Hosea: “Marry Gomer, the prostitute. Have kids with her.”

Then God said to Hosea: “Go get your wife again. Love her.” And he did. He bought her back.

3. Sheep Without a Shepherd
   Matthew 9:36 – Jesus looks at the crowds and says they’re “like sheep without a shepherd.”

To understand that, go back to Psalm 100: “We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

Shepherd/Sheep Dynamics:

• GPS is with the Shepherd. Sheep don’t negotiate routes. He leaves the 99 for 1. You don’t need to debate. You’ll walk into unnecessary traumatic situations because of God’s permissive will.
• The Shepherd doesn’t need your advice. He knows when you’re hungry/thirsty.
• The Shepherd owns the pasture. Sheep don’t plant. Sheep don’t make 5-year plans.
• The Shepherd protects. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4

1. God Was Never Distant
   From Sinai to the cross, God’s whole move was accessibility.

He didn’t stay distant behind commandments and clouds. He pitched His tent among us. John 1:14
He didn’t shout instructions from far away. He walked town to town with dirt on His feet.
The Pharisees made God feel unreachable with extra rules. Jesus tore that curtain in half.

Jesus wasn’t at a pulpit. He was moving through towns while crowds followed.
With natural eyes, they looked ordinary. But deep down? No hope. Roman occupation, corrupt tax collectors, legalism.

And when Jesus saw them, He was moved with compassion. Splagchnizomai – His internal organs churned.

5. The Invitation
   Jesus saw the harvest was ready and said “pray to the Lord of the harvest.”
   Then He called disciples and sent them: “Go to the lost sheep. Repent.” Metanoia – complete transformation.

Hell was never meant for you. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.’” Matthew 25:34

If you’ve been seeing God as distant, angry, or impossible to please… look again.
The same Shepherd who wept over crowds is still moved with compassion for you.
The same covenant love called Hesed is still buying you back.

He’s not a monster in the sky.
He’s the God who crosses deserts for sheep without a GPS.

Will you let Him lead you home?

“Now may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.”