Bible Study Two Covenants: The Old and New
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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When I made the comment that those under the Abrahamic Covenant live after the Spirit, but as it pertains to the flesh, they have been asked to obey the laws and ordinances of the nations that rule over them, I was primarily thinking about the scripture from Romans and 1 Peter.
Rom 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also:for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues:tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour
1 Pet 2:11-20
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
In re-reading through some of the comments that I have posts, something interesting occurred to me. I have maintained that the two covenants are separate and unique, and that the Abrahamic Covenant remained hidden within the old Covenant of the Law to those who could not see past the vail, which vail is done away in Christ ( See Exodus 34:-25 and 2 Cor 3:12-18). We in the USA have the Constitution and the federal, state and local laws and ordinances that govern the land and the people according to our deeds in the flesh. The Lord has asked those who walk under the new covenant to submit themselves to the laws of the nations that rule over them. Was it any different for the Faithful children of the seed of Israel to obey and submit themselves to the Laws and ordinances of the old Covenant, because at the time the Law of Moses was the binding law of the land and the nation of Israel at that time according to the flesh?
Micah 6:6-8
Wherewith shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before the high God?
shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves of a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God.
One of the things that characterize the new covenant, the covenant promised to Abraham and confirmed in Christ is the principle of mercy. That the Lord would perform the mercy promised to the fathers. And as Jesus taught you, to forgive one another. When asked how many times they should forgive their brother, the Lord told them until seventy time seven. Yet even as the prophet Micah declares, He hath shown you what the Lord requires: to love mercy and walk humbly. When we look at Abraham, we see this characteristic manifest as he seeks mercy in asking the Lord if he shall destroy the righteous with the wicked.
Gen 18:20-33
And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous:wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham.
Wherewith shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before the high God?
shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves of a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God.
One of the things that characterize the new covenant, the covenant promised to Abraham and confirmed in Christ is the principle of mercy. That the Lord would perform the mercy promised to the fathers. And as Jesus taught you, to forgive one another. When asked how many times they should forgive their brother, the Lord told them until seventy time seven. Yet even as the prophet Micah declares, He hath shown you what the Lord requires: to love mercy and walk humbly. When we look at Abraham, we see this characteristic manifest as he seeks mercy in asking the Lord if he shall destroy the righteous with the wicked.
Gen 18:20-33
And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous:wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham.
Another characteristic of the covenant promised to Abraham is that the Lord makes known his secret to his servants the prophets.
Gen 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom:and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him
Amos 3:6-7 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
As for Abraham's concern for the mercy of the righteous, we find the the city is warned, and Lot and his family did as the Lord commanded them and left the city before fire rained down from heaven and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Only Lot's wife did not obey, and see looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Just a thought: Do you think see looked back because she longed for the comforts of the city? Or did she look back because she wanted to glory in the punishment being brought upon the city?
The prophet Jeremiah warned the people and the city of Jerusalem that Judgement was upon them from the Lord for their transgressions by the hand of the Babylonians. And Jeremiah told the peoples that that should surrender to the King of Babylon, for it is the Lord's will that they should serve the King of Babylon in captivity.
Jer 24:4-7 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land:and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. (compare to Jer 31:28)
Likewise, the prophet Jesus of Nazareth warned of the Judgement and destruction of the city of Jerusalem, but also told the people who would hear: when you see these things, flee to the mountains.
Matt 24:16-18 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes .
Gen 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom:and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him
Amos 3:6-7 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
As for Abraham's concern for the mercy of the righteous, we find the the city is warned, and Lot and his family did as the Lord commanded them and left the city before fire rained down from heaven and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Only Lot's wife did not obey, and see looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Just a thought: Do you think see looked back because she longed for the comforts of the city? Or did she look back because she wanted to glory in the punishment being brought upon the city?
The prophet Jeremiah warned the people and the city of Jerusalem that Judgement was upon them from the Lord for their transgressions by the hand of the Babylonians. And Jeremiah told the peoples that that should surrender to the King of Babylon, for it is the Lord's will that they should serve the King of Babylon in captivity.
Jer 24:4-7 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land:and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. (compare to Jer 31:28)
Likewise, the prophet Jesus of Nazareth warned of the Judgement and destruction of the city of Jerusalem, but also told the people who would hear: when you see these things, flee to the mountains.
Matt 24:16-18 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes .
