GOD'S PLAN FOR MANKIND

Our mission is to spread the Word of God and help people understand His covenants and laws.

This site has two main articles. The first one presents the covenants that God has created with mankind. These are contracts God has entered into with us that binds Him to certain promises for us. These promises are the foundation of our faith and hold the key to a fulfilling purposeful life.

The second article is about the universal law of good and evil that is the basis for a relationship with Him. In addition, there are several small articles that may be of interest to you.

God's desire is to have a loving relationship with you. We hope these articles will provide answers to your search for meaning and purpose in your life as well as build your faith in God and help nourish a relationship with Him.

The Covenants of God Chapter 1: Introduction

A brief description of the covenants God. These covenants define God's plan for us and how we can be in a relationship with Him.

When God created the heavens, the earth and mankind He had a plan for us. He did not want people to be robots who just followed His programming. He created people with a free will so we could choose how we would live our lives. He also created us with bodies of flesh with physical needs and spiritual minds that seek a higher purpose than serving our flesh. He created us in love and to be in a relationship with Him. Based on His design of us, we can be the most happy and fulfilled by mastering our physical desires to conform with our spiritual mind. Every person since Adam has had to work out this conflict between serving our flesh and our mind. To empower mankind so we can make an informed choice, God entered into a series of four (possibly five) contracts called "covenants". Each covenant defines the actions promised by God based on the oath He has taken. Each covenant also defines the responsibilities of the people who choose to enter into that covenant. This includes punishments for being unfaithful and blessing for being faithful.

Sadly, Adam and Eve decided to serve their flesh by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. For this sin, they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden breaking the relationship between God and their descendants. The Bible contains the plan God made to restore His relationship with mankind after the fall of Adam and Eve. This plan is defined by the covenants He has made with us. Some scholars believe the first covenant was between God and Adam and Eve. This covenant provided a substitute to pay the death penalty for the sins the couple had committed in eating the fruit. It also provided a promise that Satan would be punished for his sins by a descendent of Eve. The second covenant was made shortly after the great flood that destroyed the world. God made a covenant with Noah and his descendants that He would never again destroy the earth by water (Genesis 9).

This paper will focus on the three remaining covenants. The first covenant was made between God and Abraham and his descendents. The second covenant was made between God and the Israelites on Mount Sinai after they had been freed from Egyptian slavery and is called the Law. The third covenant was established by Christ and is the one that is in force today. These covenants are contracts that God binds himself to. The blessings and curses promised by God under the covenants are not just a matter of his will. They are also a matter of God's obligation to fulfill his part of the contract. This is important because humans have a hard time being 100% faithful. I gives us great hope to know the promises of God are not based on our faithfulness; they are based on the faithfulness of God. This is made clear in the book of Hebrews where it discusses the covenant God made with Abraham:

Hebrews 6:17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

In the larger picture, we can see these covenants as the central part of God's plan to restore the relationship that was lost when Adam sinned. He started the reconciliation process by making a covenant with Abraham. This was a very basic covenant that provided a foundation for a strong relationship with God. It didn't promise Abraham and his descendents great wealth, health or long lives; those things came later as blessings of the Mt. Sinai covenant. It simply made Abraham and his descendents God's chosen people, gave them lots of children including nations and kings, gave them a kingdom to live in, protected them from their enemies and, at some time in the future, would provide for the forgiveness of their sins. The only thing that was required for them to enter this covenant and receive these blessings was circumcision. Thus, all of the promises were given to them by the grace of God.

God opened a path for a relationship where all they had to do was believe God's promises and have faith in Him. This faith would be counted as righteousness (James 2:23) and whatever sins they died with would later be forgiven by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:15). The Israelites had certainty in their lives because they knew God is always faithful even when we are not. This is one of the main characteristics of all of the covenants God has made with mankind. We have never been totally faithful, we have never had any righteousness based on our own actions and we have never deserved any of the blessings of any of the covenants. God has entered into these covenants because He loves us and wants a relationship with us. He gives us His love and His blessings through His grace and the covenants are His promise that these things are based on His faithfulness; not ours.

We will begin our study with an overview of covenants in the bible and in other parts of the world including a brief study of nonreligious covenants throughout history. The next four chapters deal with the Old Testament covenants of Abraham and Mt. Sinai. Studying the old covenants is important because it gives us perfect 20-20 hindsight. Unlike the new covenant, we have a complete history of the old covenant age and can see how the covenant with Abraham and the Mt. Sinai covenant dominated the day-to-day lives of the Israelites. We can also see how the actions of God with the Israelites, including blessings and curses, were a result of the covenant promises he bound himself to with an oath. We will examine the life of Abraham, the father of faith and the one person on earth with whom God chose to make his covenant. We will then look at the covenant God made with Abraham. Next, we will look at the covenant called "the Law" which was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai after the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery. We will examine this covenant and also look at how successfully the Israelites lived under it.

With the knowledge of how important covenants are, we will look at the covenant we live under today. What is the relationship between the covenant with Abraham and the new covenant? How do we enter the new covenant? What is the role of baptism in the new covenant? What are the promises of the new covenant? What happens in the spiritual realm when we join with God in a covenant relationship? How can we be certain of our salvation under the new covenant?

The last chapter looks at a covenant between two men; David and Jonathan. This history is a great example of how we should act in our covenant relationship with God. It will also help us understand the importance of a covenant relationship and what it means to us in our Christian lives.

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
General Information

CH2: General Information

This chapter provides an overview of covenants. It shows the importance of covenants and provides examples of them in cultures around the world. This information comes from a 1885 book by H. Clay Trumbull, The Blood Covenant. This chapter also provides the details for blood covenant ceremonies and a additional information on the covenants in the Bible.

Chapter 2 Sections Include: (The buttons can be clicked to go directly to the section)

Blood covenants are one of the most important relationships that two people can enter into. In a blood covenant, the possessions, power and abilities of the covenant partners belonged to each other. If we were in a covenant relationship and were attacked, our covenant partner would come to our rescue. If we lost ten thousand dollars at the race track and didn't have any money to cover the bet, our covenant partner would pay it for us. As you can see, covenant partners were chosen very carefully. It would be highly unlikely for a king to form a covenant with a beggar. As a child watching TV, I remember westerns where a cowboy and an Indian Chief would become blood brothers by cutting their hands and pressing the two cuts together. Although I didn't understand the full importance of what they were doing, I later learned this ritual joined their lives together. When the two cuts were pressed against each other, the blood, and thereby the life from each man flowed into the body of the other one and they became one.

The word "covenant" in the Old Testament is translated from the Hebrew word "briyth", meaning, literally, to cut a compact. The origin of the word is uncertain but many scholars believe it comes from two words, "bara" meaning to cut, referring to the wound that was made to allow blood to flow and intermingle and "barah" meaning to eat, referring to the meal that was usually part of the covenant ceremony. The terms of the covenants varied according to the purpose of forming it. A covenant could be an alliance between two people or a treaty of friendship between two nations. When two people entered into a covenant and intermingled their blood, they were uniting their lives.

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
Covenants in Other Cultures

Covenants in Other Cultures

God tells us a person's life is in their blood (Leviticus 17:11). When we examine the blood covenants of different cultures throughout history, it is evident this knowledge is universally accepted. In his 1885 book, The Blood Covenant, H. Clay Trumbull examines blood covenants from various cultures and times. After an extensive review of religious practices throughout the world that involve blood, Trumbull concludes that "everywhere, blood seems to have been looked upon as pre-eminently the representative of life; as, indeed, in a peculiar sense, life itself. The transference of blood from one organism to another has been counted the transference of life with all that life includes. The inter-commingling of blood by its inter-transference has been understood as equivalent to an inter-commingling of natures. Two natures thus inter-commingled, by the inter-commingling of blood, have been considered as forming, thenceforward, one blood, one life, one nature, one soul - in two organisms. … A covenant of blood has been recognized as the closest, the holiest, and most indissoluble, compact conceivable. Such a covenant clearly involves an absolute surrender of one's separate self, and an irrevocable merging of one's individual nature into the dual, or the multiplied, personality included in the compact. Man's highest and noblest outreaching of soul has, therefore, been for such a union with the divine nature as is typified in this human covenant of blood" (The Blood Covenant, Impact Books, Kirkwood, MO, 1975, p. 202.)

Trumbull documented the existence of blood covenants in Europe, Scandinavia, China, Madagascar, Borneo, the Polynesians, the Middle East, North and South America, and many other countries and cultures. Although the ceremonies and methods of exchanging blood vary greatly, the common thread is the belief that the exchange of blood results in the commingling of life. Many cultures place covenant relationships above relationships with family. For example, most of us have heard the phrase "Blood is thicker than water." Arabs have a saying that blood (intermingled through a covenant) is thicker than milk (from a mother's breast). Trumbull, p.10).

Trumbull gives detailed accounts from the experiences of the Stanley expedition in Africa to find Dr. Livingston in the late 1800s. Livingston had gone to Africa to find the source of the Nile River and was presumed lost. While in Africa, Dr. Stanley entered into more than fifty blood covenants. In April, 1876, he formed a covenant with Mirambo, a chieftain who ruled over a 90,000 square mile kingdom. In this ceremony, small cuts were made on the right legs and the blood was intermingled. A curse was read for breaking the covenant; "May the lion devour him, the serpent poison him, bitterness be in his food, his friends desert him, his gun burst in his hands and wound him, and everything that is bad do wrong to him until death." (Trumbull p. 18) Dr. Stanley and Mirambo were friends and brothers for life because the same blood flowed in their veins

Another example was recorded by Commander Cameron, the person in charge of the Livingston search expedition. In June, 1874 he recorded a covenant ceremony between two African chiefs. Incisions were made on the wrists of the two parties and their blood was pressed into each other's cut. Gunpowder was then rubbed into the wounds ensuring that a scar would remain as a permanent token of the covenant. The two parties then gave a speech calling down curses on the other's relations, past, present and future and prayed that their graves might be defiled by pigs if he broke the covenant in word or thought or deed.

Commander Cameron believed he traced the practice of forming blood covenants from the Israelites to the Arabs to the Africans. If the practice did originate with Israel, it became perverted as other cultures adopted the practice. Tribes in Africa believed they could obtain the strengths of another person by drinking their blood or by eating them. Trumbull writes that cannibalism was practiced throughout the world as a religious rite, not a result of scarcity of food or an unnatural appetite. The Aztecs believed the heart was the source and center of the blood and thus was therefore seen as the source of life. When they sacrificed a human and offered the beating heart to their false gods, they were offering a gift of life.

Trumbull recounted the death of an early American missionary to show how Native Americans had perverted the rite of blood covenants.

"Jean de Brebeuf was the Jesuit founder of the Huron Mission to the American Indians. After a heroic life among savage people, he was subjected to frightful torture, and cruel death. To the last he refused to flinch and his death was an astonishment to his murderers. "We saw no part of his body," wrote an eye-witness, "from head to foot which was not burned while he was yet living, even to his eyes, in the sockets of which these wretches had placed live coals. Such manhood as he displayed under these tortures, the Indians could appreciate. Such courage and constancy as his, they longed to possess for themselves. When, therefore, they perceived that the brave and faithful man of God was finally sinking into death, they sprang toward him, scalped him, laid open his breast, and came in a crowd to drink the blood of so valiant an enemy; thinking to imbibe with it some portion of his courage. A chief then tore out his heart and devoured it." (Trumbull, p. 127-128)

The use of blood in the rites of false religions is also seen in the Old Testament. During the time of the prophet Elijah, the nation of Israel was ruled by Ahab and Jezebel. These rulers had abandoned the worship of God and led the nation into the worship of the false gods Baal and Asherah. (Baal is a generic term that included whatever false gods a culture chose to worship. Asherah is the goddess of fertility whose worship included the use of temple prostitutes and other lewd rituals.) Ahab and Jezebel did more to provoke the anger of God than any of the evil rulers before them. As a result, God sent Elijah to Ahab to declare a drought. There was no rain or dew in Israel for three years and a large number of Israelites starved to death. Ahab and Jezebel, however, had plenty of food and Jezebel kept herself busy hunting and killing the Lord's prophets. At the end of the three years God determined his people were ready to turn back to him and it was time to allow rain on Israel again. However, the priests of Baal had to be dealt with first.

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to a contest to see if the god they worshipped was more powerful than the one true God. A large pile of wood was placed on a mountain and each side sacrificed a bull and placed it on the wood. The winner would be decided when either Baal or the Lord set the wood on fire. The priests of Baal went first. They prayed and shouted from morning till noon but Baal did not respond by lighting the wood. After several more hours of praying to him, the priests cut themselves with knives and lances till their blood gushed out. This was not a means of self-torture, but an expression of their worship and devotion that they would offer their life containing blood to their god. However, even after they bled for their god, Baal did not light the wood. After they gave up, Elijah prayed to God and the wood and bulls were consumed by fire. It should be noted Elijah included a declaration of the covenant between God and the Israelites in his prayer by calling the Lord the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (1 Kings 18:36). We will examine the significance of this later.

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
The Blood Covenant Ceremony

The Blood Covenant Ceremony

Blood covenant ceremonies could be simple or elaborate. There were numerous ways to celebrate and memorialize the union of two people or nations. However, all of them involved a cut and the intermingling of blood. Malcolm Smith, a Christian minister who worked in Texas, has done extensive research on covenants in the Old Testament period and has identified the components involved in covenant ceremonies. To illustrate these components, let's assume two men are entering into a covenant.

They would exchange coats to symbolize their worldly possessions belonged to each other. If one of them ever needed anything, the other would supply it.
They would exchange a weapon or shield to symbolize that all their strength belonged to each other. If one of them was ever attacked or threatened, the other would come to his defense.
They would change their names to reflect the creation of the covenant. A common example of this in our culture is in the covenant of marriage. The bride usually changes her last name to that of her husband's. This is a constant reminder of the relationship and communicates to others that the husband and wife are in a marriage covenant. If you threatened or harmed one of them, the other one would be there to defend them or take vengeance.
There would be a cut, usually on the wrists, and the two cuts would be held together to let their blood intermingle and join the two separate lives into one. The cuts would be sealed in a way to leave a scar as a permanent reminder of the covenant.
The two men would then slaughter an animal, split it in two and lay the halves down in such a way that the blood from each half would run together in a small stream. The men would then walk between the two pieces to symbolize that what was separate is now one.
They would exchange blessings and curses. The blessings would include a list of their possessions and abilities. They would describe what the other one would receive for keeping the covenant. They would also tell each other the curses for breaking the covenant.
A covenant memorial would be constructed or established. This could be a stone, a well, a grove of trees, or even an exchange of sheep to form a memorial flock.
They would end the ceremony with a covenant meal to celebrate their new relationship.

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
The Five Covenants in the Bible

The Five Covenants in the Bible

The Bible records three and possibly four Old Testament covenants and one New Testament covenant between God and mankind. The Old Testament covenants are:

Genesis 3:14 –19. Although not explicitly stated, some scholars believe the first recorded covenant was between God and Adam. Adam and Eve should have been put to death as a punishment for their sin, but God provided a substitute sacrifice as evidenced by the animal skins they wore. God also promised their sin would be forgiven when Jesus, the offspring of Eve would crush the head of the serpent, Satan, who tempted her.
Genesis 9:8-17. God made a covenant with Noah, his descendents, and every living creature on Earth. God promised he would never again destroy all life on Earth with a flood. He gave the rainbow as a memorial sign of this covenant.
Genesis 15 & 17. God made a covenant with Abraham. This was an eternal covenant that established Abraham and his descendents as "God's people" and God as "their God". All they had to do to enter and remain in the covenant was circumcise all males. This covenant was one-sided. God promised Abraham and his descendents many things, but once in the covenant, they were not required to do anything in return.
Exodus 24. God made a covenant with Moses and the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. This covenant, known as the "Law", was a temporary addition to the covenant with Abraham and ended in the early days of the New Testament period. Unlike the covenant with Abraham, this covenant was two-sided. God promised great blessings as long as the Israelites lived according to the Law and great curses if they did not (Deuteronomy 28).

