I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles . . . It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6)
As we have seen, God, the Father, promised to give Jesus, the Messieh, to His people as the new covenant of grace. "I, the LORD . . . will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people." Thus, all of the resources of God's Grace are only available through relationship with Christ. Furthermore, the Father promised that His covenant of grace through his Son would extend to all the Gentile nations: "that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth."
It is clear that the Messieh's mission would initially be to the house of Israel, to the Jewish people. " 'Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness' " Jeremiah 33:14-15. Jesus' initial instructions to His disciples were in line with this truth. "These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: 'Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”' Matthew 10:5-6.
Yet, God's promises were much larger than solely reaching His chosen people, Israel. "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel." God wanted His light to shine out into the nations. "I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles." The Father wanted His saving grace to extend throughout the world: "that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth."
At the appropriate time, Jesus also instructed His followers in the world-wide dimensions of His mission. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature . . . that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem . . . But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; and Acts 1:8
Isaiah 42: 1- 9 (6)
Isaiah 42:1-9 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit
upon him (Jesus of Nazareth the Christ): he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor
lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax
shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has
set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Thus saith God the LORD, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; He that gives breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. (This took place in Acts 1- 11)
Isaiah 49:1-10 (6)
Isaiah 49:1-10 Listen, O isles, to me; and hearken, you people, from far; The LORD has called me (Jesus of
Nazareth the Christ) from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name. He
has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished
shaft; in his quiver has he hid me; and said to me, you are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain: surely my judgment is
with the LORD, and my work with my God.
Now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despise, to him whom the nation abhorrers, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose you. Thus said the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; (this ; is a time period break) That you may say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; (this ; to is a time period break) neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that has mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
In both of our verses (6) of interest we have the word “LIGHT” to which we have the testimony of the following scriptures: Isaiah 51:4-5; (60:1-3 for Israel and 1 Peter 2:9); Luke 2:32; John 1:4-9; 8:12; Acts 13:47; 26: 18, 23 (to the Gentiles); the word “Covenant” Luke 1:69-72; Romans 15: 8-9; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 3:15; Hebrews 8:6, 9: 15, 12:24, 13:20
Word means: in the ancient writings AHLB with Strong’s Light H216 and covenant H1285:
H216 has a group of boxes used to mean storage or to pen in a thing, the symbol for a source of light; the box has an entrance, a small hole, which when viewed from inside, is lighted through the hole, of the entrance; H1285 covenant means: it shows grain, used to feed, with the picture of a tent which represents the family. As the seed clusters at the head of a stalk, the grain is gathered and the stalk is burned to form potash, which is cleaned and used to make soap. This is used to polish, to make a thing bright or pure. It also means to fatten or to fill up; the filling up of man with life and the image of God. It is also used (the grain) to fatten livestock used for sacrifice and to cut into two pieces through which the parties of a covenant pass. If one party fails to meet the agreements of the covenant then the other may do the same to them.
Strong’s Word Dictionary:
H1285
From H1262 (in the sense of cutting (like H1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh): - confederacy, [con-]feder[-ate], covenant, league.
H216
From H215; illumination or (concretely) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.): - bright, clear, + day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
We’ll examine Matthew 28: 19 -20 as spoken by Christ after His resurrection: “Go therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the
world.”
The first word we’ll look at is nations:
G3686
Thayer's Definition:
1) name: univ. of proper names
2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.
3) persons reckoned up by name
4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a presumed derivative of the base of G1097 (compare G3685)
The next word is name:
G3686
Thayer's Definition:
1) name: univ. of proper names
2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.
3) persons reckoned up by name
4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a presumed derivative of the base of G1097 (compare G3685)
G1097
Thayer's Definition:
1) to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel
1a) to become known
2) to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of
2a) to understand
2b) to know
3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman
4) to become acquainted with, to know
Part of Speech: verb
G3685 for comparison
Thayer's Definition:
1) to be useful, to profit, help
2) to receive profit or advantage, be helped [or have joy]
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a prolonged form of an apparently primary verb (onomai, to slur), for which another prolonged form (onao) is used as an alternate in some tenses [unless indeed it be identical with the base of G3686 through the idea of notoriety]
The next word is Father:
G3962
Thayer's Definition:
2) metaphorically
2a) the originator and transmitter of anything
2a1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself
2a2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds
2b) one who stands in a father’s place and looks after another in a paternal way
2c) a title of honour (honor, modern use)
2c1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received
2c2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled, to take charge of the interests of others
3) God is called the Father
3a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their creator, upholder, ruler
3b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and protector
3b1) of spiritual beings and of all men
3c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father
3d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, made acquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also in his own divine nature
3d1) by Jesus Christ himself
3d2) by the apostles
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: apparently a root word
The next word is Son:
G5207
Thayer's Definition:
2) son of man
2a) term describing man, carrying the connotation of weakness and mortality
2b) son of man, symbolically denotes the fifth kingdom in Daniel 7:13 and by this term its humanity is indicated in contrast with the barbarity and ferocity of the four preceding kingdoms (the Babylonian, the Median and the Persian, the Macedonian, and the Roman) typified by the four beasts. In the book of Enoch (2nd Century) it is used of Christ.
