This study is based on the following premise:
We may have different points of view and doctrines however, irrespective of how logical some doctrines are from a human point of view, are they Biblical?
Whether I think it would be just for God to punish someone eternally, feel justified believing in "prosperity doctrines" or "Sabbath doctrines". The issue is simply this: "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY".
To put our beliefs ahead of the Scriptures is to call into question the Word of God.
What is a Covenant?
A covenant is basically a promise. Covenants have a three-prong structure.
1) A PROMISE,
2) A CONDITION,
3) AND A SIGN.
In ancient times a King may overcome some village and give them the option of life or death. (Death or life? Hmmm… let me think about that). Most of the time they would choose life (Funny that). As a sign of obedience to the one who over came them, they would have a covenant sign ( A lock of hair, a earring, etc). This sign promised allegiance to the one to whom is their "master", their "overcomer".
If they were loyal to him, he would protect his people.
*THE KEY TO COVENANTS?
IT ESTABLISHES LORDSHIP. (Whether God or a earthly king / ruler or etc..)
The Noahic Covenant: Genesis chapters 6 - 9
Promise: Never a universal flood again (Genesis 9:9-17),
Condition: It’s unconditional, ie: "never" (Genesis 9:15)
Sign: Rainbow. (Genesis 9:14-15)
The Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis chapters 15 –17
Promise To be a father of many nations (Genesis 15:5) & (Genesis 17:5)
Condition To "believe" (Genesis 15:6)
Sign: Be circumcised (Genesis 17:10)
The Mosaic Covenant
Exodus chapter 19 - 31
PROMISE: Israel would be treasured, His people, a holy nation, (Exodus 19:4-6)
CONDITION: Obedience (Exodus 19:5) SIGN: The Sabbath (Exodus 31:12-13).
The Mosaic Promise and Condition:
Exodus19: 4-6, 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 19:5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 19:6'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." (Note the Lordship authority throughout this text)
The Mosaic sign:
Exodus 31:12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 31:13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a SIGN between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
(NOTE the LORDSHIP and also its permanence: to be kept throughout the generations),
Irrespective if the people disobeyed God, God still keeps his promises, God is a Covenant keeping God.
Exodus 2:24-25 So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His Covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.
And again in Jeremiah, they were in rebellion to their Lord to whom they were to serve but God was still faithful to them.
Jeremiah 31:32 "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.
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