The Old Testament is primarily the history of the covenant between God and Abraham and the Mt. Sinai covenant. In fact, the word "Testament" comes from the Greek word "diatheke" and means a compact or covenant.

The New Testament is the covenant Jesus established. His purpose in coming to earth was to save us from our sins and provide a way for our eternal souls to be saved from the fires of Hell. Jesus accomplished these things by establishing a blood covenant. Hebrews 9:15 states; "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." All Christians today have entered into this covenant.

An example of how important covenants are to God.

God takes covenants very seriously. When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, God warned him to not make any covenants with the people living there because they worshiped false gods. God did not want his people to be covenant partners with idol worshippers because they would be tempted to worship idols. As the Israelites were destroying the various kingdoms within the Promised Land and taking possession of the them, word of their success reached the remaining kings. The kings decided to combine forces and attack the Israelites. However, the people of a nearby city, Gibeon, understood the power of God and believed they would be destroyed when the Israelites attacked them. They decided to trick Joshua by sending a delegation to the Israelites making it look like they had come from a far land. The ruse worked and Joshua and the Israelite leaders made a covenant of peace with them. Three days later, the Israelites learned the Gibeonites were neighbors who were living nearby. However, the deception did not change the fact a covenant existed between the two peoples. The covenant not only prohibited the Israelites from destroying the Gibeonites, but when the other kings attacked them for making a covenant with their enemy, Joshua and the Israelite army came to their defense. Even more remarkable was the fact that God was with the Israelites in defending Gibeon and intervened in the battle to give them the victory (Joshua 9:1 -10:15).

Years later, Saul, the king of Israel would violate this covenant by trying to annihilate the Gibeonites. When David, the next king, was ruling over Israel, God punished the nation with a three-year famine for Saul's sin in breaking the covenant. David, wanting to make things right, asked the leaders of the Gibeonite survivors what he could do to make amends. They asked for seven male descendents of Saul (Saul and his sons were dead by this time.) to be handed over to them. David agreed, the Gibeonites executed the seven men, and God ended the famine (2 Samuel 21:1-15). It is noteworthy that the closest living relative of Saul was his grandson, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. David did not hand him over to the Gibeonites because he had made a covenant with Jonathan and to do so would violate that covenant. The covenant between David and Jonathan is the subject of the last section of this study.

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
The Importance of Covenants

The Importance of Covenants

An example of how important covenants are to God

The importance of the New Testament covenant

On the night he was betrayed and arrested, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast and instituted the Lord's Supper. As he took the cup he said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28) The life of Jesus, his blood, was poured out for us when the Roman soldier pierced his side with a spear (John 19:31-37). Chapters 8 - 10 of Hebrews documents how Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice and brought his blood into Heaven to pour it on the altar there. By doing this, he established an everlasting blood covenant that contains the promises of forgiveness and salvation to those who have been joined with him. This covenant makes us "God's people" and makes him "our God".

With as much importance as the Bible gives to the covenant relationships between God and mankind, it's surprising there isn't more focus on them in modern day churches. A full understanding of what it means to be in a covenant with God is an enormous comfort and motivation in a Christian's life. Hebrews 6:19 calls the covenant an anchor for our soul. Sometimes we stumble in our Christian walk and our faith grows weak. Sometimes we fall to a temptation and commit a terrible sin. When we are so discouraged and think God is going to reject us, we simply have to remember the covenant of Jesus. The promises of the covenant don't depend on our human abilities; they depend on God. Because of our sinful nature, we will never deserve the promises. However, they are ours because God has guaranteed them by entering into a covenant relationship with those who are in Christ. When God keeps his promises to us, it is not just a matter of love and grace; it is also a matter of God fulfilling his covenant obligations to us. We will see examples of this when we look at God and the Israelites when they are in the wilderness. They do evil things and God wants to destroy them. However, Moses appeals to God on the basis of his covenant obligation and persuades God to change his mind and spare his people.

To Christians, the New Testament covenant we enter into is everything. The apostle Paul described the labor he and other Christians performed for the cause of Christ as the work of "ministers of the new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:6). The peace we have in knowing our sins are forgiven is based on a covenant promise and paid for by the blood of Christ. It is the covenant we live under that guarantees our forgiveness when we sin. We can approach God without fear and have a close relationship with him. It is the covenant that contains the promise of a home in Heaven. It's impossible to understand why the all-powerful creator of the Universe would want to bind his promises to us in a covenant obligation. I believe he did it because of his love for us; even with all of our weaknesses. Maybe this will all be made clear when we see him in Heaven.

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
General Information

Most people who know about Abraham think of him as a great man of faith. While this is true in his later years, Abraham did not start out that way. He grew up in Ur worshipping false gods. When God called him, Abraham obeyed and began a 35+ year journey and relationship with God. Through numerous challenges over those years, Abraham fails many times in his faith yet God always comes through in keeping His promises. Through those experiences, Abraham learns who God is and develops into the father of our faith.

The story of Abraham holds great inspiration for us today. We can take comfort in the fact God was willing to enter into this relationship with a human who had faults. God does not expect us to be perfect to be in a relationship with Him.

CH3: General Information

Chapter 3 Sections Include:

Let's turn to the covenant between God and Abraham. To help us fully understand this relationship, we need to take a critical look at Abraham. Although he is considered the father of faith, he was not always perfect. We can take comfort in the fact that God was willing to enter into this relationship with a human that had faults. God does not expect us to be perfect to have a relationship with Him.

Abraham was a descendent of Shem, one of the three sons of Noah. After the flood, the human race consisted of eight people; Noah, his three sons Shem, Ham and Jepheth, and their wives (Genesis 9). You would think after their experience, they and their descendents would understand who God was and what he was capable of. You would think they would do everything in their power to remain faithful to him. However, this was not the case. For example, Nimrod, the grandson of Ham, was described as a mighty warrior who stood defiantly before God (Genesis 10). He led his people into idolatry and built the tower of Babel, a ziggurat (step-sided pyramid) built for the worship of other gods. This angered God and he confused their language so they could not understand each other. The people were scattered over all the earth and the building of the tower stopped.

God Calls Abraham and He Goes to Haran

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
God Calls Abraham and He Goes to Haran

Two hundred and twenty two years after the flood, Terah, a descendent of Shem was born. If you travel to Iraq today and visit an area just above the Persian Gulf, you can see the ruins of the city of Ur where he lived and the ruins of the ziggurat there. The city of Ur was dedicated to the worship of Nanna and Ningal, the moon god and his consort. History tells us Terah made a living making idols of the two gods. He had three sons, Nahor, Haran, the father of Lot, and Abram (Abram's name was later changed to Abraham). They too had forgotten about the one true God. (Joshua 24:2-3)

It was at this time God decided to establish an everlasting relationship with his people. Acts 7:2-4 tells us God appeared to Abraham while he was in Ur and told him to leave his kindred and go to a land God would show him. In an amazing act of faith, Abram obeyed. He didn't take his false gods with him; they were left behind in Ur. He left all of the spirituality in his life up to that point to follow a God who spoke to him and was everywhere. He left a land where gods were created by men, to obey the one true God who created all men. However, while he left Ur, he did not fully obey God because he did not leave his kindred; he took his family with him. We don't know the reason Abram didn't go alone as God had commanded, but I believe Abram's family was the reason he did not go directly to Canaan as God wanted. The family left Ur and traveled north following the river Euphrates. But, instead of turning west and going into Canaan as God told him to, Abram turned right and went to Haran. (The father of Lot and the city where Abram and his family lived are both called Haran.) Haran was a center of worship for the moon gods. It may be Abram's family wanted to stay there so they could devote themselves to their worship of them. But for some reason, they lived in Haran until Terah died.

God Calls Abraham Again and He Goes to Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
God Calls Abraham Again and He Goes to Canaan

After his father's death, God spoke again to Abram. Genesis 12:1 states, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." God promised to make Abram into a great nation and bless all the people of earth through him. He told Abram he would be his protector and bless those that blessed him and curse those that cursed him. Abram, who was seventy-five years old and his wife, Sari, who was sixty-five, left Haran as God instructed. He also took his nephew Lot and all the possessions they had accumulated and people they had acquired and settled in Canaan. Canaan was an evil place where they worshipped false gods including the goddess of the life force and fertility. The worship rituals involved human sacrifices, sex acts with priests and priestesses who were temple prostitutes, and other activities that were an abomination to God.

Abraham in Egypt

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham in Egypt

After a while, there was a severe famine and Abram took his family to live in Egypt. His wife, Sarai, was an extremely beautiful woman. Because of her beauty, Abram was afraid the Egyptians would kill him and take her as one of their wives. In a moment of weak faith, he decided to pass Sarai off as his sister. His fears were confirmed when they entered Egypt. Pharaoh learned a woman of rare beauty had entered his kingdom and he had Sarai brought to him. Pharaoh took her as one of his wives and made Abram a rich man by giving him a large dowry. However, on the wedding night when Pharaoh tried to take Sarai, God didn't allow her to be touched. He struck Pharaoh and his household with diseases. The next day Pharaoh summoned Abram and learned Sarai was really Abram's wife. Pharaoh, who had personally experienced the power of God the night before and realized Abram and his wife were protected by him, was afraid and didn't kill them. Instead he exiled Abram and Sarai and let them keep the possessions he had given Abram. Abram should have trusted God instead of relying on his lies. God had told Abram he would protect him. Abram should have had more faith and believed God would not have let Pharaoh do anything to harm him. I believe this experience showed Abram God could be trusted even when his faith was weak. The promise of God did not depend on the faith of Abram; the promise depended on the faithfulness of God.

Abraham Goes Back to Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham Goes Back to Canaan

After their exile from Egypt, Abram and his family went back into Canaan. The famine was over and the Lord greatly blessed Abram and Lot. Soon there was not enough room for both of them and their possessions and they decided to part ways. Lot and his family went east into the valley of the Jordan and settled around Sodom while Abram, Sarai and their group went west back into Canaan. Abram believed God's promise to make him into a great nation, however, because of his and Sari's advanced age, he thought the promise would be fulfilled through Lot. With Lot gone, Abram no longer had a possible heir God could use to keep his promise of "descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth" (Genesis 13:16). Abram's faith was not strong enough to believe God could give him a son of his own in his old age so he named Eliezer, one of his servants, as his heir (Genesis 15:2-3). At this point in time Abram did not look like the father of faith. By many Christian standards he had failed. How many churches would see this man as great before God? He had failed the tests of faith several times and relied on himself instead of God. However, in his defense, he did two impressive things. First, he had a strong faith in the promises of God. He may have tried to rely on himself, but he still believed God's promise would come true. Looking at God's promise to Abram, we see a great example of how faith in God is made strong in our helplessness. God waited until Abram and Sarai were so old, there was absolutely no human hope of fulfilling the promise. It was then, as we will see, God chose to act. Secondly, although he was raised in a family that worshipped idols, he never turned back to them when he grew impatient waiting for the promises of God.

Abraham Rescues Lot

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham Rescues Lot

While Lot was in the area of Sodom, King Kedorlaomer and three other kings attacked Sodom on the plain of Jordan. Lot and his household were taken captive and Abram came to his rescue by defeating Kedorlaomer's army (Genesis 14). After the battle, Abram returned with the captives and the possessions that had been taken from Sodom. He was greeted by two people; the King of Sodom and Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of the one true God. Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abram and blessed him.

In an act of faith and worship, Abram gave him a tenth of the possessions from the battle. The King of Sodom told Abram he could keep all the possessions that had been taken from Sodom; he only wanted the captives that had been taken by Kedorlaomer. This must have been a powerful temptation for Abram. If he accepted, he would receive 90% of the wealth of Sodom. However, he had made an oath to God he would not accept anything from the King of Sodom; not even a thread or sandal thong. It would never be said the King of Sodom had made Abram rich (Genesis 14:21-24). Just after this victory of faith, God came to Abram and made the covenant.

God Makes a Covenant With Abraham

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
God Makes a Covenant With Abraham

When God came to Abram in Genesis 15, his first words were ones of comfort. God told Abram not to be afraid, he was Abram's shield and reward. Abram's first words were ones of discouragement. He cried out to God that he and Sarai had not had any children and, losing patience, had named his servant Eliezer as his heir. God was patient with Abram and assured him Eliezer would not be the heir. Abram was to have a son from his own body and his offspring were to be as numerous as the stars. Even though he and Sarai were too old to have children, Abram was reassured and trusted God to keep his promise. Genesis 15:6 states, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." That night, God entered into a covenant with Abram. We will examine the details of this covenant in the next chapter.

Abram has a son with Hagar to father a covenant heir

More time passed but Abram and Sarai still did not have a child. Their patience with God ran out again and they decided to give God some help. Sarai believed the problem was with her and told Abram to father a child with her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16:1-4). Hagar would be a surrogate mother and Sarai planned to build her family through her child. Abram agreed with the plan and Hagar became pregnant. Abram was eighty-five years old and Sarai was seventy-five.

Things didn't turn out the way Sarai had planned. As soon as Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat Sarai with contempt. Sarai was greatly distressed and she spoke to Abram telling him, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me." (Genesis 16:5) Abram gave in to his wife and told her to do what whatever she wanted. Sarai began to mistreat Hagar and she ran away to a spring in the desert. An angel of God came to Hagar and reassured her. He told her to go back to Sarai and submit to her. He also told her to name the child Ishmael and added Hagar's descendants will be too numerous to count. However, the angle also told her Ishmael would be wild. He would always be against everyone and everyone would always be against him.

God completes the covenant with Abram

Fourteen years later, Abram was ninety-nine years old and Sari was eighty-nine. God came to him and declared he was going to confirm the covenant that was previously started (Genesis 15). The word "confirm" used here (Genesis 17:2) comes from the Hebrew word "nathan" meaning to make, give, grant, or deliver. God was telling Abram he had come to deliver on the promises he had made earlier. At long last, God was going to give Abraham and Sarah a son. (At this time, God changed Abram's and Sarai's names to Abraham and Sarah.) When Abraham heard he was going to father a child at the age of 99, he laughed to himself. He didn't believe he and Sarah could still have a child and asked God to fulfill the covenant promises through Hagar's son: Ishmael. God again told Abraham he and Sarah would have a son and added that his name would be Isaac. God also told Abraham the covenant would be exclusively established through Isaac and his descendants. God said he would honor Abraham's request and bless Ishmael making him the father of twelve rulers and a great nation. However, Ishmael's descendents were not to be part of the covenant.