We are blessed in the USA. God ordained that our government would be by the people.
exactly so - for exactly what was the purpose of the Law or ten commandments via google see [Hell's best kept secret] - meanwhile also search out which of the covenants covers Matt.19:17 - twinc
What is a covenant? A covenant is a binding legal contract, recognized under the law. So too is marriage. A Marriage license is a binding legal contract between to individuals. When we look at the Old and New Covenants, we are seeing the marriage contracts that the Lord has established with man. The Old Covenant was the marriage contract between the Lord and the people of the nation of Israel. The New Covenant is the marriage contract between the Lord and the people of Faith in Christ.
Are you waiting for your marriage to the lamb of God? Are you already married to the lamb? Or in your pride do you say I am a queen and am no widow?
Gal 4:21-27 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
In this passage we find that the desolate are linked to Jerusalem which is now, and they are in bondage with her children, and they still answer to the old covenant, forever waiting for the promises to come. Both Jesus and the prophet Daniel spoke of the desolation of Jerusalem. But understand this in the frame set of marriage, because we are told in this passage as well, that the children of promise under the new covenant answer to New Jerusalem above which is free, and which already has a husband.
Rom 7:1-4 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
That you should be married to Christ, so that you should bring forth fruit unto God. How then can you bring forth fruit unto God and manifest the fruits of the Spirit except you are already married to Christ?
Are you waiting for your marriage to the lamb of God? Are you already married to the lamb? Or in your pride do you say I am a queen and am no widow?
Gal 4:21-27 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
In this passage we find that the desolate are linked to Jerusalem which is now, and they are in bondage with her children, and they still answer to the old covenant, forever waiting for the promises to come. Both Jesus and the prophet Daniel spoke of the desolation of Jerusalem. But understand this in the frame set of marriage, because we are told in this passage as well, that the children of promise under the new covenant answer to New Jerusalem above which is free, and which already has a husband.
Rom 7:1-4 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
That you should be married to Christ, so that you should bring forth fruit unto God. How then can you bring forth fruit unto God and manifest the fruits of the Spirit except you are already married to Christ?
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Isaiah 54:1-10
Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear;
break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child:
for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
Enlarge the place of thy tent,
and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations:
spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left;
and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles,
and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed:
neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame:
for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth,
and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
For thy Maker is thine husband;
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
For a small moment have I forsaken thee;
but with great mercies will I gather thee.
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee,
saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me:
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth;
so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
For the mountains shall depart,
and the hills be removed;
but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,
saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear;
break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child:
for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
Enlarge the place of thy tent,
and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations:
spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left;
and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles,
and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed:
neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame:
for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth,
and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
For thy Maker is thine husband;
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
For a small moment have I forsaken thee;
but with great mercies will I gather thee.
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee,
saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me:
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth;
so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
For the mountains shall depart,
and the hills be removed;
but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,
saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Do you hold on to your old covenant marriage vows? The vows in which you declare how you will bring your own flesh into obedience so that you do no sin? You Worship Jesus as your Lord and savior, but you act is if your Lord has left into a far country, and you eagerly await his return and the promise of a marriage. But if you hold to your old covenant marriage vows, know that your husband is already dead; And knowing that your husband be dead, do you still consider yourself a queen?
Rev 18:1-7
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,
Come out of her, my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached unto heaven,
and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you,
and double unto her double according to her works:
in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously,
so much torment and sorrow give her:
for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen,
and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Rev 18:1-7
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,
Come out of her, my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached unto heaven,
and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you,
and double unto her double according to her works:
in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously,
so much torment and sorrow give her:
for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen,
and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
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I am not commenting specifically on what you have written here concerning the grafting in, but instead using your comment as a springboard for a thought as it relates to my study on the two covenants.
In Romans 11 Paul speaks to the grafting into to root stock. But when we find a scripture such as Romans 11:16-25, and we reach up and pluck that piece of fruit from the tree of knowledge, then we should at least try and be cognizant of the schemes of the serpent and what he would cause us to do with that knowledge. For in our zeal to please God, and in our desire that we should demonstrate our own obedience, we begin to prune our own shoots and dress our own vine to prove to the Lord our worthiness, and we set ourselves up and try grafting ourselves into the root; and because we do so according to our flesh, we try grafting ourselves into Israel after the old covenant. But even Paul tells us that those branches were cast off, that they might also be grafted back in.
We should be careful what vine and what root we think we have graft ourselves into: We are not our own vine dresser. It is the Lord who dresses the Vine and it is the Lord who does the grafting. If by our own works, we may just find we have grafted ourselves into the Bramble instead, and we find the fruits that we bear are nothing but thorns and thistles.
