My first time back to Jaffray in 4-5 months, and I am treated to a Jewish speaker who touched on a huge stepping-stone for our Jewish friends who claim they can’t believe. Covenants are a huge part of the Old Testament, and those who are Jewish hold them very dearly.

The Covenants of God

Genesis 17:4-5, Matthew 26:26-29

Rom 9:4; what was the covenant? look in first one
- we can break this down into 3 major covenants (“eras”)
  - Abraham
  - Mt. Sinai
  - David
- new renewed covenant (Jer 31)
  - original covenant still stands, but caretakers slack THEREFORE need “renovation”/renewal
What do covenants entail?
- usually requires bloodshed
- “brit”: concept of cutting in half and walking through barefoot
- covenant: “regarded as permalink between past and present, never dissolving”
ancient covenants (ie. Abraham time)
- the call (a gathering with THE ultra king)
- the contract and agreement; 3.5 years
- cutting ceremony
- sealing of the covenant (blessings and names)
- annual anniversaries
  - after all these completed, essentially: “my son will be your’s and your’s mine; whatever happens to your son, I will be ready to die for him…and all further sons”
from Abraham to Jesus:
1. Abraham’s Call (Gen 12:1-3)
  - covenant is about being witness of the one true God in a pagan world
2. God’s commitment (Gen 15:4-21)
  - Jesus will be for Abraham and his descendants
3. God’s intention vs human interpretation (Abraham missed it in Gen 16)
  - Abram = high father; Abraham = father of multitude
  - Sarai = dominating woman; Sarah = noble woman
    - names are changed to reflect covenant
  - Issac & Jacob: Issac becomes the son for God (and as a result, Jesus becomes son for the world) [reaffirmation]
Covenant on Mt.Sinai
- reaffirmation of covenant BUT conditional because formed with terms of Abraham
- Sinai pronounced “Sina’aa”: means hatred/disgusting
  - God was disgusted with sins of people
Covenant of David
- 2 Sam:7
- covenant of David has people calling Jesus “son of David”
- Luke 1:31-33
- New covenant: Matt 26:28
although we no longer require animal sacrifice or blood sacrifice (all fulfilled through Jesus), or a priest on our behalf, we must be careful toward rebellion against God (Hebrews)
are you living in the covenant?
- love God, love others
- Mark 12:29-34