Enter into the Covenant

When do we enter into the Covenant with God?

For many years I have wondered why God is so patient with the human race. Many of us fail Him every day. Some slander and outright deny Him and His existence, yet He hold us so dear to His heart, His eternal love never ends. one thing that must be said is that God is a RIGHTEOUS and HOLY God. So often we hear of God’s love for us, and we very seldom think of God standing alone without man in the picture.

Through Jesus God established a new covenant with man, and our relationship has been restored. Through this blood covenant we have entered into a mutual understanding, I have confidence in God’s ability and blessings to keep me safe in Him as I commit my life to Him.

There once was a king who had a very strong reputation for applying the law in his kingdom. He never compromised for anyone. If someone broke the law a penalty was always required.

Then one day this king sat upon his throne hearing case after case, when unexpectedly a very shocking thing happened. A young man was brought in for judgment. He had been caught red-handed in theft. The whole kingdom mounted in silence to hear the king’s judgment. You see, this was no regular case: the young man was the king’s son!

Being as broken hearted as he was, the king knew that he still must give judgment. Justice must be done. Then unexpectedly the king amazed everyone by ordering HIS OWN HAND to be cut off. He chose to pay the penalty himself!

This is precisely what God did for you and me. He entered into a Covenant with me and offered His Son in my place. Notice these important words from Isaiah

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6

Why do we need to formally enter into this covenant?

The same as what all forms of agreements and contracts must have a beginning where two or more parties agree to do something. Even with the best intentions no agreement can be established without the parties agreeing on the conditions of the contract.

The same principles apply when enter into an agreement with God when we give our life to Him, we enter into a covenant with Him. He has set guidelines described in the Blood Covenant of God, the benefits as well as the penalties for all concerned.

“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20

How did Abraham enter into the covenant with God?

Abraham had a personal relationship with God, they spoke to each other as friends. Abraham was quick to respond to God and follow God’s direction for his life.

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.“ James 2:23

God came to Abraham in a vision and told Abraham that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars, without doubt Abraham believed God even he had no child of his own!

How did the Disciples enter the covenant with God?

In Matthew’s account of the call of the first disciples, we don’t really learn anything about these four men except that they are fishermen by trade. The social upbringing of these four men is not important. We see is four men being taken away from their personal and professional lives in response to the call of Jesus upon them.

And what are they called to? Jesus uses a really odd metaphor here! “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” The older versions of the Bible have it as “I will make you fishers of men”.

These first disciples would probably have heard of Jesus: He was, after all, walking round Galilee proclaiming the kingdom of God and as Galilean fishermen, they would probably have either seen Him action or at the very least have heard about Him. Galilee was a small place and, undoubtedly, Jesus was making a name for himself, so it is very likely that these fishermen would have been aware of Him.

They would also, perhaps, have heard of John the Baptist’s proclamation that Jesus was mightier than He was.

The disciples were fishermen and fishing when Jesus passed along the sea of Galilee. Jesus said “follow me and I will make you fish for people” and they immediately left their nets and followed Him. We see an instant response to the call of Jesus because they knew Him.

“Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Matthew4:19-20

Without the details of where they are going, who is going to support them or where the next meal is going to come from, they trusted him. They entered into a Covenant with God.

What are the indicators that we enter into a covenant?

We see from all these verse references that we should deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus. Jesus said that the way to follow Him was to take up our cross, He meant that without murmuring, to be opposed, to be shamed, to suffer, and to die, all for your commitment to Him.

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

To take up your cross, meant to treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honour, comfort, and life, just as Jesus did while He was on earth.

‘For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:’ I Peter 2:21

The same way the Vassal king must submit to the Great king and accept his life-style, laws and safety, we must yield to God.

What is the compensation offered for surrendering to this covenant?

Your personal cross may result in suffering and even death because God called you in and through Christ for a higher and heavenly purpose, but God’s reward will be so much as 100% more than what we give up on earth. His purpose is to use you to bring glory to Him, you are Christ’s Ambassador who speak for Christ and says to the world on His behalf: Be reconciled to God.

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. “ II Corinthians 5:20

Because we are an extension of God on earth, He will equip us, support us and provide for us to do this task.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. “ John 15:7

What are the 5 phases of the covenant promise as outlined in Leviticus 26?

The recognition of God, we recognise God as the one and true God.

The blessings of the Covenant, blessings of peace, prosperity, health protection, success and the presence of God in me.

“I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.” Leviticus 26:6

The penalty of breaking the Covenant, physical sickness, disease famine poverty and ultimately it can cost me my life.

‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments,” Leviticus 26:14

The discipline of the Covenant, this is penalty multiplied by seven.

Forgiveness of the Covenant, when I repent, God promises total restoration of the blessings of the Covenant.

“But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 26:45

As we are under “Grace” is Leviticus 26 relevant to us today, if so in what way?

Yes, the old Covenant blessings still stands but are now expanded under the new covenant and so are the penalties more severe, but the performing of rituals has become obsolete, as Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice and no more is needed except faith in what He did. Each time in Bible history when God made a new covenant the old one still stands, but is elaborated.

“In that He says, “A new covenant ,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13 NKJV

God tells us that He altered the original covenant and made “a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6 NKJV

Why did God need a new covenant?

God longed for a personal relationship with man, not one through the priest as mediator, but on a personal level. Our entrance into the New Covenant was one no longer a matter of birth sacramental ritual and law, but a matter of faith in the work of Jesus.

That fault was with the people, not with the law.

“Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord , when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah” Hebrews 8:8

Reflections:

Now that I have a better understanding on why the Old Covenant were replaced with a New Covenant I can truly see that in the Old Covenant God wrote the law on tablets of stone. It was external, not part of the thinking and motives of the people. It was in their literature but not in their hearts. In the New Covenant God writes the law in the minds and hearts of His people.

To enable people to internalize His law, to love it and obey it eagerly and willingly, God makes this promise to renew our hearts and spirits.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26-27