Abraham's Final Tests of Faith

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham's Final Tests of Faith

Sarah becomes pregnant. Abraham moves to Gerar

Shortly after Sarah became pregnant, Abraham decided to move his family to the city of Gerar in the region of the Negev (Genesis 20). While living there, his faith failed him again. Even though Sarah was 90 years old she must still have been very beautiful because Abraham passed her off as his sister for the second time. He was afraid if he told the king Sarah was his wife, the king would kill him and then take Sarah. Abraham did not have enough faith that God would protect him if he told the truth. The king believed Sarah was Abraham's sister and took her for his wife. Once again God kept his promise and protected Sarah by striking the king with impotence and closing the wombs of all the king's slave girls as well as his wife so they could not have children. God then came to the king in a dream and told him he would die unless he returned Sarah, a married woman, to Abraham. The king was very angry but also very afraid of God. He summoned Abraham and asked him "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done." (Genesis 20:9) Abraham's only excuse was that he was afraid. Abraham must have felt very ashamed and humiliated as his weak faith was made public. After the covenant was formed, God was known as "the God of Abraham" and Abraham and his descendants were to be "God's people". God told Abraham he was Abraham's shield in Genesis 15:1. With God protecting him, how could Abraham believe any harm could come to him? How could he have been so weak that he let his pregnant wife be taken by the king? His failure of faith could have brought shame on God. If the king had slept with Sarah, people might say Isaac was his son, not Abraham's. The covenant promise of descendants as numerous as the stars would have been tainted. But through direct intervention with the king, God made him a believer who feared him. The king returned Sarah and gave Abraham sheep, cattle, slaves, twenty-five pounds of silver and told him he could live anywhere in his kingdom. Abraham prayed for the king and God cured the king, his wife and the slave girls.

This incident was the last time we read of any weak faith on the part of Abraham. Since the time he left Ur, I believe God was patiently working with Abraham to develop his faith. Time and time again, Abraham learned he could trust God in spite of the fact that he himself was not always trustworthy. That's why the promises of the covenant did not depend on Abraham's actions, they only depended on God. (Hebrews 6:13-19) At this point, Abraham's faith was fully developed and as strong as any other human's to ever live. Never again did he doubt the promises, protection, or abilities of God. A few years later, Abraham would need every bit of his faith to pass a test God had planned for him.

The sacrifice of Isaac

When Isaac was a young child, God came to Abraham (Genesis 22). He told Abraham "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." (Genesis 22:2) I can't imagine how Abraham felt. After waiting so many years for his promised son, God now wanted him as a sacrifice. There were no other heirs through which God's promise could be fulfilled. Hagar and Ishmael had been sent away when Isaac was still a baby. Isaac was the only hope of Abraham's descendants becoming a great nation. Somehow, Abraham's faith was strong enough to obey God.

Abraham and Isaac traveled three days and then climbed the mountain God directed them to. Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice and Abraham carried the fire and the knife. When they reached the appointed place, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood. He then bound Isaac, laid him on the altar and raised the knife to take his son's life. At this moment, an Angel of God called to Abraham and stopped the sacrifice. We learn from Hebrews 11 (17-19) that Abraham had such a strong faith, he believed God could raise Isaac from the dead after he was sacrificed. The angel had a message from God. He said "Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Genesis 22:12). Abraham looked up at a noise nearby and saw a ram caught in a thicket. God had provided a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. The angel had another message for Abraham. He told him that, based upon this act of faith, God had sworn by himself that Abraham would be blessed, his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, his descendants would take possession of the cities of their enemies. He also promised that all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham's offspring (Genesis 22:15-18).

There is a great deal of symbolism in this incident. Just as Isaac carried the wood for his altar, Jesus carried his own cross. Just as Abraham was willing to offer his son, God was later willing to offer Jesus. Abraham figuratively receives Isaac back from the dead (Hebrews 11:19) just as Jesus overcame death. Jewish tradition holds that Solomon built the temple on the place where Abraham built this altar. The region of Moriah is where the city of Jerusalem would later be built. It's possible the location of Abraham's altar later became Golgotha where Jesus was crucified.

The story of Abraham holds great inspiration for us today. Humans are capable of unimaginable evil. However, in Abraham we see humanity at its best. Here is a man that was raised worshipping false gods. When God calls him, he responds and begins a journey and a relationship with God. Through many experiences where God comes through time and time again, Abraham learns who God is and develops into the father of our faith. Abraham received one of the highest complements God could give a person; God called him his friend (Isaiah 41:8).

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham
General Information

CH4: General Information

God made an eternal covenant with Abraham. The covenant was one-sided with God making binding Himself to several promises for Abraham and his descendants. The only requirement for Abraham and his male descendants was to be circumcised. The blessings/promises of this covenant from God included:

God became the God of Abraham and the God of his descendants and they became his people.
God was their shield. He would protect them.
The descendants of Abraham would inherit the land of Canaan.
Abraham became the father of many nations and kings came from him.
All nations on earth were blessed through the offspring of Isaac.
A time would come when people would be able to serve God without fear and know salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

These promises were transformed from physical blessings to spiritual blessings through the New Testament covenant of Christ.

Chapter 4 Sections Include:

As stated before, it was highly unlikely that a king would form a covenant with a beggar. Why then, would God choose to form a covenant with man? Why would he obligate himself to be faithful to the blessings of the covenant when we have such a hard time being faithful to anything, much less to God? Yet since the time of Abraham, God's relationship with his chosen people has been defined by a covenant. When we consider this, it's easy to understand why Hebrews 6:19 calls God's covenant oath an anchor for our soul. The promises of the covenant are not given to us based on any merit we have; they are based on God's grace to us. We don't deserve these blessings, nevertheless they are ours because God has obligated himself to them in a covenant relationship. Let's look at the covenant God made with Abram.

The covenant between God and Abraham was formed over several encounters. This relationship began when God first spoke to Abraham in Ur and told him to leave the city (Acts 7:2-4). As we have seen, Abraham made several decisions in his life where he tried to help God to fulfill the covenant promises. However, as his relationship with God developed, his faith became stronger and his actions relied more on God and less on himself. Abraham's faith was not some abstract idea conceived on top of a mountain. It was an active living faith that formed the basis of his actions and the direction of his life. After years of preparation, this amazing faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice the son he had patiently waited for over 35 years (Genesis 22). Abraham was willing to obey because he believed God could and would raise Isaac back to life (Hebrews 11:19). God had told him his descendants would be through Isaac and Abraham knew God always kept his word. Abraham's life remains an inspiration to us today because even though the father of faith was not perfect, he was still loved by God and great things were accomplished through him. Out of all the people of Earth, God selected Abraham as the patriarch of his chosen people and entered into a covenant with him.

The Initial Covenant Ceremony - Genesis 15

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

The Initial Covenant Ceremony - Genesis 15

In our earlier study of Abraham we saw how God came to him after he rejected the spoils of war from Sodom. The King of Sodom could never say he enriched Abram. Abram had made an oath with God and he trusted in him to supply all his needs (Genesis 14). After this act of faith, God came to him and initiated the covenant. It is recorded in Genesis 15:

1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." 2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." 5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." 8 But Abram said, "O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I shall gain possession of it?" 9 So the Lord said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." 10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and ill-treated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterwards they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking brazier with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates…

Can you imagine how great it would be to have God as your shield and reward ? You could walk through the streets of the worst crime-ridden city on earth, the land of your greatest enemy, or the worst war zone, and not fear for your safety. You could stand on any street corner in the world and proclaim the Gospel and never fear for your life. No attack could ever overcome the strength of God's protection. Also notice God told Abram he would protect his descendants. He prophesied to Abram they would be enslaved for four hundred years, but, when the time was right, he would free them with great wealth and punish those who had mistreated them. He was speaking of the Egyptian slavery of the Israelites and how he would free them.

We also see Abram was discouraged since the heir God had promised him earlier had not yet been born (v 2-3). He wanted a son more than anything else and was thrilled when God promised a great nation would come from him (Genesis 12). Abram demonstrated extraordinary patience in waiting for the promised son. But as the years went by and Sarai did not conceive, he slowly lost hope and decided to take matters into his own hands. His frustration was compounded by the fact he and Sari were too old to have children. It was hard for Abram to have patience and wait for God's timing. But God's timing isn't based on what we want; it's based on what we need. As our Shepherd, His main concern is for the salvation of our souls. Because his blessings are part of his plan for our lives, we must have patience and faith that all things will happen as they are supposed to. Abram had great faith and when God reassured him he would have a son, Abram believed him. It didn't matter how many years Abram and Sarai had tried to conceive a child and failed. It didn't matter they were past the age where they could have children. If God said he would have a son, then he would have a son.

In verse 7, God promises Abram he will take possession of the promised land. While Abram believed God's promise for a son, he had doubts about the promise of land. I believe this doubt wasn't with God, it was with Abram himself. He understood his human weaknesses and knew he couldn't always live in a manner worthy of a relationship with God. Sooner or later he would sin and, if the promises depended on him, they would be lost. Therefore, when he asked "O sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?", God responded by forming the covenant. That way the promise would not rely on Abram's ability to remain 100% faithful. It would rely solely on the never-changing will and 100% faithfulness of God.

In verse 9 God told Abram bring the animals, cut them in two, and arrange the halves opposite each other. Everything was ready and, as the sun set, God put Abram into a deep sleep and spoke to him. He repeated the blessings of the covenant, and, in verse 17, God appeared as a smoking firepot with a blazing torch and passed between the two halves of the animals. As we saw earlier, this was to signify what had been two separate beings was now joined as one in a covenant relationship. Unlike a covenant between two people where both of them would walk between the halves of the animals, only God passed between them. I believe this was for two reasons. First, the covenant was one-sided. Abram did not have any promises or obligations; only God did. Second, as great a person as Abram was, he still had sin and could not stand in the perfect presence of God. Whatever the reason, we understand God formed a covenant with Abram that night in spite of his imperfections.

The Completion of the Covenant - Genesis 17

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

The Completion of the Covenant - Genesis 17

Years later, Abram was 99 years old and Sarai was 89. God came and declared he was going to confirm the covenant previously made between Abram and himself.

4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God." 9 Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." 15 God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."

Part of confirming the covenant was for Abram's name to be changed to Abraham and Sarai's name to be changed to Sarah. In Hebrew, the name Sarai means "princess” and the name Sarah means "noble woman". The name Abram means "exalted father” and Abraham means "the father of a multitude". Malcolm Smith believes the name change was done to incorporate God's name into the names of Abram and his wife. God's name in Hebrew cannot be pronounced but it has "H" as the predominate sound. By adding an "H" sound to their names, Abraham and Sarah would have a constant reminder they were united in a covenant relationship with God.

God's name is also changed here. Prior to this, he was known as "The Lord". After this day he was known as "The God of Abraham". Before learning about covenants, I thought passages claiming God was the "God of Abraham" and the Israelites were "his people" were meant to differentiate God from the gods of Egypt or other false gods. However, it was only after God formed the covenant with Abraham and declared he would be "his God" and Abraham and his descendants would be "his people" that God became known as "The God of Abraham". The changing of His name put the world on notice that Abraham and his descendents were united with Him in a covenant relationship. It would be very dangerous for anyone to harm them in any way. An attack on Gods people was an attack on God Himself.

God said to Abraham in verse 7 He would be "your God and the God of your descendants after you". Again in verse 8, God, speaking of Abraham's descendants stated "I will be their God." When God said this, he was limiting who would be in the covenant. God was not the God of the Philistines or the Greeks or any other descendants of Noah. Neither was he the God of Ishmael. When God told Abraham Isaac would be born, Abraham asked God to bless his first son, Ishmael. In Genesis 17:20, God told Abraham his request would be granted and Ishmael and his descendents would become a great nation. However, Ishmael and his descendents would not be included in the covenant. God told Abraham the covenant would only be for Isaac and his descendents. Later, God came to Isaac and confirmed the covenant established with his father would continue through him (Genesis 26:2-5). A short time later, God came to Isaac at night and assured him he would have God's protection and covenant blessings because of Abraham (Genesis 26:24).

Isaac and Rebekah had twins; Esau and Jacob. Esau was a man who relied on his own strength and did not have a strong faith in God. Jacob however, had great faith in God and trusted him implicitly. I believe it was because of his faith that God chose Jacob, and not Esau to continue Abraham's covenant (Genesis 28:10-15). It was Jacob who would inherit the covenant promises God made to his grandfather. Jacob would be the father of many nations and kings would come from him. It was Jacob's descendents who would inherit the promised land and have God as their shield. It was Jacob's descendents who would bless all nations on earth. It was the descendents of Jacob who would be God's chosen people and he would be their God.

God only had one covenant relationship and that was exclusively with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God's name to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was based on his covenant relationship with them. As God told Moses on Mt. Sinai:

Exodus 3:15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name for ever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. 16 'Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt'.

Whenever the Israelites were in trouble, they would pray and remind God he was the "God of Abraham" or the "God of Isaac" or the "God of Jacob". They were stating their request was based on God's oath obligating him to keep the promises of the covenant. The covenant was their guarantee God would always be faithful to those promises. The promises were not dependent on any righteous acts of Abraham's descendents nor were they based on anything they had earned or deserved. The covenant only depended on the grace and faithfulness of God.

Circumcision - A Blood Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

Circumcision – A Blood Covenant

Up to this point, God had made promises to Abraham and his descendants but nothing was required of them in return. This changed in verses 9-15 when God commanded Abraham, his male descendants, and all male foreigners living with him to be circumcised. There was no other requirement or act they had to do on a continual basis. Just a one-time circumcision and God considered them to have kept the covenant. In Leviticus 17:11, God states the life of a creature is in the blood. With circumcision, a cut was made making this a blood covenant. When Abraham and his descendants after him were circumcised, the blood flowed out uniting their life with God. We might say Abraham and his heirs were circumcised into God. God was very clear about circumcision. In verse 17 he stated, "My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who has not been circumcised in the flesh will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." Thus, to be included in the covenant relationship with God, a descendant of Abraham had to be circumcised. There was no other way to enter the covenant relationship. If the male was not circumcised, he was to be cut off from God's people and could not receive any of the blessings of the covenant. It's important for us to realize many of the ceremonies God requires his people to subject themselves to are symbolic of actual events that take place in Heaven. On Earth, circumcision symbolized the Israelite's life being united with God in a covenant relationship. However, in Heaven God included that person in the covenant and they became an heir to the promises given to Abraham. They received God's protection and were blessed with children.

The circumcision scar was a lifelong token to help the Israelites remember the covenant relationship they were part of (verse 11). I think the reason the male genitals were the site of the cut was because of their reproductive function. The part of the body that created the seed of physical life was also the part of the body that had the mark of spiritual life. Also, it may have been a sign the covenant included all the descendants that would come from Abraham's loins. One of the main promises of the covenant was that Abraham would have descendants as numerous as the stars. From that day forward, when an Israelite man and wife lay together to have children, they would be reminded the children were a covenant promise from God.

The rites and ceremonies that are part of entering into and maintaining a relationship with God have never changed hearts in and of themselves. Nevertheless, they are extremely important to God. One of the more obscure examples of this principle was with Moses and his son when they were traveling to Egypt to free the Israelites. (Exodus 4:24-26) Moses, who had been adopted by the daughter of Egypt's Pharaoh, had fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian. In Midian, Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of a Midianite priest who bore him a son. After living in Midian for forty years, God came to Moses and told him he had been chosen to return to Egypt and free his people from slavery. God gave Moses several miraculous signs and assured him he would be with him to protect him and ensure his success. After God had addressed all of his doubts, Moses took his wife and son and started back to Egypt. Because God had chosen Moses for such an important mission, it is surprising to read he was about to kill him when Moses and his family stopped at a lodging place on the way to Egypt. Moses had neglected to circumcise his son and was about to die for breaking the covenant. Zipporah quickly grabbed a knife, circumcised her son, and struck Moses' feet with the foreskin. With that, the Lord spared Moses' life.