You raise a very interesting point when you talk about those who think the Lord will bless them for whatever reason they were told. But what were those reasons that the people believe the Lord would bless them? Is it not because of obedience? They believe if they are obedient then the Lord will bless them. But I think we should be careful not to let the blessings of the Lord become unto us as a snare reinforcing our desire to remain obedient to the law under the old covenant. It is written the he has made the new covenant so that the old has become obsolete and ready to vanish away. But if one has not truly come to the knowledge of Christ, and they find themselves following after the old covenant promises, do you think the Lord would withhold His blessing on someone who remained obedient under the old covenant?
It is written that the Lord declared that if you wanted to believe a lie, then he would send you strong delusion so that you would believe the lie: To be bound under the old covenant in this day and age is a lie, yet if someone were to remain obedient to the old covenant law, I believe the Lord to be honorable and bless them for their obedience, and because the Lord swore by his new covenant the he would not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee, the curse has been withheld from them, so that the blessings reinforce their walk in error and contrary to the promises and blessings under the new covenant.
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Hebrews 8:7-13
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith 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 neighbour, 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 saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
This passage quoted in the book of Hebrews comes from Jeremiah 31:31-34, of which I have made many references within this thread. Here we find that the old covenant waxeth old and is ready to vanish away.
I would also like to point out another distinction concerning the two covenants. 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 is a reference to the old covenant. But there is a distinction to be made where it comes to the new covenant.
Jeremiah 16:14-15 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith 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 neighbour, 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 saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
This passage quoted in the book of Hebrews comes from Jeremiah 31:31-34, of which I have made many references within this thread. Here we find that the old covenant waxeth old and is ready to vanish away.
I would also like to point out another distinction concerning the two covenants. 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 is a reference to the old covenant. But there is a distinction to be made where it comes to the new covenant.
Jeremiah 16:14-15 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
It would appear that I have come full circle, for the scripture from Jer 16:14-15 has brought me right back to the first question I posed in this thread:
Matt 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
What does it mean to inherit the earth? Have we already inherited the earth? Or are we waiting for some future kingdom in which we hope to inherit the earth? Both positions I believe could be argued for from the scripture, but the difference in the answer would more than likely depend upon which covenant with God your beliefs align with: The old covenant or the new covenant.
Jeremiah 16:14-15 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Under the old covenant it was said the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but that saying is no more, because they put their Lord to death.
Under the new covenant it shall now be said that the Lord liveth (resurrected) that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the land wither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into the land that I gave unto their fathers.
Because we are under the new covenant, then I must assume that this is true, that the Lord has already brought them again into the land that He gave unto their fathers. Which would mean that we have already inherited the earth. Yet many people look for a future kingdom where Israel possesses the land as a nation after the manner of the flesh, and they look at the current nation as a sign of prophecy and hope, yet they do not know what they should hope for, nor do they understand that which is already theirs to possess.
But what did Abraham possess? Abraham was a tent dweller, he never possessed lands as his own nation. He followed after the Lord and went where the Lord commanded by Faith. And where ever the Lord commanded Abraham that he should go, Abraham tended the lands in the face of the nations that surrounded him, and he prospered. Joseph was sold a slave into the hand of the Egyptians, he possessed no lands, but still prospered in everything his hands touched, even ascending to rule above all others in the land.
Hebrews 11:8-10 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 in 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 hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:13-16 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 country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Matt 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
What does it mean to inherit the earth? Have we already inherited the earth? Or are we waiting for some future kingdom in which we hope to inherit the earth? Both positions I believe could be argued for from the scripture, but the difference in the answer would more than likely depend upon which covenant with God your beliefs align with: The old covenant or the new covenant.
Jeremiah 16:14-15 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Under the old covenant it was said the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but that saying is no more, because they put their Lord to death.
Under the new covenant it shall now be said that the Lord liveth (resurrected) that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the land wither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into the land that I gave unto their fathers.
Because we are under the new covenant, then I must assume that this is true, that the Lord has already brought them again into the land that He gave unto their fathers. Which would mean that we have already inherited the earth. Yet many people look for a future kingdom where Israel possesses the land as a nation after the manner of the flesh, and they look at the current nation as a sign of prophecy and hope, yet they do not know what they should hope for, nor do they understand that which is already theirs to possess.