2c) used by Christ himself, doubtless in order that he might intimate his Messiahship and also that he might designate himself as the head of the human family, the man, the one who both furnished the pattern of the perfect man and acted on behalf of all mankind. Christ seems to have preferred this to the other Messianic titles, because by its lowliness it was least suited to foster the expectation of an earthly Messiah in royal splendor.
3) son of God
3a) used to describe Adam (Luke 3:38)
3b) used to describe those who are born again (Luke 20:36) and of angels and of Jesus Christ
3c) of those whom God esteems as sons, whom he loves, protects and benefits above others
3c1) in the OT used of the Jews
3c2) in the NT of Christians
3c3) those whose character God, as a loving father, shapes by chastisements (Hebrews 12:5-8)
3d) those who revere God as their father, the pious worshipers of God, those who in character and life resemble God, those who are governed by the Spirit of God, repose the same calm and joyful trust in God which children do in their parents (Romans 8:14, Galatians 3:26), and hereafter in the blessedness and glory of the life eternal will openly wear this dignity of the sons of God. Term used preeminently of Jesus Christ, as enjoying the supreme love of God, united to him in affectionate intimacy, privy to his saving councils, obedient to the Father’s will in all his acts
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: apparently a primary word
The next word is Holy:
G40
Thayer's Definition:
1) most holy thing, a saint
Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from hagos (an awful thing) [compare G53, G2282]
G53 clean:
Thayer's Definition:
1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred
2) pure
2a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest
2b) pure from every fault, immaculate
2c) clean
Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from the same as G40
G2282 warm:
Thayer's Definition:
1) to warm, keep warm
2) to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: probably akin to thallo (to warm)
The next word is Ghost:
G4151
Thayer's Definition: pneuma
1) the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son
1a) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his personality and character (the \\Holy\\ Spirit)
1b) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his work and power (the Spirit of \\Truth\\)
1c) never referred to as a depersonalized force
2) the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated
2a) the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
2b) the soul
3) a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting
3a) a life giving spirit
3b) a human soul that has left the body
3c) a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e. an angel
3c1) used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men
3c2) the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ
4) the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one
4a) the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.
5) a movement of air (a gentle blast)
5a) of the wind, hence the wind itself
5b) breath of nostrils or mouth
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G4154
G4154
Thayer's Definition: pneō
1) to breathe, to blow
1a) of the wind
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a root word
Now we come to John’s gospel record of Jesus found in the sixth chapter, He had just feed a great multitude with five barley loaves and two fish, which starts His (Jesus’) teaching on the Covenant and the hidden meaning of it for those who have eyes and ears to both see and hear what the Spirit of Holiness is saying to the spiritual Body of Christ. What we need to understand is found in the word meanings given above. Remember that Jesus (as the federal head of the church of God, in the flesh of natural man) is the testator of this covenant and humanity is the beneficiary of the covenant or will. Remember that we’ve found out that if one party violates the covenant the other party is bond to exact the penalty revealed in the terms of the covenant on the other party.
John 6:26-66 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, You seek me, not because you saw
the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.
Then they said to him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, this is the work of God that you believe on him whom he has sent.
They said therefore to him, what sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? What do you work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said to them, verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gave it to you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which came down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
Then said they to him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. But I said to you, that you also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. This is the Father's will which has sent me, that of all which He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. This is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. They said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he said, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to me. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes me has everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eats of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say to you, except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoso eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (Exodus 16:8; Luke 10:16; Romans 13:1-5)
For my flesh is true meat indeed, and my blood is true drink indeed, he that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever. (Study 1 Corinthians 10:16-23 and is else where referenced)
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard said, this is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
He said, therefore said I to you that no man can come to me, except it was given to him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Now lets look what John’s testimony of Jesus is:
John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. The light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe. He was not that light, but to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as receive him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on his name: which are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:16-18 Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which
is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared Him.