Circumcision by itself never made anyone faithful nor did it save anyone's soul. God's desire was they be one with him and place their faith in him and his promises. Did this simple ceremony change the nature of those who were circumcised? Of course not! From the origin of the covenant until the time of Christ, the vast majority of Abraham's seed were only eight days old when they were circumcised. They didn't understand what was done to them until they were older. However, understanding the covenant wasn't a requirement to receive the promises because they were given to Abraham's descendants as a birthright. Did that mean God didn't care if they lived by faith in him and sought a relationship with him? Not at all! The spiritual value of circumcision was not in the ceremonial cutting off of a bit of flesh and letting some blood flow out. It was in the symbolism of the implicit surrender of the whole life and being in devotion to God in a covenant relationship. As Romans 2:28-29 states, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code." Deuteronomy 10:16 and 30:6 record God's pleas for the Israelites to circumcise their hearts and seek a true spiritual oneness with him as represented by their physical circumcision.

An Everlasting Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

An Everlasting Covenant

The covenant between God and Abraham is an everlasting covenant as stated in verses 7, 8 and 13. It is translated from the Hebrew word "owlam" meaning (as used here):

long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
continuous existence, perpetual
everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

Thus:

God is "The God of Abraham and his descendants" forever (v7)
The land of Canaan is an everlasting possession of Abraham and his descendants (v8)
The covenant between God and Abraham and his descendants is everlasting (v13)

This means this covenant is still in force today. However, I believe it was changed by Christ. We will look at this in detail when we study the New Testament covenant of Christ. If you want to look ahead, read Galatians chapter 3.

Abraham's Descendants Were at the Covenant Ceremony

In verse 16, God told Abraham he and Sarah were going to have a son and his name would be Isaac (v 19). Through Isaac, God promised Abraham his offspring would be as numerous as the stars, be given the land of Canaan and become nations and kings. In a way, Isaac, Jacob, and the entire nation of Israel were within Abraham's body at the time the covenant was formed and were therefore parties to the covenant. In support of this line of reasoning, consider Hebrews 7:9-10. The writer of Hebrews was making a case that Jesus was a priest and a king in the mold of Melchizedek (the priest and king of Salem from Genesis14) and this priesthood was superior to the Levitical priesthood established by the Mosaic Law. (The Mosaic Law was the temporary covenant between God and the Israelites formed on Mt. Sinai. Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and one of the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Law established the Levites as the priests of this covenant.) The evidence of this superiority was based on Abraham's tithing of the war spoils to Melchizedek after the defeat of Kedorlaomer (Genesis 14:20). The writer reasoned that Levi tithed to Melchizedek because he was in Abraham's body at the time. Hebrews 7:9-10 states; "One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor." Therefore, every descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who had knowledge of the covenant and were circumcised understood they were entitled to the blessings of the covenant because they were in Abraham's body when the covenant was formed. They were also part of the covenant as the seed of Abraham because they had his blood flowing in their veins. We will look at this concept again when we examine the new covenant formed by Jesus.

Chapter 4 Summary

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham
In Summary

To summarize the blessings of the covenant between God and Abraham:

God was their shield. He protected them. (Genesis 15:13-14)
The descendants of Abraham inherited the land of Canaan. (Genesis 15:18-21 & 17:8)
God became the God of Abraham and the God of his descendants and they became his people. (Genesis 17: 7-8)
Abraham became the father of many nations and kings came from him. (Genesis 17:4-6)
All nations on earth were blessed through the offspring of Isaac. (Genesis 26:2-5)
The covenant was to be everlasting between God and Abraham's descendants. (Genesis 17:7)
An additional promise is stated in Luke 1:67-79. Here, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied the time was at hand when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham. This promise was of a time when his people would be able to serve God in a new way without fear, in holiness and righteousness and know salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. A few years later, these promises were made a reality through the sacrifice of Jesus and the establishment of the new covenant.

It is important to notice what was not promised under the covenant between Abraham and God. There was no forgiveness of sins, there was no salvation, and there was no promise of a home in Heaven. A descendant who was circumcised could live a near perfect life and receive the covenant blessings from God. Conversely, a descendant of Abraham could also worship false gods and still receive the blessings of the covenant as long as they were circumcised. However, neither of them would receive salvation under this covenant. They would carry their sins to the grave knowing they would receive eternal punishment. However, those who lived by faith placed their hope in the coming of the promised Savior. (Hebrews 11:13-16) Their forgiveness and salvation would come from Jesus.

How Abraham's descendants lived their life would matter in four hundred and thirty years (Galatians 3:17) when Moses and the Israelites received the Law on Mt. Sinai. Let's look at this covenant next.

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
General Information

This chapter covers the creation of the covenant between God and the Israelites after they were freed from Egyptian slavery. This covenant is called "The Law", "The Mosaic Law" or the "Mount Sinai Covenant". It is also the foundation of the Jewish Religion found within the Jewish Talmud.

This chapter also covers the struggle of the Israelite people to remain faithful to the Law and the forty year journey through the desert after they had rebelled against God. It ends with the Israelites camped on the bank of the Jordan river as they review their journey since leaving Egypt. They rededicate their desire to be in a covenant relationship with God as they prepare to cross the Jordan and take possession of the land of Canaan.

CH 5: General Information

Chapter 5 Sections Include:

Joseph in Egypt

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant

Joseph in Egypt

True to his word, God multiplied the descendants of Abraham into a great nation. After the covenant was formed between God and Abraham, Abraham and Sarah had a son named Isaac, who had a son named Jacob. Jacob, who God also called Israel, had twelve sons who were the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel which was named after their father. The twelve sons were born from four different women. Two of them were Jacob's wives; Leah and Rachel, and two of them were the maidservants of his wives; Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 35:23-26). Jacob loved Rachel more than his other wives and he loved her son, Joseph, more than his other sons. As an expression of this love, Jacob gave Joseph a richly ornamented robe. When the other brothers saw the robe, they were filled with so much jealously and hatred they began looking for an opportunity to kill him. One day, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were grazing the flocks. As they saw Joseph approaching in his robe, they realized this was their opportunity to kill him. When Joseph arrived, they stripped him of his robe and threw him into a dry cistern while they decided what to do with him. After some discussion, they decided not to kill him and sold him as a slave to a caravan that was on its way to Egypt instead. They took Joseph's robe and dipped it in the blood of a goat they had killed. They brought the robe to their father and told him a wild animal had killed his son.

God blessed Joseph and managed the events of his life while he was in Egypt. Joseph spent thirteen years as a slave and a prisoner in Egypt. Then one day while he was in prison, God gave Joseph the interpretation to a dream Pharaoh had. The dream had disturbed Pharaoh and he was obsessed with finding its meaning. When all of his advisors had failed to interpret the dream, Pharaoh's cup bearer told him of someone he had been in prison with who interpreted dreams. Joseph was brought to Pharaoh and correctly interpreted the dream, telling him it foretold of a seven year famine that would come to Egypt and the surrounding lands. Pharaoh was so impressed he put Joseph in charge of Egypt, second only to himself. It was all part of God's plan.

As Joseph took control of Egypt, God confirmed Pharaoh's dream telling him there would be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. For the seven years of abundance, Joseph collected all of the extra food and stored it in the cities of Egypt. After a while, there was so much grain he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. When the seven years of abundance were over, the famine began and the Egyptians began to starve. Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grain to them as well as other countries as the famine affected the entire region. It was during this time Jacob sent his sons into Egypt to buy grain. They didn't recognize their brother the first time they bought grain and Joseph tested them to see if they had changed. As he listened in on their conversation he learned they carried great shame and guilt for what they had done to him so many years earlier and it brought Joseph to tears. He decided to keep his true identity from them for the moment, but when they came to Egypt the second time to buy grain Joseph told them who he was. The brothers were terrified because they thought Joseph was going to kill them for what they had done to him twenty-one years earlier. However, Joseph had compassion on them and embraced them. The brothers had changed and, as Joseph threw his arms around them and they wept together, the family was reunited. When news of the reunion reached Pharaoh, he insisted Jacob and the rest of the Israelites should come to Egypt and dwell in the best land in Egypt. (This history of Joseph is recorded in Genesis, chapters 37 –45.)

God Frees the Israelites From Egyptian Slavery

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant

God Frees the Israelites From Egyptian Slavery

During their 400 years in Egypt, God fulfilled his covenant promises to the Israelites and blessed them. As Exodus states, "Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so the land was filled with them." (Exodus 1:6-7) Afraid of their numbers, the Egyptians forgot what Joseph had done and forced the Israelites into slavery. God heard their cries as they suffered under the harsh Egyptian rulers. He remembered his covenant with Abraham and the time came to set his people free. He chose Moses, a Levite, as the man who would confront Pharaoh and demand the freedom of the Israelites. Moses had been raised by Pharaoh's daughter but had fled Egypt after he killed an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite. While Moses was exiled in Midian, God appeared to him and told him he had been chosen to bring his people out of Egypt. When God introduced himself to Moses, he used his covenant name and called the Israelites "his people".

Exodus 3:5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. (emphasis mine)

When Moses went before Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler rejected the will of God and instead, increased the burden of the Israelites slaves. When Moses reported this to God, God reminded him who he was and told him he would use his power to fulfill his covenant promise.

Exodus 6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country." 2 God also said to Moses, "I am the LORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they lived as aliens. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

In the greatest display of power since the flood, God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians, each one more terrible than the last. The final plague was the destruction of all the first-born children of the Egyptians. Defeated, Pharaoh released the Israelites with all of their livestock and a great deal of Egyptian silver and gold (Exodus 7-12). However, a short time later Pharaoh became enraged and came after the Israelites to destroy them. As the Israelites approached the Red Sea, God parted the waters and they all crossed over on dry land. When the Egyptian army followed, God allowed the waters to flow back and drown them (Exodus 14). God had fulfilled his promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:14 and the yoke of Egyptian slavery was broken.

The Mount Sinai Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Mount Sinai Covenant

Three months later the Israelites arrived at the base of Mt. Sinai where God was waiting for them. It was here that the Israelites entered into a covenant with God referred to as "the Law" (aka the Mosaic Law and the Mt. Sinai covenant).

When they arrived, Moses ascended the mountain where the Lord called to him. Moses was to remind the people how they had seen God rescued them from slavery and tell them if they would obey him fully they would be God's treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.

Exodus 19:3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

When Moses delivered God's proposal, the elders of the people all responded together they would do everything the Lord had said. This was the first of three instances in which they were asked if they were certain they wanted to be in a covenant with God. They were then told to prepare for three days, after which God would descend on the mountain so they could see his power and hear his words. They were warned not to go up the mountain ahead of time to see God or they would be put to death (v. 12-13). They were also warned not to approach God after he descended on the mountain or he would break out and destroy them (v. 24). The Hebrew word used here for "break out" is "parats" which means to break or burst out as from an enclosure. Thus, the Israelites understood the all-powerful God had to restrain himself in the presence of their sins so he wouldn't destroy them. They had just seen him use his power to part the Red Sea and then destroy the entire Egyptian army. They had seen his power when he sent the ten plagues into Egypt. They, with their sin, were now going to be in God's very presence and they were terrified. Exodus 19:16-19 records the coming of God.

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, 19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.

In Exodus 20, God began delivering the commandments of the covenant. However, by the time he got through the first ten, the people were so terrified of God's voice they pleaded with Moses saying: "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." (v. 19). Moses explained God wanted them to be afraid so their fear would keep them from sinning (v. 20) but they were still too afraid to hear the words of God directly. So, Moses went up the mountain into the thick darkness where God continued delivering the commandments of the Law to him (Exodus 20:22 –23:33).

God gave Moses the laws, penalties and blessings of the covenant. There was a wide variety of penalties ranging from restitution to the death penalty. For example, a thief who stole a sheep had to pay back four sheep to make restitution (Exodus 22:1). A man who hit his servant and knocked out a tooth had to the let the servant go free (Exodus 21:27). Anyone who attacked his mother or father, cursed his mother or father, or kidnapped another person was put to death (Exodus 21:15-17). Practicing witchcraft, having sex with an animal, and sacrificing to a false God were examples of sins resulting in the death penalty (Exodus 22:18-20). Exodus 21:23-25 records the well-known penalty of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life. There were also curses that would fall on the Israelites as a nation for breaking the covenant. These are recorded in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.

The blessings for keeping the covenant are found in Exodus 23:20-32. God promised to oppose those who opposed his people and be an enemy to the enemies of his people. When the Israelites arrived at the Promised Land, God would be with them in battle to terrify and confuse their enemies. They would be driven out so the Israelites could possess the land. God also promised to bless their food and water, eliminate sickness, bless them with children, and give them a full life span.

When God was finished, he told Moses to return to the Israelites and tell them all the laws, punishments, and blessings God had spoken. These were the terms of the covenant they would be required to follow. They needed to fully understand these terms if they chose to proceed and enter into the covenant with God. After hearing all of the Lord's words and laws, they again responded with one voice stating, Everything the Lord has said we will do." (Exodus 24:3). That night, Moses recorded everything God had told him in the Book of the Covenant. The next day, Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain, set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel and sacrificed bulls as a fellowship offering to God. Moses took half the blood and sprinkled it on the altar and put the other half in bowls. He then read the Book of the Covenant to the people. They responded again by stating, "We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey." (v. 7) They must have understood what they were doing when they entered into this covenant. This was the third time the Israelites were presented with a choice of entering into the covenant with God and the third time they responded that they would obey the Lord. Upon hearing their final answer, Moses took the remaining blood, sprinkled it on the people and on the Book of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:19) and said "This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words." (v. 8).

Under the law there were three types of sacrifices. A trespass offering atoned for a specific sin, a sin offering atoned for the sins of a person, family, tribe, or nation, and fellowship offerings that were brought to God as a symbol of fellowship with him and to thank him for his blessings. The blood of the trespass and sin offerings did not take away the sins of the Israelites; it only covered them up. The sacrifices for sin were a symbol of the only offering that would truly result in forgiveness; the blood of Jesus. Of all the sacrifices, the fellowship offering was the most joyous. They were always done after all the sacrifices for sin were finished and marked the completion of the daily killing. This was not a somber substitute death that atoned for a sin but an offering to be eaten by the one who brought it in a meal that symbolically included God as their guest. (Edersheim, The Temple, chapter 6) The Passover lambs that were a symbol of the coming Messiah were fellowship offerings. The body of Jesus himself was described as a fellowship offering, (John 6:53-58) as well as the final offering for sin (Hebrews 9:11-14). The blood that was used to establish the Mt. Sinai covenant was from a fellowship offering (Exodus 24: 5). So, when everything was finished, Moses and seventy-three other Israelite leaders went up the mountain and ate a meal with God to celebrate their new covenant relationship (Exodus 24:9-11).

Although God had given Moses the Law, there were still many details the Israelites needed to be able to worship God in an acceptable manner. So, after Moses and the elders were finished eating and drinking with God, Moses went further up the mountain to receive more instructions. The glory of God settled on the mountain and it appeared to the Israelites like a consuming fire. Moses entered this cloud and spent forty days with God. He received detailed instructions on the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, the tabernacle and its contents, the garments the priests must wear, and the preparations the priests must undergo to enter into the presence of God and not be harmed. Moses also received instructions regarding offerings, sacrifices, and other ceremonial laws/rituals that had to be followed.

The Israelites Sin

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Sin

Meanwhile, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the Israelites were having a change of heart (Exodus 32). Even though they declared three times they would do everything the Lord had commanded, they decided to create their own god and worship it. Moses’ brother Aaron collected gold from the people and made an idol in the shape of a calf. The people worshiped it shouting, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (v. 4). Aaron also made an altar for the calf and the people rose early the next day and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the idol. Afterwards, they sat down and had a feast. Most of us are shocked over this and can't believe the Israelites would do something so offensive to God while he was just up the mountain from them. However, if we put ourselves in their place maybe we can understand their behavior.