But what did Abraham possess? Abraham was a tent dweller, he never possessed lands as his own nation. He followed after the Lord and went where the Lord commanded by Faith. And where ever the Lord commanded Abraham that he should go, Abraham tended the lands in the face of the nations that surrounded him, and he prospered. Joseph was sold a slave into the hand of the Egyptians, he possessed no lands, but still prospered in everything his hands touched, even ascending to rule above all others in the land.
Hebrews 11:8-10 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 in 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 hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:13-16 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 country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual
Psalms 25:4-14
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses;
for they have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
according to thy mercy remember thou me
for thy goodness 'sake, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth
unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord,
pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
What man is he that feareth the Lord?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease;
and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses;
for they have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
according to thy mercy remember thou me
for thy goodness 'sake, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth
unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord,
pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
What man is he that feareth the Lord?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease;
and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.
This Psalm is so rich with things for which to meditate upon, especially Psalms 25:14.
Psalms 25:14
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.
Has the Lord shared with you his secret? Has he made known to you the mystery of His Kingdom. Has He shown you his covenant?
Did you know that the new covenant is hidden, even when read from the scriptures. The new covenant and the kingdom of heaven can not be understood through knowledge alone; in fact it is our knowledge that blinds us to the promises of his new covenant, which are only revealed by Faith.
Jesus in his earthly ministry confirmed the covenant with many, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus often spoke in parables when teaching about his kingdom. And what saith the scriptures, why did Jesus speak in parables?
Matthew 13:10-15 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
2 Cor 3:14-16 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Knowledge of the scriptures alone will not make known unto you the kingdom of heaven and his covenant, only the future promise thereof. Do not confuse your knowledge as faith. One may posses faith in the knowledge they have attained, yet that knowledge may deceive you. Only when you shall turn to the Lord shall make His Faith known in you, and he will he show you his covenant and his kingdom.
Psalms 25:14
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.
Has the Lord shared with you his secret? Has he made known to you the mystery of His Kingdom. Has He shown you his covenant?
Did you know that the new covenant is hidden, even when read from the scriptures. The new covenant and the kingdom of heaven can not be understood through knowledge alone; in fact it is our knowledge that blinds us to the promises of his new covenant, which are only revealed by Faith.
Jesus in his earthly ministry confirmed the covenant with many, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus often spoke in parables when teaching about his kingdom. And what saith the scriptures, why did Jesus speak in parables?
Matthew 13:10-15 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
2 Cor 3:14-16 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Knowledge of the scriptures alone will not make known unto you the kingdom of heaven and his covenant, only the future promise thereof. Do not confuse your knowledge as faith. One may posses faith in the knowledge they have attained, yet that knowledge may deceive you. Only when you shall turn to the Lord shall make His Faith known in you, and he will he show you his covenant and his kingdom.
There are many covenants within scripture.
All fall under the universal covenant which to this day is marked by the rainbow.
In a world full of evil deeds, God found favor with Noah, and later Abraham. God used both Noah and Abraham as a beacon of hope for the world that many would be brought to that same faith. Just as the universal covenant with all humanity that God would never flood the world again was upheld by God alone, a smoking pot passed through the pieces of the covenant with Abraham. Thus, it is God who upholds these two covenants and these two covenants are upheld by God, and God alone.
The covenant at Mt. Sinai was made void by the Golden calf, yet God shows his grace by renewing the covenant not with tablets written on by God's own finger, but rather with tablets written with the hands of a man who speaks for God. What we can learn from this is that God's grace is not dependent upon what we do, but rather, where our hearts are. We also learn that one man (Moses) is able to intercede between God and man to evoke mercy where wrath is due. In part, this covenant teaches of God's mercy.
As JLB correctly stated and has shown clearly through scripture, the Law was added to the covenant with Abraham. I would only add that this covenant was added to the Covenant with the rainbow as it's a sign as which points to the nature of God which eventually is realized through Jesus.
This leaves the idea of a new covenant written about by Jeremiah and Ezekiel which states that the new covenant would have God's laws written on our hearts and it was for the House of both Israel and Judah. To better understand this, we must understand that a House was consisted of all the people within a group including slaves etc because House does not limit itself to blood relatives. Ruth was not of Hebrew decent, yet she is grafted into the faith of Abraham and became subject to the covenants. It is also good to understand what both Israel and Judah represented, which is outside the scope of this post.
