Hebrews 8:6…But the ministry
Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He
is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
• What do we do when a blessing that we are believing in Jesus for
- has yet to enter our life? Sometimes – after days, weeks or months
– still there is no signs of the blessing. What do you do?
• Genesis 15:8–9… Abraham faced the same situation and
started questioning God. And God answered, “Bring Me a three-year-old
cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old male sheep, a dove,
and a young pigeon.”
• Genesis 15:18–21… The bible tells us that God took
Abraham’s question very seriously, and went on to show Abraham how
serious He was that God was willing to bind Himself to a covenant. A covenant
is a SERIOUS thing!
• What is a covenant? It is like a contract. But it is more than
a contract. Here are some differences…
CONTRACT |
COVENANT |
A contract is an agreement made only for a period
of time, like five years, seven years or etc. |
A covenant is a permanent agreement. |
| There are ways to get out of a contract – such as when the
period of years is over or until certain terms are fulfilled. |
The only way out of a covenant is through death. That is why Christian
marriage is a covenant, not a contract. It is supposed to be permanent
— “Till death do us part”. |
The shedding of blood is not necessary in making
a contract. |
Normally blood (which represents life) is shed
and becomes the mediator in the cutting of a covenant. |
• In Bible times, when two parties cut a covenant
with each other this is what happens…
1. An animal, usually a ram (male sheep) or goat is cut into two.
2. Both parties will face each from a little distance with the animal
pieces in between them.
3. Then walking towards each other between the animal pieces, crossing
each other at the centre.
• 1 Samuel 18:3… When a covenant is made – between two
parties…
CONTRACT |
COVENANT |
Both parties agree to be on each others side
forever |
To protect and provide for each other forever |
| Whatever belongs to one of the party – now becomes the belonging
of the other party too |
What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine |
The weaker or lesser or poorer party benefits
from the Covenant |
David was rich in reputation while Jonathan
was rich in wealth. After the covenant – Jonathan’s
wealth becomes David’s wealth while David’s reputation
becomes Jonathan’s reputation |
• John 1:36… Today God has cut a Covenant
with His children with Jesus as the lamb (animal) that was sacrifice for
the covenant. The consequences of this Covenant are…
1. God and His children agree to be on each others side forever. God protecting
and providing us forever. We can neither protect God nor provide God anything.
2. Whatever belongs to God – now belongs to God’s children
too.
3. Obviously - we are the weaker, the lesser and poorer party. We have
nothing to offer God. But God, the richest and most powerful being in
the universe, has everything to offer us!
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