While Moses was on the mountain, I believe the Israelites spent their days in fear. They had just agreed to be bound by a law they couldn't keep. They could be faithful for a day or a week or a month, but eventually they would sin. When they did, there was a God up on the mountain whose presence was so powerful that he caused the mountain to shake, caused the worst lightning storm they had ever seen, and appeared as a consuming fire. They had seen first hand what he could do to his enemies when he brought the ten plagues on the Egyptians. When they sinned, would they be his enemy and receive his wrath? If they sinned and weren't punished immediately, would they spend each day looking over their shoulder waiting? As their sins added up over their lifetimes, they would be an ever-increasing burden to carry and they could never be forgiven as long as they lived. Their solution was to create their own god with easier rules to follow. They could make him exactly as they wanted and he would approve of all the things that gave them pleasure but God deemed a sin. The god they made wouldn't scare them or punish them for their sins.

Back on the mountain, God was furious. Even though the covenant with Abraham made the Israelites his people, God did not want them after what they had just done. He told Moses "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt." (Exodus 32:7) He wanted to destroy them and start over, making Moses into a great nation. Moses pleaded for their lives in verse 11 by reminding God they were still his covenant people, "O Lord," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?" Moses then pleaded with God in verse 13 to remember his covenant with Abraham, "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever." I believe God wanted to destroy the Israelites and, based on what they had done. they deserved it. However, God had obligated himself to honor the covenant with Abraham (Hebrews 6:17-19) and he always keeps his word. God relented and did not destroy the Israelites. I believe this instance wasn't so much a demonstration of God's love and grace as much as it was a demonstration of his faithfulness. We can always trust him to be faithful even though we are not.

Moses returned from the mountaintop and saw the Israelites worshipping the golden calf. He became so angry he threw down the tablets of God at the foot of the mountain and they broke into pieces. He burned the calf in the fire, mixed it in water and made the Israelites drink it. He then looked around the camp and saw the people were still wild and out of control, so he called out, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." The Levites came to his side (Exodus 32:19-26). He told them to take swords and sweep through the camp killing their neighbors, friends, and brothers. Three thousand Israelites were slain that day. The next day Moses spoke to the people and told them what a terrible thing they had done and then went back up the mountain. God was still angry and declared that those who had sinned would be blotted out of his book and punished later. The Lord then delivered the first punishment of the Law striking the Israelites with a plague (v. 33-35). In Exodus 34, Moses chiseled out two more stone tablets for God to write his laws on, replacing the broken ones. The rest of Exodus gives a detailed history of how the Israelites made the items they needed to worship including the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, the priests’ garments, and the altar.

Curses for Breaking the Law

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
Curses for Breaking the Law

The book of Leviticus contains detailed instructions for the Levites on how to fulfill their priestly duties. The instructions included the various offerings, the holy days that needed to be observed, and how to control diseases. Leviticus 26:1-13 restates the blessing of the covenant.

Leviticus 26:14-45 goes into great detail regarding the national curses for breaking the covenant; especially idolatry. The purpose of the curses was to bring repentance to the Israelites and restore their relationship with God. God listed five groups of curses for breaking the covenant: each group worse than the prior one. The second group of curses would only occur if the Israelites didn't repent after the first group. The third group would come only if they didn't respond to the first two groups and so on. The curses included the following:

Group 1. "I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it." (verse 16)

Group 2. "I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit." (verses 19 & 20)

Group 3. "I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted." (verse 22)

Group 4. "I will bring the sword upon you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be given into enemy hands." (verse 25)

Group 5. "You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars and pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and I will abhor you." (verses 29 & 30)

"You will perish among the nations; the land of your enemies will devour you. Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their fathers' sins they will waste away." (verses 38 & 39)

It's extremely difficult to think about the Israelites having to eat the flesh of their children. This curse actually came to pass at the siege of Samaria by the Syrians in 722 BC (2 Kings 6:28-29), and at the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC (Lamentations 4:10). Prior to this, the Israelites, as part of worshipping false gods, had sacrificed their children by throwing them into fires (Ezekiel 20:31-31 and Ezekiel 23:36-39). These curses were terrible but they were delivered by the hand of a loving God. His purpose for these curses was not to set-up the Israelites to fail and then be destroyed. His purpose was to create repentance in his people when they sinned and motivate them to restore the covenant relationship when it had been broken. No matter what they did, the Israelites could call on God to remember his covenant and their prayers would be answered. Not because of any meritorious acts they had done, but because the mercy of God was something he promised. Leviticus 26: 42-45 speaks of the mercy the Israelites would receive when they humbled themselves and confessed their sins.

"I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord."

Notice God's promise to not destroy Israel for their sins comes from the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not from the Mt. Sinai covenant. The blessings of the covenant with Abraham would never be taken away no matter what the Israelites did. God would always be their God and they would always be his people.

One of the great things about being in a relationship with God is his willingness to immediately accept us back when we have sinned. Sometimes it seems like we have to wait a long time for God to answer our prayers for blessings. We have to be patient and trust in him who loves us. However, when we have gone into sin and want to return to him, our prayer to be reunited with him is answered instantly. He accepts us back fully without reservations. This was the case with the Israelites. When they broke the Law and worshipped false gods, they were punished by God until they repented. Once they humbled themselves and repented, God accepted them back and they received the full blessings of the covenant. The mercy and justice of God is described in Ezekiel 18.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. 21 "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. 22 None of the offences he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? 24 "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. 25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. 27 But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. 28 Because he considers all the offences he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 30 "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offences; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

The Israelites Leave Sinai and Arrive at the Promised Land

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Leave Sinai and Arrive at the Promised Land

The Israelites stayed at Mt. Sinai for about a year and then began their journey to the Promised Land. When they arrived at the border, God instructed Moses to send twelve spies, one from each of the tribes, to scout out the land and the peoples living there. After forty days the spies returned and told the Israelites how beautiful and bountiful the land was. However, all of the spies except Joshua and Caleb were afraid of the people living there. Joshua and Caleb had faith in God and knew with him on their side, they could easily take the land from its inhabitants. The remaining spies, spreading fear among the people, convinced the Israelites they would be destroyed if they tried to take the land. The people lost faith in God and despaired:

Numbers 14: 2-4, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."

Once again God became angry and was ready to destroy the Israelites. He wanted to start over by making a great nation out of Moses. Moses again interceded on their behalf and reasoned with God that all of the nations of the Promised Land had heard how he delivered the Israelites from Egypt and protected them in their journey. If God destroyed them, the nations would say "The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath; so he slaughtered them in the desert." (Numbers 14:15-16). God forgave the Israelites and not destroy them with a plague. However, because of their lack of faith, God decreed that none of them over the age of nineteen, except Joshua and Caleb, would ever enter the Promised Land. The age of nineteen was significant because God stated children that age did not know good from evil. (Deut. 1:39 "And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.") Ironically, God gave them exactly what they asked for and the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years until those who had doubted him grew old and died (v 28-30).

The Israelites Wander for Forty Years

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Wander for Forty Years

The history of this part of their journey is emotionally difficult to read. They seemed to be a stubborn and despairing people of such weak faith that they constantly sinned and suffered the curses of the covenant. God wanted them to be totally dependent on him so they could learn to trust and love him. However, the Israelites could not humble themselves to depend on God. They wanted to be in charge of their lives. David writes about God's frustration in Psalms 81:10-16:

10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. 11 "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13 "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! 15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last for ever. 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

The phrase "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it" is reminiscent of a baby bird in the nest. It is totally helpless and all it can do is open its mouth so the parent bird can put food in it. This was the true state of the Israelites then, and is the true state of mankind now. We are totally weak and helpless and dependent on God. Without his blessings, we can do nothing. With his blessings, we can be part of something great. God helps us when we fully trust in and depend on him. We have to forsake our pride and the belief that through our strength his will is carried out on earth. "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (The Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:9)

As stated above, the history of the Israelite's forty-year journey is difficult to read. Those who were over nineteen years old when they went back into the desert understood they would grow old and die there. The cloud that protected them from the desert sun also prevented them from striking out on their own. They could not survive a journey without the food, water, and the protection God provided each day. They suffered greatly for their rebellions.

In Numbers 11, the people complained about having only manna to eat. God punished them with a severe plague killing many of them.
In Numbers 14, the men responsible for frightening the people about Canaan were destroyed by a plague.
In Numbers 16, some of the Levites wanted to overthrow Moses as the leader. God opened the earth and the men as well as their families were swallowed up and destroyed. God also sent out fire that day and destroyed 250 people who had openly supported the Levites. The next day, the Israelites were angry over the deaths and threatened the lives of Moses and Aaron. God, angry with them, sent a plague to destroy them and they started dropping dead in their tracks. Moses and Aaron intervened and stopped the plague but not before 14,700 of the Israelites were killed.
In Numbers 21, the people grew impatient and told Moses they were better off in Egypt. In response, God sent poisonous snakes into them and many were bitten and died.
In Numbers 25, many of the Israelite men went into a nearby city and indulged in sex with Moabite and Midianite women who also enticed them to worship their false gods. God directed Moses to order their execution and, at the same time, sent a plague into the rebellious Israelites. When an Israelite brazenly brought a Midianite woman into his tent in front of Moses and the whole assemble, a Levite followed them and drove a spear through him and the woman as they lay together. The execution stopped the plague, but not before 24,000 of the Israelites had died. In Numbers 31, God took vengeance on the Midianites and told Moses to destroy them. Twelve thousand Israelites killed every Midianite man and boy along with any women who had sex with an Israelite.

After reading these passages we can understand two New Testament verses with crystal clarity. The first is Galatians 3:10: "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." The second passage is Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,”

The Israelites Arrive at the Promised Land Again

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Arrive at the Promised Land Again

After forty years in the desert, the Israelites stood across the Jordan River looking at the Promised Land. All of the people who were over nineteen years old the last time they were here were dead except for Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. This was a time of remembrance and renewal for them and, as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses recited the history of their journey from the time they left Egypt. They had a chance to think about the mistakes they made and the times they rebelled against God or lost faith in him. Moses also restated the Law; the terms of the covenant they had entered into with God back at Mt. Sinai. This included a number of additional laws that had been added over the forty years.

Examples of additional commands added to the prohibition of worshiping idols include:

Leviticus 18:21 Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 Let no-one sacrifice his child in the fire, practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, cast spells, is a medium or spiritist, or consult the dead.

Two of the commands added after Mt. Sinai were defined by Jesus as the two greatest:

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

The command to love the Lord your God is first found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The command to Love your neighbor is first found in Leviticus 19:18.

When Moses was finished, he wrote a copy of the updated version of the Law and gave it to the priests to place in the ark for safekeeping. (Deuteronomy 31:24-26) At this point the Law was complete and would not be modified by God again.

God makes a final plea for His people to stay faithful in chapter 30:15-20:

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Today, God wants us to choose life. We do not have the same covenant as the Israelites did. Unlike the Israelites who chose between a physical life and death, we choose between eternal life and death. Under the new covenant, justice will take place on the Day of Judgment when all mankind will stand at the judgment throne of Christ. This makes it easier to postpone making a decision because the consequences of rejecting the new covenant don't happen to us in our lifetime. However, God keeps all of his promises including the promise to dispense justice. The same God who punished with snakes, fire, and plagues will destroy the eternal souls of those who reject God and Christ.

A Comparison of Abraham's Covenant and the Law

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
A Comparison of Abraham's Covenant and the Law

As a final note, it is worthwhile to compare the covenant of Abraham with the Mt. Sinai covenant.

Under the covenant with Abraham, the blood, through circumcision, came from the bodies of the Israelites and was a symbol of uniting them in a covenant relationship with God. The Israelites at Mt. Sinai had been circumcised when they were eight days old and were already part of the eternal covenant God made with Abraham. Having done this, their life was joined with God's and they were His people and He was their God. The covenant God made with Abraham was one-sided and did not include punishments or curses. Once the Israelites were circumcised they were in the covenant and nothing they could do would result in the loss of its blessings. However, the covenant of Law God made with the Israelites on Mt. Sinai was two-sided. The blessings were dependent on the obedience of the Israelites. If they broke the law they were punished; if they broke it as a nation, they were cursed. If you recall, the blessings of the covenant with Abraham included:

The covenant will be everlasting between God and Abraham's descendants. (Genesis 17:7)
God will be the God of Abraham and the God of his descendants and they will be his people. (Genesis 17: 7-8)
Abraham would be the father of many nations and kings would come from him. (Genesis 17:4-6)
All nations on earth would be blessed through the offspring of Isaac. (Genesis 26:2-5)
A time would come when God's people would be able to serve Him in a new way without fear, in holiness and righteousness and know salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. (Luke 17:67-79)
God was their shield. They were protected by God. (Genesis 15:13-14)
The descendants of Abraham would inherit the land of Canaan. (Genesis 15:18-21 & 17:8)

The blessings of the Mt. Sinai covenant included:

They were protected by God. Their enemies became God's enemies and he would destroy those who opposed them. (Exodus 23:22-25)
They would inherit the land of Canaan. (Exodus 23:27-31)
They would be healthy and have a full life span. (Exodus 23:25-26)
None would be barren or miscarry. They would be blessed with children. (Exodus 23:26)
They would be wealthy. (Deuteronomy 28:3-13)

Notice the last two blessings from Abraham's covenant are also blessings of the Mt. Sinai covenant. This meant those blessings became dependent on the Israelite's obedience to the Law. The rest of the blessings of Abraham's covenant were not included in the Law and could not be taken away as a result of what the Israelites did; good or bad. Also, note that forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation are not part of the Mt. Sinai covenant just as they were not part of the covenant with Abraham. Following the law did not save their souls and failing to follow the law did not condemn them. Finally, notice this covenant was not eternal. Later, we will see how it ended when the New Testament covenant was established.

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
General Information

CH 6: General Information

This chapter covers 1,500 years of history from the time the Israelites entered the land of Canaan to the birth of Christ. After Joshua died, the Israelites were ruled for 400 years by a series of twelve judges. Next, they were ruled by three kings, Saul, David and Solomon. After the death of Solomon, the Israelite kingdom split with ten of the twelve tribes forming the Nation of Israel in the north and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin forming the Nation of Judah in the south.

The two kingdoms were never able to remain faithful to the Mt. Sinai covenant. Due to their worship of idols and other sins both kingdoms were conquered; Israel in 722 B.C. and Judah in 586 B.C. The ten tribes of Israel never returned to their lands. The people of Judah, after 70 years in captivity, were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple and city. During the last 580 years before Christ, Judah was mostly ruled by other nations. During this time we see God putting structures in place such as synagogues and a Greek translation of the Old Testament, to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus and the New Testament covenant of Christ.

Chapter 6 Sections Include:

The Death of Moses and the Israelites Begin to Conquer Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Death of Moses and the Israelites Begin to Conquer Canaan

Sadly, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of a sin he had committed earlier. However, as the Israelites stood on the banks of the Jordan River and prepared to enter Canaan, he climbed a nearby mountain so God could show him the land of the covenant he had promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses who was one hundred and twenty years old, died there and Israel mourned him for thirty days. His epitaph is recorded in Deuteronomy 34:10-12:

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Before his death, Moses asked God to appoint a strong and faithful man to succeed him as the leader of the Israelites. Joshua, who along with Caleb had been one of the two spies who had entered Canaan and believed it could be conquered, was chosen by God to lead Israel (Numbers 27:15-23). Since all of the Israelites, except for Joshua and Caleb, who were over the age of nineteen had died during the forty years in the wilderness, Joshua was the oldest living Israelite when he led the people into Canaan (Numbers 14). He was a man of great faith who was filled with the spirit of wisdom. The Israelites listened to him and obeyed the commands of God. Under Joshua's leadership, God gave the Israelites victories in all of their battles and they quickly took possession of the major areas of Canaan.