The covenant at Mt. Sinai was violated the same week it was imposed. Yet Moses mediated and restored that covenant. The new covenant, much like the covenant in Noah's day, and with Abraham did not depend on man because God became man and just like God passed through the pieces with a smoking pot with Abraham, God offered his son for all of humanity on the cross. How much more then is God's son as our mediator than Moses ever was? For we know Moses disobeyed God and was never allowed to cross into the promise land, yet Jesus was perfect in every way, even unto the cross and in line with the covenant with Abraham, it was not dependent upon man. Rather, it was a promise from God.
All fall under the universal covenant which to this day is marked by the rainbow.
In a world full of evil deeds, God found favor with Noah, and later Abraham. God used both Noah and Abraham as a beacon of hope for the world that many would be brought to that same faith. Just as the universal covenant with all humanity that God would never flood the world again was upheld by God alone, a smoking pot passed through the pieces of the covenant with Abraham. Thus, it is God who upholds these two covenants and these two covenants are upheld by God, and God alone.
The covenant at Mt. Sinai was made void by the Golden calf, yet God shows his grace by renewing the covenant not with tablets written on by God's own finger, but rather with tablets written with the hands of a man who speaks for God. What we can learn from this is that God's grace is not dependent upon what we do, but rather, where our hearts are. We also learn that one man (Moses) is able to intercede between God and man to evoke mercy where wrath is due. In part, this covenant teaches of God's mercy.
As JLB correctly stated and has shown clearly through scripture, the Law was added to the covenant with Abraham. I would only add that this covenant was added to the Covenant with the rainbow as it's a sign as which points to the nature of God which eventually is realized through Jesus.
This leaves the idea of a new covenant written about by Jeremiah and Ezekiel which states that the new covenant would have God's laws written on our hearts and it was for the House of both Israel and Judah. To better understand this, we must understand that a House was consisted of all the people within a group including slaves etc because House does not limit itself to blood relatives. Ruth was not of Hebrew decent, yet she is grafted into the faith of Abraham and became subject to the covenants. It is also good to understand what both Israel and Judah represented, which is outside the scope of this post.
The covenant at Mt. Sinai was violated the same week it was imposed. Yet Moses mediated and restored that covenant. The new covenant, much like the covenant in Noah's day, and with Abraham did not depend on man because God became man and just like God passed through the pieces with a smoking pot with Abraham, God offered his son for all of humanity on the cross. How much more then is God's son as our mediator than Moses ever was? For we know Moses disobeyed God and was never allowed to cross into the promise land, yet Jesus was perfect in every way, even unto the cross and in line with the covenant with Abraham, it was not dependent upon man. Rather, it was a promise from God.
Whereas salvation has always been by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ, and whereas those who believed God were deemed righteous ever since Abel (see Hebrews chapter 11), there is no question that there are two covenants in Scripture, the Old Covenant, which was ratified with the blood of bulls and goats or "goats and calves" (Hebrews 9:12,19) and the New Covenant which was ratified with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11-28).
In order to understand the relationship of the two covenants, and the inferiority and temporary character of the Old Covenant, we need to focus on the epistle to the Hebrews.
It is very clear from this book that the Old Covenant and the Law of Moses were types and shadows of the reality and eternality of the New Covenant (Hebrews 10:1-20).
It is unfortunate that there are many today who desire to cling to Moses even after God has declared that Christ and His New Covenant, in His own blood, have done away with the Old Covenant.
In order to understand the relationship of the two covenants, and the inferiority and temporary character of the Old Covenant, we need to focus on the epistle to the Hebrews.
It is very clear from this book that the Old Covenant and the Law of Moses were types and shadows of the reality and eternality of the New Covenant (Hebrews 10:1-20).
It is unfortunate that there are many today who desire to cling to Moses even after God has declared that Christ and His New Covenant, in His own blood, have done away with the Old Covenant.
The law was added until the Seed should come.
The Abrahamic Covenant was before the law ["old Covenant"] and is what we are grafted into as believers in Jesus Christ.
The New Covenant is not a "different Covenant" but rather a "fresh Covenant" that includes the Holy Spirit for all who believe.
The New Covenant is the Abrahamic Covenant that the Lord Himself has now shed His Blood to Confirm for all who believe [obey] the Gospel.
Galatians 3 -
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham...
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
No one can disconnect the law and commandments of God, that Abraham was commended for obeying, from the New Testament.
because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Genesis 26:5
Abraham was commended for walking with God and obeying His Voice, and keeping His commandments and laws.
How much more are we to walk in obedience to these things who have been given His Spirit?
JLB