How does this all tie together the New Covenant based on better promises with the Old Covenant between Abram and God as found in Genesis 15: 8-21; 12:1-7; 15:1-6? This Grace and Truth which has come through Jesus Christ? To find out we’ll need to look at Acts 13:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 10:4 and Hebrews 9:7-14; 10:8-12, and 14.
Gen 15:8-21 He said (Abram), Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? He said
to him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old,
and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. He (Abram) took to him all these, and divided them in the midst, and
laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. When the fowls came down upon the
carcasses, Abram drove them away. When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
God said to Abram, Know of a surety that your seed shall be a stranger in a land not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
You shalt go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
It came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates: the Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
What was the foundation for this covenant action? We’ll find it in Genesis 12.
Genesis 12:1-7 Now the LORD had said to Abram, Get out of this country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show to you: and I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing: I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curse you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.
So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite were then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram, and said, to your seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared to him.
How does this compare with what the Lord told Abram in the first part of Genesis 15?
Genesis 15:1-6 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: “I am” your shield, your exceeding great reward. Abram said, Lord GOD, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house this Eliezer of Damascus? Abram said, behold, to me you have given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. The word of the LORD came to him, saying, this shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir.
He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and tell (count) the stars, if you be able to number them”: and He said to him, So shall your seed be. He believed the LORD; and He (the LORD) counted it to him for righteousness.
Now we can see that there is a difference between these two promises in chapter 12 Abram is promised the land for his natural seed (blood line) and in the second he is promised a spiritual line of heirs. These are not both of the same line of heirship but rather two separate seed lines, one carnal or natural, the other is spiritual, those of the same faith or trust in Jesus Christ, though they can be a mixing as Paul tells us Romans 4:18; Hebrews 11:12.
Now we’ll look at Romans 4.
Rom 4:1-18 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found? For if
Abraham were justified by works, he has whereof to glory, but not before God. For what say the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works, saying, blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Comes this blessedness then upon the circumcision or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: because the law works wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Therefore it is of faith and that by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, as it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, God, who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall your seed be.
Rom 4:19-25 Being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an
hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through
unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he
was able also to perform.
Therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.
Hebrews 11:8-16 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive
for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land
of promise, as a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
promise: for he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He has prepared for them a city.
We could like so many get off on the promise of the land but that is not our focus of this study. We’re
about the promise of the Grace of God, which is the foundation of our Gospel for this economy of God. But
before we get into that we need I think establish that God is a just God, a righteous God, a Holy and jealous
God and a consuming Fire. Because man does not walk in the fear of God set before his eyes. For this we
should look at Israel’s first acts of disobedience and the results of that disobedience turn to Numbers 16:16-38 and for emphasis the Lord repeats this again in chapter 26. Now these men brought unholy fire, did Israel remember this and learn from it? No, but what about our guilt of not having reverence for the word of God in this day? Are we guilty of the blood and cross of Christ by our actions and words of our mouths? Just
something for us to consider and think about, now on with our study.
Romans 1:1-10 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God,
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our
Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; declared the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received
grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: among whom are ye also
the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
So far we’ve found that it is of the same faith that Abram had, that the seed of promise are made of. Jesus
and Paul are examples of this seed of faith to which, that the Grace of God is given. We’ve also learned that
Paul’s Gospel is different from that preached to Israel by Jesus, though the risen Jesus Christ is the author and Publisher of God’s secret Gospel of Grace. I say this because Paul said: “that it pleased God to reveal Christ in me.” How can this be? Look at Galatians 2:20 and Philippians 4:13.
Galatians 3:1-7, 8-18 O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth,
before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of
you, Received the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain.
He therefore that ministers to you by the Spirit and works miracles among you by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed. So then they which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. The law is not of faith: but, the man that does the works of the law shall live in them.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
I speak after the manner of men; though it is but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannuls, or adds thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.
This I say, the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:22-23, 26-29 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus
Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto
the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
For we are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. If you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Again let’s look at what the word of Jesus reveals about covenant or testament in this old verses new.