This must have been exciting times for the Israelites as they witnessed the power of God being used on their behalf as he fulfilled the covenant promises he had made to Abraham and their fathers. The descendants of Abraham had grown rapidly into a great nation while in Egypt. Now the people, with God's help, were inheriting the Promised Land. This was a time when the faith of the Israelites and their trust in God was strengthened as Joshua led them in keeping the Law (the Mt. Sinai covenant). They understood if they were faithful to the Law, God would faithfully fulfill his covenant obligations and bless them.

To help them stay focused and faithful, the Ark of the Covenant went everywhere with the Israelites. In the book of Joshua, chapters three and four, the Jordan River stopped flowing when the feet of the priests carrying the Ark touched the water and the Israelites passed across on dry land into the Promised Land. In Joshua, chapter six, the priests carried the Ark around the city of Jericho for seven days. After the last circle, the priests blew a trumpet blast, the Israelites shouted, and the walls of the city fell down. (See also 1 Samuel 4) The Israelites conquered cities in the Promised Land with vastly superior armies. All because they were God's people and he was their God. This part of Israel's history is recorded in the book of Joshua, chapters one through 22.

When Joshua was near the end of his life, he called the leaders of the twelve tribes and encouraged them to keep the Law. He understood the covenant relationship and the importance of the Israelites remaining faithful to it in order to receive God's protection and blessings. He also understood the horrors that would come upon his people if they broke the covenant and received God's punishments.

Joshua 23:6 "Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. 7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now. 9 The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no-one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God. 12 But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, 13 then you may be sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the LORD your God has given you. 14 Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. 15 But just as every good promise of the LORD your God has come true, so the LORD will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 16 If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD's anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you."

A little later, Joshua again assembles the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel. After a brief review of their relationship with God he gives them a final challenge before he dies (chapter 24):

"14 Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

The Israelites Become Unfaithful

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Israelites Become Unfaithful

The Israelites remained faithful to the covenant throughout the life of Joshua and during the next generation. However, the third generation grew up without knowing God or what he had done for Israel. When they begin worshipping false gods, God became angry and removed his protection over them. He also decreed the Israelites would not posses the remaining Canaanite lands.

Judges 2:20 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died.”

This period of Israel's history is recorded in the book of Judges. The twelve tribes were ruled by a series twelve judges who were appointed by God. The judges of Israel were people of great faith and are the heroes in many of the bible stories read today such as the accounts of Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. During this time the Israelites fell into a pattern of obedience and rebellion. During times of obedience to the Law they lived in peace and received the blessing of the covenant. They would remain faithful for the lifetime of the judge, but when the judge died they would return to worshipping idols. When they forgot God and worshipped idols, he removed his protection and they would be conquered by a neighboring kingdom and live in slavery. In their cursed state, they would repent and cry out to God and, faithful to the covenant, he would send another judge to rescue them. This time in Israel's history lasted approximately 400 years. About 300 of those years, the Israelites were faithful to God and received the blessings of the covenant. About 100 of those years, the Israelites were unfaithful to the covenant and were conquered and ruled by their enemies.

The Time of Kings

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
A Time of Kings

After the 12th judge died, the Israelites demanded a king to rule over them. The first king, Saul, was disobedient to God and God rejected him. The next king, David, was a man after God's own heart and one of Israel's greatest leaders. Although he made mistakes, his faith and trust in God was strong and God blessed him. David consolidated the tribes of Israel under his rule and then expanded the kingdom by defeating the Philistines and other surrounding kingdoms. He established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and brought the Ark of the Covenant there. With God's blessing, David planned to build a temple to provide a home for the Ark and serve as the spiritual center of Israel. He also wrote at least seventy-three of the one hundred fifty Psalms including the 23rd Psalm. Before his death, David appointed his son, Solomon, as the next king over Israel. In his final words, David encouraged Solomon to remain faithful to the covenant.

1 Kings 2:2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go …”

The construction of the temple was the greatest accomplishment of Solomon's reign. It became the spiritual center of the Israelites and provided a home for the Ark of the Covenant in a special room called the Most Holy Place. All the animal and first-fruit sacrifices specified by the Law were bought to the temple to be offered to God. In the dedication of the new temple, King Solomon and the Israelites sacrificed so many fellowship offerings of sheep and cattle, they could not be counted (1 Kings 8).

King Solomon's prayer of dedication included praise for God keeping his promises contained in the covenant. Solomon understood his father, David, had been a successful king because he loved God and submitted himself to the Law. His requests to God for his reign were also based on the covenant promises.

1 Kings 8:23 "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.”

The Kingdom Splits

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Kingdom Splits

Sadly, Solomon did not remain faithful to the covenant. Against God's commands, he married hundreds of foreign wives who persuaded him to build places of worship for their false gods and join them in their pagan rituals. God became angry with him for breaking the covenant (1 Kings 11:11) and decided to divide the kingdom during the reign of his son, Rehoboam. In 930 B.C, during Rehoboam's first year as king, ten of the tribes broke away from the kingdom and established a northern kingdom with Jeroboam, the son of one of Solomon's officials, as their king.

Israel

Jeroboam was an evil man and led the ten tribes, then called Israel, into terrible sins. The evil practices were continued by his successors for the next 258 years. God had patience with them and sent prophets to turn them from their evil, but they did not repent (2 Kings 17:13). They worshipped idols they had made along with Baal and Asherah, the goddess of fertility. They worshipped the stars, practiced divination, and sacrificed their sons and daughters to false gods by throwing them into fire (2 Kings 17:16-17). When they refused to repent, God, in 722 B.C., allowed Assyria to conquer and enslave them (2 Kings 17:18-23). When the Assyrians conquered a kingdom they would relocate a large number of it's people to other areas and, at the same time, bring in people from parts of the empire. As a result, Israel intermarried with these other races and eventually lost their identity as the ten tribes of Israel. (Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Time of Jesus The Messiah, Chapter 1) However, even though Israel suffered the curses of the Law, they still had the unconditional promise of Abraham's covenant that they would always be God's people. Because of that promise, God could not reject them permanently. We see this during an earlier time when Hazael, the Assyrian king, had overrun Israel and taken many of its cities. (2 Kings 13:22-23)

22 Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz. 23 But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence.

When the Gospel was being introduced in the early days of the Church, the Samaritans were the first group to receive it after the persecution in Jerusalem scattered the Church into other countries (Acts 8). God was giving a remnant of Israel a chance to reestablish a relationship with him under the New Testament covenant. Romans, chapter 11 describes God's grace and extraordinary faithfulness toward the Israelites.

1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? 4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Judah

The two remaining tribes, Judah and Benjamin, became know as the Jews and also fell into idolatry. From David to Zedekiah, the last king before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, there were 21 kings and one queen. The queen was Athaliah, the daughter of king Ahab of Israel. She was evil and came close to killing all the descendants of David before she was executed six years into her reign. (Her story is found in 2 Kings 11) The 21 kings were direct descendants of David. Some, like Solomon, started out faithful to God but were tempted and fell into idolatry. Some, like Manasseh, began doing evil things. Besides leading Judah into idolatry, he killed those who remained faithful to God (2 Kings 21:16) and even offered his sons as sacrifices. Jewish tradition states he killed the prophet Isaiah by sawing him in two (Zondervan Bible Dictionary). However, Manasseh later repented and was faithful to God. He destroyed many of the temples of false gods and urged the people to return to the covenant. (2 Chronicles 33:10-20) Based on their heart at the end of their lives, only 8 of David's 21 descendants were faithful to God. For the most part, the people of Judah followed their kings into idolatry.

All this evil sealed their fate when God said enough was enough and decided to let them be taken into slavery. However one man, Josiah, was able to postpone their punishment. Josiah was eight years old when he became king over Judah following the assassination of his father, Amon, who had worshipped false gods. Josiah had faith in God and followed the ways of David. When he was twenty-six years old, he decided the temple should be restored. It had fallen into disrepair since the Jews had not worshipped God for many years. While they were working on the temple, Hilkiah, the high priest, found the Book of the Covenant. The book was read to Josiah and for the first time in his life, he heard the Mt. Sinai covenant. It was a terrible wake-up call and Josiah was terrified. He tore his clothes in repentance and ordered Hilkiah to ask a prophetess, Huldah, God's attitude toward Judah because of their disobedience. God's answer confirmed their worst fears. Because of their years of sin, God cursed the Jews and planned to destroy Jerusalem. However, because Josiah had repented, God would postpone the punishment until after his death. (2 Kings 22)

Nevertheless, Josiah went to the temple and read the Book of the Covenant to the people. He renewed the covenant and all the people pledged themselves to follow it. He then went throughout Judea and destroyed all of the altars and high places where false gods were worshiped starting with those set up in the temple of God in Jerusalem. Josiah slaughtered the priests of the false gods and eradicate all of the mediums, wizards, and temple prostitutes (2 Kings 23).

The Jews Become Slaves

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Jews Become Slaves

Josiah was killed in battle shortly after he renewed the covenant. His son succeeded him and led Judah back into idolatry. Judah became a vassal of Babylon in 605 BC. At that time, Nebuchadnezzar brought certain members of Judah's nobility including Daniel the prophet to Babylon. In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar relocated the king, 3,000 princes, 7,000 fighting men, and 1,000 artisans to Babylon (2 Kings 24:14-16). The Jews from these first two captivities were treated fairly well in Babylon and were allowed to open businesses, build houses, own servants, and even hold positions in the government (i.e. Daniel & Nehemiah). Eight years later, the remaining Jews in Jerusalem rebelled and Nebuchadnezzar responded by destroying Jerusalem and the temple and taking the survivors into Babylon as slaves in 586 BC. The Babylonians, who had already conquered the Assyrians in 621 BC were now rulers over a large empire including all of the lands and people that had once been the nation of Israel. The war is recorded in 2 Chronicles 36:

11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years. 12 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. 13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath in God's name. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel. 14 Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. 15 The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling-place. 16 But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. 17 He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. 18 He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the Lord's temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there. 20 He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.

The Babylonian captivity lasted seventy years and resulted in the Jews coming to their senses. They desired to reestablish their relationship with God and repented of their sins. Although it would have been easy for the Jews to give themselves over to the worship of the false gods of the Babylonians, they demonstrated great courage and refused to worship any idol or person even though it meant their execution. In Daniel, chapter 3, the king of Babylon built a ninety foot golden idol and ordered the people to worship it. Three Jews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused and were thrown into a fiery furnace. In Daniel, chapter 6, the king issued an order that anyone who prayed to any god or person during a thirty-day period would be killed. Daniel was caught praying to his God and was thrown into a den of lions. In both instances God miraculously rescued these brave men. It was during this captivity that synagogues were created as a place for the Israelites to worship since worshipping at the temple was not possible. By the time of Christ, the Israelites had settled in every city that was controlled by Rome and had established synagogues. These were the synagogues Paul would later visit when he was spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.

The End of Jewish Captivity and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The End of Jewish Captivity and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

The prophet Daniel understood the covenants of God and also understood prophecy. So, when the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29) prophesied that the Jews would return from Babylonian captivity after seventy years, Daniel prayed to God the prophesy would be fulfilled. The prayer is recorded in Daniel, chapter 9. Daniel began by praising God.

"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands”(verse 4).

Next, Daniel confessed the sins Israel had committed and acknowledged the curses they had received were the result of a righteous God who kept his word.

"You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him" (verses12-14).

Daniel then asked God to lift the curse and restore Jerusalem. His petition was not based on any merit the Jews had established through their actions; it was based on the covenant promises and the faithfulness of God.

"We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." (verses 18-19)

The Jews didn't deserve it, but, because of the covenant, God answered Daniel's prayer. He always keeps his promise.

The prayer was answered when the Persian king, Cyrus, conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and liberated the enslaved populations that were held captive. The return of the Jews from captivity is recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah. The first Jews, numbering about 50,000, returned to the city in 536 B.C. The temple was rebuilt and the sacrifices were resumed in 515 B.C. In 458 B.C. the priest and scribe Ezra moved to Jerusalem and taught the people the Law and restored their relationship to God through obedience to the covenant (Ezra 7:10 and Nehemiah 8).

A Jew named Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of Persia when he received news that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the city and newly built temple were defenseless. Nehemiah was greatly distressed over the danger and disgrace of his people in Jerusalem and he went into mourning. For several days, he wept, fasted, and prayed to God for his people. His prayer, like Daniel's, was powerful because he fully understood the covenant and what God's oath to keep his promise meant. Let's look at this great prayer recorded in Nehemiah, chapter 1.

Nehemiah began with praising God for keeping his covenant of love for those who obey him.

5 "O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.“

Next, starting with verse 6, he took it on himself to repent for the sins of Israel. To do this, Nehemiah referred to Deuteronomy 30:1-10, which recorded the blessings and curses of the covenant and were a last reminder from God before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. After God explained the curses for breaking the Law, he told them he would always welcome them back and restore their blessings when they repented of their sins and turned their hearts back to him. Nehemiah was stating the Israelites had repented was asking for God to accept and bless them.

6 I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 8 Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, "If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name." 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.

"This man" was Artaxerxes, the king of Persia and Nehemiah, his cupbearer, was going to ask his permission to leave his service to go to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls. God granted Nehemiah's request and was with him when he talked to the king. The king not only granted Nehemiah permission to go to Jerusalem, he also allowed him to take enough timber from his forest to rebuild the walls. This is a great example of the covenant of God in action. When the construction of the temple and city walls around Jerusalem were completed, the Persian king allowed the Jews to travel to Jerusalem and worship God.

The curses of the covenant were lifted and the Jews never fell into the worship of idols again. Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, was written four hundred years before the birth of Christ. Like all the prophets before him, Malachi pleaded with the Jews to be faithful to the Law and warned them of a great and dreadful day when the Lord would come and destroy those who were disobedient.

The Events Between the Old and New Testaments

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Events Between the Old and New Testaments

The Jews who chose to return to Jerusalem were only a small fraction of the total population of the Jews in Babylon. The wealthiest and most powerful of the Jews, mostly from the first two groups taken to Babylon, chose to remain behind. Over the last 600 years before the destruction of Jerusalem, a strong bond formed between the Jews in Babylon and Jerusalem ("The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah" Edersheim, Chapter 1). Both cities were great centers of Jewish scholarship and, after Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Jews in Babylon enabled the Jewish religion to continue. Babylon was the center of Judaism for centuries and, by the sixth century A.D., the Babylonian Talmud developed greater significance for Judaism than the Palestinian one. (Jewish web site)

During their captivity the Jews had forgotten Hebrew and spoke Aramaic. The use of Hebrew became limited to scholars, the synagogue, and the temple. A Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint, was completed around 250 BC. The incorporation of Aramaic and Greek as a result of the Jewish dispersion can be seen in the notice fastened to the cross. The words "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek (John 19:20). Aramaic was the common language in Jerusalem, Latin was the official language of Rome, and Greek was the common language of the Roman Empire.

By the time of Christ there were an estimated four and a half million Jews worldwide. (James Orr, "The Dispersion" International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - web site). They had settled in every kingdom of the known world. The Septuagint became widely used in the synagogues and enabled the first-century Christian evangelists to win many converts to Christ by using it to prove Jesus was the Messiah (Zondervan Bible Dictionary, see also Acts 18:28). Thus, the dispersion provided a foothold in virtually every city in the world to start a Christian church.

