A Tail of Two Covenants
A Tail of Two Covenants
Genesis 15:1-6 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lordcame to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir. 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:5-6)
This scene marks the birthplace of a Covenant of pure Grace - which all believers understand, will be fulfilled through the death and resurrection of The Seed of Abraham: Jesus Christ of Nazareth. If we trust in this finished work of the Cross by faith, as Abraham did, although he did not see it (Gal 3:8), we are also, in Messiah, Abraham’s Seed.
However, we cannot receive The Abrahamic Covenant…until the Mosaic Covenant (The Law that we cannot keep) is kept and fulfilled perfectly, and the record of our sin is canceled. Jesus will do this - to the letter!
When we look at Deuteronomy ch. 28, we see two listings: Curses (for breaking God’s Law) and Blessings (for keeping it)
This gives us a picture of what Yeshua Hamashiach will accomplish - not only for the Children of Israel, but all of us - from the Cross. (for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory) These curses are a picture of the seriousness of transgression - not only for Israel but all of humanity…but Yeshua will take this transgression - and all of its consequences- on the Cross on our behalf…
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Which leaves us with the blessings: a symbolic picture of the spiritual inheritance which we can receive - ONLY through trusting and believing on what Jesus has done for us on the Cross: These are blessings of righteousness -
not ours (we could not keep the Law) -
but Christ’s (who kept the whole Law perfectly).
When we believe that what he did on the Cross was for us (when we confess our sin - our nakedness - to God; Genesis 3:6-10) we are then able to receive His forgiveness, and allow ourselves to be clothed with His righteousness - a gift: Just as Abraham Believed God’s Promise - and it was credited to him (given to him ahead of time) as righteousness.
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So by His vicarious death on the Cross, Yeshua not only fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant, but He unsealed and put into effect something else…something that had been instigated long before it:
The Abrahamic Covenant: GRACE
Romans 4:1-7 Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. ”When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.
But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight (Ps 32:1).
Pride is a snare: an unbearable burden on our backs, that never eases (Psalm 32:3-4)…But true repentance takes humility (Psalm 32:5)…which brings joy unspeakable and peace beyond understanding. How do we come to this place of repentance? Through the everlasting kindness and mercy of God, bestowed to us through the Abrahamic Covenant...which we will more likely recognize as “The New Covenant in My Blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)
Romans ch. 3 & 4
Galatians ch.3
1John 1:8-9
Romans 8:1-4
Col 2:13-15
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