Matthew 9:16-17 Jesus said unto them: No man puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up takes from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runs out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. Also in Marks gospel:
Mark 2: 21-22 Jesus said unto them: No man also sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse. No man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Now despite what you may have been told these two verses are saying the same thing. The old cloth and the old wine skin are metaphors for the old testament or covenant which is about to be done away with by Jesus as He fulfills the requirements of it. He is about to establish a new and better testament or covenant of Grace of which He is the testator, the new cloth and the new wine. Now Paul in his letter to the Hebrews puts this new or better covenant into perspective for both the Jews that are on the fence, undecided about a total
commitment of release of their Jewishness and for the learning by Gentiles. Let me also point out that this
Gospel was a mystery to Peter and the others, listen to what Peter said as found in his letter to the “Christian
Jews” of his day in 2 Peter 3:14-18. One other point to consider is that Paul does not use the term “Christian” in any of his letters, but rather saints Let us examine just a few verses:
Hebrews 7:14-25 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing
concerning priesthood. It is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises
another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless
life. For he testified, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is truly a
dis annulling of the old commandment going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the
law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope by the which we draw nigh to God.
Inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said to him, The Lord swore and will not repent, you are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
They truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 8:6-13 But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of
a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless,
then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he said, behold, the days
come, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead
them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the
Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: and they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
In that he said, a new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decayed and waxed old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 12:23-29 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn (this would be Israel the seed of
faith), which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than
that of Abel. See that we refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on
earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven: whose voice then
shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
This word, yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.
From here we’ll return to our list of scripture as referenced earlier connected to John 1:17 and are as follows Acts 13:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 10:4; Hebrews 9:7-14, 10:8-12 and 14 which follow.
First for a refresher John 1 :17
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Act 13:33-41 (38-39) God has fulfilled the same to us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus again; as
it is also written in the second psalm, ‘Thou are my Son, this day have I begotten you’.
As concerning that he raised him up from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he said also in another psalm, ‘Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.’
For David, after he had served his own generation as a prophet by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid to his fathers, and saw corruption: but he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known to you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; “behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.”
1Corimthians 1:17-31 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of
words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” That in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God; it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I
bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of
God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves
unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
Hebrews 9:6-10 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first
tabernacle, accomplishing the service. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not
without blood, which he offered for himself, and the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that
the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which
was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make
him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks, and
divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed until the time of reformation.
Heb 9:11-14 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves,
but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the
blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the
flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot
to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15-17 For this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the
redemption of the transgressions under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a
testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.
Heb 10:1-10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can
never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshipers once purged should have
had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Wherefore when he came into the world, he said, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do tour will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He toke away the first, that he may establish the second. By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11-22 Every priest stood daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can
never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right
hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord, ‘I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.’
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Father Promising His Messiah as a Covenant
I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people. Isaiah 42:6
Once again, multiple promises reveal God's plan and guarantee His purposes. These promises are actually being made from God, the Father, to His Messieh, the anointed King (who is God, the Son). The promises show that the Messiah would be the new covenant of grace for His people.
In the opening words, the Father is describing the call of His Messieh (later referred to as "My Servant" — Isaiah 49:6. "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness." Also, the Father is promising full participation in His Messieh's mission. "I, the LORD . . . will hold Your hand; I will keep You." This would be essential, because the Messieh would go forth as a humble, dependent Servant ("My Servant"): "taking the form of a servant . . . He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" Philippians 2:7-8.
Then, the Father offers this great promise of Christ's primary role in going forth to earth. "I will . . . give You as a covenant to the people." Jesus Christ Himself would be given to God's people as His new covenant with them. The new covenant of grace was supplanting the old covenant of law. Yet, it was not just a matter of new terms being prescribed. Rather, a Person was being given, and He Himself would be the sum and substance of the covenant. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . full of grace and truth" John 1:14.
This new covenant of grace that God has for His people is all related to a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. He Himself is the embodiment of all that the new covenant promises. In the new covenant, the Lord promises righteousness. This righteousness is found in a Person. " 'Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' " Jeremiah 23:5-6. Peace is promised in this covenant of grace. This peace is also found in a Person. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace" Ephesians 2:13-14. Yes, all that the Lord promises by grace is entered into initially, and continually, by a humble, dependent relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Timothy 3:16 Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory. (El, Adonai, Yeshua, Immanuel, Jesus Christ, Son of man, Son of God)
The following is taken in part from a daily devotional by Pastor Bob Hoekstra, the KVJ Bible, Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Strong’s Hebrew and Greek and Thayer’s Greek definitions, with the leading of the Holy Spirit who put it all together for me. There is of course much more that can be said in regards to the new covenant and our part in it. Like what is required of us to become partakers of it blessings of promise, and how to avoid the warnings of destruction for those who disobey it.
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