One of the most significant developments during this time was the emergence of the scribes as the spiritual leaders of Judah. Prior to Ezra, the scribes had been mostly public writers, copiers of the Law, and governmental secretaries (i.e. Shaphan, Josiah's secretary, 2 Kings, 22:3). Ezra and his fellow priests wanted to teach the Jews about the Law to help them maintain a close relationship with the Lord and thus prevent another national curse. I believe if Christ were born during that time, he would have been warmly received as the promised Messiah. The teaching of Ezra and his successors attracted many devout Israelites who had a passion for learning the Law. If it were within their power, Judah would never again worship idols and receive the curses of the Law. Since the Jews no longer spoke or read Hebrew, they relied on the scribes to read and explain the Law for them. The scribes had disagreements over how the Law should be understood and applied to their daily lives, and over time three distinct groups formed around these doctrines. These were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes and each group had members from all twelve of the Israelite tribes. The Sadducees were mostly a sect of priests and the wealthy. The smallest group, the Essenes, isolated themselves so they could be fully devoted to obeying the Law. A community of Essenes lived in the Qumran monastery located on the North shore of the Dead Sea. This area came into the spotlight when archaeologists found the Dead Sea scrolls there.

The Pharisees, the largest of the three sects, were made up of rigid and legalistic members. The Law had remained unchanged for 900 years, however this new group added to it by developing extensive rules for living that Jesus described as putting heavy loads on men's shoulders (Matthew 23:4). Christ criticized them as being arrogant, hypocritical, and without love and pronounced seven woes on them in Matthew 23. They became obsessed with obeying every detail of the Law and fell into the trap of equating this with righteousness. They were arrogant and full of self-righteousness forgetting the main goal of the Law was to love the Lord. In 200 BC, the Jews were ruled by the Greek/Seleucid Empire. During this time the Sadducees, comprised of wealthy Jews and Levitical priests, were seduced into worshipping Greek gods and even went so far as to worship an idol of Zeus that was set up in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews rebelled and won their freedom in 168 BC. The credibility of the priests had been damaged and the Pharisees gained a preeminent role as spiritual leaders of the Jews. By the time of Christ, the Sadducees controlled the Temple and the Pharisees controlled the Synagogues. These two groups were the recognized authority in matters of the Law and made up the seventy-one members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court that tried Jesus and sentenced him to death.

By the time Christ came into the world, the Sadducees and Pharisees had changed the emphasis of the Law so much they rejected Jesus. The Sadducees were concerned with maintaining their wealth and power. They were afraid of Christ because he might spark a rebellion against the Romans (Rome had taken over Judah in 63 B.C.). The Pharisees had become so obsessed with the rules of the Law they forgot what it was for. They tried to obtain righteousness by obeying the Law and lost sight of the fact that righteousness only came from loving God and having faith in him. It's ironic this principle was included in the scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21) the Pharisees wore in little leather boxes on their forehead and arm called phylacteries. It's possible that the Pharisees who condemned Jesus to death were wearing their phylacteries at the time that contained the passage, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:5).

As you can see, the Old Testament is appropriately named for the covenants of Abraham and Mt. Sinai. It's primarily a history of the covenant relationships between God and his chosen people. The books of history, Genesis through Ester, record the events surrounding the covenant God made with Abraham, the birth of Isaac, Jacob and his twelve sons who became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. God's people went into Egypt where God fulfilled his promise to Abraham and the population of the Israelites grew tremendously. They later became slaves of the Egyptians but God freed them and led them to Mt. Sinai where they entered into the Mt. Sinai covenant and were given the Law. The rest of the Old Testament history records how Israel struggled to keep the Law.

This history is a great blessing for us today. We can study the complete history of the Law from beginning to end. We can view this dispensation of time with perfect 20-20 hindsight and think about how we would have done things differently. We also see the extreme patience and love of God towards his people and how he was intimately involved in their lives. In the end, the Mt. Sinai covenant was a curse for the Israelites who could never humble themselves and live faithfully in obedience to God for more than a few generations at a time.

The books of prophecy in the Old Testament record how God pleaded with Israel through his prophets to stay faithful to the Law. However, the prophets also wrote about the Messiah and the new covenant God would make with Israel. The perfect covenant of Jesus would save them from the curse of the Law. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about this covenant in Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31-34.

31 "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. 33 "This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Under this new covenant, God's people wouldn't have to keep his word in little boxes on their forehead and arm because he would write them in their minds and hearts. For the first time since creation, God's people would live under a covenant where their sins were forgiven.

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ
General Information

CH 7: General Information

This chapter covers the New Testament covenant. This is a blood covenant formed by Jesus offering his life as a sacrifice for our sins. He died, rose from the dead on the third day and went into Heave to offer His blood on the altar there. This chapter provides details for entering into the covenant. It also defines why this is a spiritual covenant with a spiritual kingdom, spiritual membership and those in the covenant are spiritual children of God and Christ. This is the last covenant God will make with mankind and will end when Jesus comes to call His children home to Heaven.

Chapter 7 Sections Include:

The scriptures we have looked at so far emphasize how important covenants are to God and his people. They define the nature and substance of his relationship with his people by guaranteeing what he will do for them and what they must do in return.

Jesus came to earth to establish the New Testament covenant that saves mankind from their sins. He called the blood he shed "my blood of the covenant" when he instituted the Lord's Supper on the night he was betrayed. When he blessed the cup, He said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Mathew 26:28) We are to remember this sacrifice and what it means to us every time we partake of the Lord's Supper.

The New Testament covenant of Christ came out of the everlasting covenant God made with Abraham. As with the original covenant, it does not include great wealth, health or long lives. Those blessings, which were part of the Mt. Sinai covenant, ended when that covenant ended. The New Testament covenant blessings include being God's chosen people; He is our God and we are His children. He protects us from our enemy; the devil, who seeks to destroy our eternal soul (Ephesians 6:10-18), and the greatest blessing of all; we are forgiven of our sins. We also receive a full share of the inheritance waiting for his children in Heaven.

Whereas the Old Testament covenants focused on the earthly lives of God's people, the covenant of Christ focuses on our spiritual lives. We live in the spiritual kingdom of Christ where He is given all authority; not a physical kingdom like the Israelites in the Old Testament (Matthew 28:18). When we enter the covenant, the Spirit of Christ comes into us and unites us with God and Jesus. By this spiritual birth we are born again as a descendant of Christ. As with Abraham's covenant and the Mt. Sinai covenant, the covenant of Christ defines who God's people are. If you are not in this covenant you are not one of God's people and he is not "your God", and you do not have any of the blessings of the covenant including the forgiveness of your sins.

The greatest and most needed blessing of the New Testament covenant of Christ is the forgiveness of our sins. Since the creation, God's universal law of right and wrong defined both sin and righteousness. Under this law, sin is punishable by eternal death regardless of how much good a person does. If they have one unforgiven sin, they are condemned to eternal death. Consider the following two scriptures:

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a law-breaker.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

From the time of the first sin by Adam and Eve, mankind had been looking forward to the time when their sins could be forgiven; when God would fulfill His promise to Eve that her descendent (Jesus) would crush the head of Satan. (Genesis 3:15) With our sins forgiven, we are freed from the condemnation of eternal death.

The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenant of Christ

Unlike the Mt. Sinai covenant, the covenant of Jesus is very short and simple. The new covenant is stated in Hebrews 8.

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. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.8 But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and ageing will soon disappear.

We live in a time when we know right and wrong as defined by God's law of good and evil. We also know God is real and alive and He is the creator of all things. This doesn't mean we can't harden our heart against God and reject the truth that is within us. God created us with the ability to choose who we serve; Jesus (our mind and spirit) or Satan (our flesh). Romans 6:13 states, "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness". Having faith in and serving Jesus has always been our choice to make.

We can also reject the salvation offered by Jesus. The bible warns us about the consequences of this choice.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

We are blessed to live in the age of the new covenant. With our sins forgiven by the blood of Christ, we can live in a close relationship with God and Jesus. We can dedicate our lives serving them in the highest and most holy of all causes; sharing the Gospel of Christ and doing our part in saving the souls of the people around us.

We Enter the New Testament Covenant Through Baptism

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

We Enter the New Testament Covenant Through Baptism

So how do we enter the covenant of Jesus? We enter by being baptized. Entrance into the covenant of Abraham was very straightforward. If you were circumcised you were in, if you were uncircumcised you were not. This can be seen today in the term for Jewish circumcision: "Bris Milah". The word Bris means covenant and the word Milah means to cut.[1] During the ritual, as prescribed by the Torah, the father of the infant recites the following blessing after the circumcision is performed. "Praised by Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by Thy commandments, and hast bidden us to make him enter into the covenant of Abraham our father." Those in attendance then say: "As he has entered into the covenant, so may he be introduced to the study of the Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good deeds."[2]

The New Testaments uses circumcision, the entrance into the covenant of Abraham, to define baptism as the entrance into the covenant of Christ.

Colossians 2:11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.

By calling baptism a spiritual circumcision (not done with hands), this passage tells us we are in the covenant of Christ if we are baptized and we are excluded from this covenant if we are not.[3] When Abraham was circumcised, the blood that flowed from the wound united him with God. This rite continued throughout his descendants until Jesus came to earth. When he offered his life for our sins, the blood of the covenant that flowed from his wound established an everlasting blood covenant uniting his descendants with God. He was buried and raised back to life by that blood and then brought it into the temple in Heaven to pour on the altar as payment for our sins thus completing the events that established the new covenant.[4] The covenant of Abraham was physical and the entrance into it was a physical circumcision. When an Israelite was circumcised and the blood flowed out of the wound, he was united with God in a blood covenant as one of his people. Just as the descendants of Abraham repeated his circumcision as an entrance into his covenant with God, we must repeat the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that established the new covenant to enter into it. The covenant of Christ is spiritual and the entrance into it is a spiritual circumcision. When we are baptized into Christ, we are united with him in a spiritual covenant relationship as one of God's people.

Romans, chapter 6, has a more detailed description of how our baptism is a spiritual form of participating in His death, burial and resurrection:

Romans 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

[1] www.torahview.com/bris

[2] www.judiasm.about.com

[3] Further evidence regarding the relationship between circumcision, baptism and entrance into the covenant can be seen in Jewish history. Hellenistic Jews admitted proselytes after they were baptized and did not require them to be circumcised. www.jewishencyclopedia.com/circumcision

[4] Hebrews 13:20-21 and Hebrews 8 and 9

When We Enter the Covenant of Christ We Are Born Again

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

When We Enter the Covenant of Christ We Are Born Again

When Romans 6:3 states that we are baptized into the death of Christ, it defines baptism as the act that unites us with Christ.[1] When we enter the covenant of Christ, the death we experience in baptism is a death to sin. Christians still sin after they enter the covenant, but the forgiveness of those sins is one of the covenant blessings. The being that could have been eternally destroyed by sin has ceased to exist because we have become born again and are freed from the condemnation of sin.

When we are raised from the water of baptism, we are born again into a new life as a child of God. The term "born again Christian" became very popular in the later part of the last century. It comes from John 3:3-8 where Jesus stated that no one could see the kingdom of God unless he was born again. When questioned about this statement, Jesus explained that we must be born of water and the Spirit. The birth of water refers to our natural birth. The birth of the spirit is our second birth and it occurs when we are raised from the water of baptism to live a new life as described by Romans 6:4.

[1] See John 17:20-23 as an example of the phrase “I in them ” being used to mean united.

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

However, being born of the spirit is much more than baptism alone. 1 Peter 1:23 states, "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." The imperishable seed is the eternal spirit of Christ that dwells in us and unites us with him. Being born of the spirit occurs when the spirit of Christ enters into us at baptism.

The indwelling of Christ's Spirit is a promise God made to us. On the first day of the New Testament Church, Peter was preaching to the Jews who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. He convinced them that Jesus, whose crucifixion they had been responsible for 50 days earlier, was the Son of God; the promised Messiah. When they realized they had committed possibly the worst sin in the history of mankind, killing the Son of God, they were terrified. There weren't enough sheep, goats, and bulls on the planet to atone for this sin. I believe they thought they were damned for all eternity:

Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We can see from this account of the first gospel sermon, the blood of Christ is so powerful, it was even able to forgive the killing of Jesus. Not only did repentance and baptism result in the forgiveness of this terrible sin, but they also received the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit plays an important role in our salvation. Titus 3:5-7 makes a similar statement to Acts 2:38:

Titus 3: 5 … he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

The washing of rebirth that saves us is our baptism. Some might think this washing refers to the cleansing of our sins and is independent of baptism. However, the word "washing" comes from the Greek word "loutron". It does not mean the cleansing that comes from a bath, but rather the bath, or baptism, itself. This passage also states the renewal by the Holy Spirit also saves us and it is poured out on us making us the heirs of Christ who have the hope of eternal life.

To summarize the passages on being born again, the second birth of the Spirit Jesus talked about in John 3 is required for us to see Heaven and it only happens once. Various New Testament passages describe it in different ways. Romans 6 describes it as being resurrected to a new life. 1 Peter 1 describes it as being born of imperishable seed. Acts 2 describes it as receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism. Titus describes it as a renewal that saves us. However, there is only one spiritual birth we must go through to enter the new covenant and all of these passages refer that same event.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes us the children of God in a spiritual family

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation? Earlier we looked at the work of H. Trumbull who described the substance of blood covenants as the intermingling of blood that resulted in forming one blood, one life, one nature, and one soul from two persons.

Just as the blood of two people intermingled to join them in a blood covenant relationship, the Spirit of Christ [1] unites with our spirit so uniting is with Christ. His Spirit unites with ours in a spiritual covenant relationship and we become a child of God. As stated earlier, the descendants of Abraham were his physical seed because they had his blood in their veins. We are the spiritual seed of God because we have the Spirit of Christ in us. God is not only our God he is also our father. We are not only his people we are his children and his heirs. These principles are clearly stated in Romans 8: 8 –17.

Romans 8:8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

The book of Galatians was written to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia. The gentile Christians were being taught by false teachers that they needed to obey the Mt. Sinai Law to be saved. Paul corrected this erroneous teaching by explaining that everyone who relied on observing the Mt. Sinai Law was under a curse since no one except Christ had successfully obeyed it's commands. In chapter 3:2, he asks "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?"[2] Paul was stating that the Spirit is received when we obey the gospel through the grace of God. It is not received by any human effort; especially the works of the Law. Forgiveness and salvation were never part of the Law. Paul taught that the covenant of Abraham was much more important than the Law because it contained the promise of salvation through Christ. Paul goes on in verse 16 to explain the covenant promises made to Abraham were also made to his seed meaning Christ. These promises were not affected by the Mt. Sinai covenant introduced 430 later because the promises were never based on obedience to the Law; they were based on faith. Let's look at this passage beginning with verse 26, which states we are sons of God because we have baptized into Christ:

Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 4:1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

We have already looked at how the phrase "baptized into Christ" means we have been united with Christ in a spiritual covenant relationship. The phrase "clothed with Christ" means that when we are united with him, we put on his character making our appearance like his. We are no longer identified as a male or female, Jew or Gentile, slave or free person; we are identified as Christ's. The new covenant has changed how God's chosen people are defined.

[1] The Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of Christ” in Romans 8:9. However, these as well as the “Spirit of God” and many other names all refer to the same Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4)

[2] It should be noted that this quote is from the New King James version. Although the New International version has been used for all other passages in this study, the NIV has a translation error in this verse. It translates the phrase “the hearing of faith” as “believing what you heard”. The word “believing” is not found in the original Greek text”. The term “the hearing of faith” used here means the message of the gospel (see John 12:38 where the word “hearing” is translated as “report”).

The Physical Descendants of Abraham No Longer Define God's Chosen People

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Physical Descendants of Abraham No Longer Define God's Chosen People

As stated earlier, the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants was an everlasting covenant that has not ended. This is stated in Geneses 17:7. "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." How was this promise of an everlasting covenant fulfilled? It was fulfilled through the covenant of Christ. From the time God made his covenant with Abraham, Israel was defined as the physical descendants of Abraham and Sarah. This continued until Christ. Since that time, Israel has been defined as the spiritual descendants of Jesus. The descendants of Abraham were included in the covenant because they were his seed. They were in his body when the covenant was formed and his blood flowed in their veins. God is a spirit and His son, Christ, is also a spirit (John 4:24). In the new covenant of Christ, God's people are defined by His spiritual descendants. Instead of having Jesus' blood in our veins, we are his descendants because we receive his spirit into our soul. Let's look at the scriptures that tell us how to enter the New Testament covenant and receive the Holy Spirit.

Romans 9:6-8 explains God's people are not defined by the physical descendants of Israel but by the children of the promise through Christ.

6 … It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

The "promise" in this passage is that all nations on earth would be blessed through the offspring of Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5). This promise was a prophesy that all Israelites and gentiles would receive the gospel of Jesus. If you recall, Isaac had two sons; Jacob and Esau. Jacob, who was also called Israel was the father of twelve sons who were the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. Esau and his descendants represent the gentiles in this passage. Since both Jacob and Esau were sons of Isaac, the promise was to his descendants. However, this passage states the promise of the gospel was not limited to the natural descendants of Isaac but to all the children of the promise; the promise of all nations made to Abraham.

Ephesians 2:11-13 explains the Gentiles, who had been excluded from the covenants, are no longer separated from God. Under the covenants of Abraham and Mt. Sinai, God's chosen people only included the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Gentiles were excluded from receiving the blessings of those covenants. God had never been "their God" and they had never been "his people". Christ changed all of that by establishing a new covenant definomg God's people as his spiritual descendants. The Gentile Christians became full citizens in the kingdom of God. For the first time, they were included as God's chosen people through the blood of Jesus and through His Spirit. (Notice how this passage makes reference to physical and spiritual circumcisions.)

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

In the past, God's people were made up of a physical nation. Today, the new covenant defines God's people as the church. Colossians 1:24 states: "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." 1 Peter 2:9-10 and Ephesians 2:18-22 state we are part of a spiritual house. We are part of a spiritual and holy nation made up of God's people.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The Temple and Promised Land Are Now Spiritual

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Temple and Promised Land Are Now Spiritual

The bible also tells us the temple is no longer a physical building. We have become the temple because God's Spirit lives in us.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

2 Corinthians 6:16 For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

When God made His covenant with Abraham, one of the eternal promises was: "The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you" (Geneses 17:8) After the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan it became the kingdom of Israel. However, just as God's people are now His spiritual descendants, this promise to Abraham was also transformed by the covenant of Christ from a physical "promised land" to a spiritual one. The Old Testament saints understood this:

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ... 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

The Blessings of the New Testament Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Blessings of the New Testament Covenant

Forgiveness of Sins

Earlier chapters covered the nature of covenants. We looked at how the Mt. Sinai covenant was two-sided with blessings and curses. The Israelites received tremendous earthly blessings. Their wealth and strength today are a result of what they learned by following the principles given to them by God. They also received terrible curses. Tens of thousands were destroyed when they were going through the desert on their forty-year journey to Canaan. Millions of them were destroyed when the end of the covenant came with the destruction of Jerusalem.

Unlike the covenant of Moses, the covenant of Abraham and the covenant of Christ are one-sided. Once in the new covenant, we receive the blessings and the promises. The only curses are the ones for leaving the covenant. One blessing we have already looked at is the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 8:12). 1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness". It doesn't state God forgives us because he is merciful although he is. It doesn't state God forgives us because he loves us although he does. We are forgiven because God is faithful in keeping his covenant promises. But God is also just. We saw his justice in action when he punished the Israelites for breaking the Law. The punishments were part of the covenant made on Mt. Sinai. If God had withheld them, he would have broken his word. The justice of God has been with us since Adam and Eve. From that time until today, God's perfect justice has required death in payment of sin. However, we can also see God's perfect love working with his justice. When God mandated that sins be punished by death, he also understood the blood of Christ was the only thing that could atone for our sins. Thus, when 1 John 1:9 states God forgives us because he is just, it means the blood of Christ satisfied his justice. When we enter the covenant, the blood of Jesus cleanses us and God's universal code of justice is met because the death of Christ is personally applied to us.

When the apostle Paul was saved, he was on a mission to destroy Christians and the New Testament church. Jesus spoke to him from Heaven and explained what he was doing was wrong. When asked what he should do, Jesus told Paul to go see a Christian named Ananias. When Paul reached him, Ananias told Paul to be baptized and wash away his sins. (Acts 22:4-16) If Paul, who had killed Christians was forgiven, if the Jews who had been responsible for the death of Jesus could be forgiven, then we can have confidence that whatever sins we have committed are also forgiven.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 talks about the forgiveness of sins:

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Salvation of Our Souls

Another blessing we receive is the salvation of our souls. We can look forward to a home in Heaven with God and Christ after we die. Romans 8:1-2 states: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." This promise of a home in Heaven is part of our inheritance as children of God. I Peter 1:3 states: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade— kept in heaven for you." Ephesians 1:13-14 states: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory."

These promises are from God and he has bound them to our covenant with his oath to always keep his word. We looked at Hebrews 6:19 where the covenant is an anchor for our souls. When we fall to temptation, when we are discouraged, when our faith is weak, we only have to remember the promises are not dependent on us. God knows what our faults are and sent his son to die and establish the covenant to complete us. With the spirit of Christ in us, what we lack is made whole. We can approach God without fear because Christ has wiped away our imperfection. The spirit of Christ is a guarantee of our inheritance in Heaven.

Earthly Blessings

The covenant promises of forgiveness and salvation are precious to us and are the foundation of our hope. But the covenant promises also bless our life in earth. As we dedicate our lives to God and as we seek to be of service to him, he is with us in all things. In a covenant relationship, two parties become united and are devoted to each other. If one of the two is attacked, the other one is there to defend him. If one of the two has a debt, the other one is there with his money. If one of the two has a loss, the other one is there to comfort him. It is the same way with our covenant with God. If Satan attacks us, God is there to defend us. God makes sure we have food, clothes, and shelter. When we have sorrow, God comforts us. On our own, we are all sinful. As we try to control our lives and achieve goals we have set for ourselves, we are not always successful. We are imperfect and we often fail. However, in service to God we become imperfect vessels of a perfect power. With his help and his spirit, we get to be part of something pure and powerful and perfect. In the moments when we serve God, we get to be better than ourselves.

Living As a Child of God

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

Living As a Child of God

God didn't select the smartest, the richest, the best looking, the strongest, or the most powerful people to be his apostles. He chose average people. The apostle Peter was an average man. As a Jewish fisherman, he would have received a normal elementary education. He did not receive any special leadership training or any advanced formal education in the Law of Moses. Yet, because of his strong faith, Jesus chose this man to hold the keys to the New Testament Church (Matthew 16:13-20). On the first day of the church, he preached the gospel of Jesus to a large crowd and about three thousand people responded and were saved from eternal damnation (Acts 2). A few days later Peter, using the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, healed a man who had been crippled from birth. This drew a large crowd, Peter preached to them, and about two thousand more people were saved (Acts 3 & 4) When it was time to bring the gospel message to other nations, it was Peter who was sent to preach to Cornelius, the first Gentile Christian (Acts 10). When the Jewish leaders arrested Peter for preaching the gospel, he was brought before the rulers, elders and teachers of the Mosaic Law; the most educated men in Jerusalem. When Peter, a simple fisherman with no formal education was able to stand up to their questions and teach them about Jesus, they were astonished (Acts 4). This simple fisherman was the leader of the church in Jerusalem, played a key role in the salvation of thousands, wrote two books of the New Testament, and, after living a life in service to God was executed in Rome by Nero. The incredible things he accomplished in his life were far more than he could have done with his natural abilities alone. He accomplished these things because he surrendered his life to Christ in service to him.

Today, even the best-of-the-best are flawed and imperfect. God's will on earth is done by those who humble themselves and seek to be of service to him. They do not come with anything God needs, for he has everything. They come only with a desire to seek His will and serve Him. 2 Corinthians 4:7 states: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." God did not put the gospel message, his treasure, in a jewel-encrusted box made of gold. He put it in ordinary people like us. We are the jars of clay God has put his treasure in. As Paul puts it in 2 Timothy 2:20-21: "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." Like Peter, we can look back at the end of our life with satisfaction. By being joined with Christ in a covenant relationship, we can achieve things that would be impossible by our abilities alone.

Why did God choose to enter into a covenant relationship with us? Why did he make promises to us and bind them with a covenant oath on the blood of his son? The answer is because he loves us. We won't understand that love until we see him in Heaven. We don't deserve any of the blessings of God. However, they are ours to ask for in prayer. Matthew 7:9 states, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" It doesn't matter what sins we committed that day. It doesn't matter that we are weak and flawed. We can trust him to keep his promises and answer our prayers because of the covenant.

1 John 1:5-7 describes our life under the covenant of Christ;

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

I believe walking in the light as stated in verse 7 means we are walking in the covenant. We are doing our best to live in faith and offer our lives in service to God. We have a deep love for God and Christ and we reflect that love to those we come in contact with. While we are in the covenant, I believe we live in a state of continual absolution through the grace of God and the blood of Jesus.

The Curses of the New Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Curses of the New Covenant

The new covenant is perfect and we are blessed today because we live under this dispensation of time when we have these promises. However, if we ignore the covenant or if we leave the covenant, we need to be afraid. Romans 8:9 states: "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." If we do not belong to Christ, then we do not have salvation.

The book of Hebrews contains several warnings about ignoring or leaving the covenant:

Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Hebrews 10:26-31 warns us to not treat the covenant as a license to sin. We are to always treat the blood of Christ with reverence and respect. We should never lose sight of what it means to us. When we partake of the Lord's Supper and drink the fruit of the vine that represents the blood of the covenant, we are to remember the sacrifice of Christ and examine ourselves so we stay close to him who saved us.

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the Law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

In Mt 12:31, Jesus states: "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." The word "blasphemy" means to slander. I have never fully understood why slander of the Spirit the only unforgivable sin? If someone approached me and wanted to know how to commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, I'm not sure I would have an answer. However, my personal theory of why slander of the Spirit is unforgivable is because the Spirit is what makes us a child of God and binds us to Christ in a covenant relationship. Without the Spirit in us, we are not the seed of Christ, we are not heirs to the promises of the covenant, we are not forgiven of our sins, and we do not have the deposit that guarantees our redemption after we die (2 Corinthians 5:4-5).

Final Thoughts

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ
Final Thoughts

We should always remember who God is. He is perfect and just and he will punish those who are his enemies and therefore our enemies. He brought the curses of the Mt. Sinai covenant upon the Israelites because of their sins. Just because we live in a time when the judgment and punishment of God are held until the Day of Judgment does not mean there is no punishment. He was so serious about the new covenant, he sent his own son to establish it by dying on the cross. 1 John 5:12 states; "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." Just as God desired the Israelites to choose life when he warned them prior to entering the Promised Land, (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) his desire is that we also choose life.

Once we have obeyed the gospel, God wants us to serve him out of love; not fear. As we grow as a Christian, there is less fear and more love.

1 John 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Remember how terrified Moses and the Israelites were when God spoke to them from Mt. Sinai? In summarizing the superiority of the new covenant over the Law, Hebrews tells us we have not come to Mt. Sinai; we have come to Mt. Zion, the city of the living God and the church of the firstborn:

Hebrews 12:18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire."

God's plea is that all mankind will accept the covenant of Christ and receive it's blessings. We who have accepted the gospel of Christ are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. We are members of his church and his kingdom. We live with our sins forgiven and the confidence that we will be living with God and Jesus for all eternity. Let's serve God with reverence and with love.

The Covenants of God Chapter 8: The Covenant Between David and Jonathan

This chapter covers the covenant made between Jonathan, the son of King Saul and David, the future King of Israel, while he was in the service of Saul. The history of their relationship has all the drama of a Hollywood blockbuster. Family members try to kill each other. Characters are forced to choose between their family, their friends, what is right vs. what is wrong and their duty to God. Some of the characters suffer needlessly because they don't understand who God is and what it means to serve Him. It shows us how the lives and decisions of David and Jonathan were guided by their faith in God and their covenant relationship with each other. It also gives us great insight into how we should live in our covenant relationship with God and Jesus.

David was the son of Jesse, a descendent of Judah, and an ancestor of Jesus. When he was a teenager, he became famous by slaying the Philistine champion Goliath. David loved God and placed his faith in him. God called him a man after his own heart (Acts13:22). Jonathan was the son of King Saul; the first King of Israel after the time of Judges. Like David, Jonathan had a great faith and trusted God with his life (1 Samuel 14). After David slew Goliath, Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. A strong bond of love and friendship grew between David and Jonathan and they formed a covenant. When the covenant was made, Jonathan gave David his robe and tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt. As stated earlier, the robe and tunic signified Jonathan's wealth was David's if he ever needed it. The weapons signified all of Jonathan's strength and power would protect David if he were ever attacked (1 Samuel 18).

Sadly, this time of peace was short-lived. As David continued to have success in battle, Saul promoted him to a high rank in the army. One day, when the army was returning from battle, some women came out to cheer for them. As they danced and played their lutes and tambourines, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." 1 Samuel 18:7). Saul was filled with jealously and rage. The next day David was playing his harp for Saul and the king tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. David was able to elude him and Saul, believing God was protecting David, gave up the attack. This did not mean Saul gave up trying to kill David. The king sent him into battles against overwhelming odds hoping the Philistines would kill David for him. David's faith was strong and he won every battle because God was with him. As David continued to win battles, Israel's love for him grew and Saul became more and more afraid of him. Saul began to hatch schemes to control David, including giving him his daughter Michal in marriage. When nothing worked, Saul became David's life long enemy and sought to kill him. (1 Samuel 18) The rest of 1 Samuel records his life on the run from Saul. Many of the Psalms written by David documented the stress and sorrow he felt while he was fleeing from Saul. This part of Israel's history is recorded in 1 Samuel 19-29.

Given this background, we can see how a covenant between the son of Saul and David would be a problem. In general, Saul and his family were proud, selfish, and rebellious. Whatever God told Saul to do, he usually did the opposite. Earlier, after years of disobedience, Saul had defeated the Amalekites and disobeyed God by sparing the life of the king as well as some of the nation's livestock. God had enough and sent the prophet Samuel to tell Saul the crown would be torn from him and given to another (1 Samuel 15). Much of Saul's hatred toward David was because he believed David was his replacement.

In contrast to Saul, David was a selfless man who trusted God and lived to serve him. Jonathan, unlike his family, also lived to serve God. Thus, when David became an enemy of the throne, Jonathan was torn between his covenant obligations to David and his obligations to his father. When confronted with the choice, Jonathan chose his obligation to David. This was a remarkable choice because Jonathan, the heir to the throne of Israel, also believed David would be king. David and Jonathan were as one when they formed a covenant and when Saul tried to kill David he was trying to kill Jonathan's covenant partner. In 1 Samuel 19, when Saul ordered Jonathan and his other attendants to kill David, Jonathan warned David so he could escape.

Saul committed terrible sins in his pursuit of David. Once, when Jonathan was trying to convince his father David was innocent of any treason, Saul became enraged. He said he knew Jonathan had sided with David and against him. He called Jonathan the son of a perverse and rebellious woman and declared Jonathan would never be king as long as David was alive. When Jonathan still defended David, Saul hurled a spear at his son trying to kill him. Another time Saul heard the priests of Nob had given David food and a weapon. By this time, he had heard about the covenant between David and his son. He believed Jonathan had conspired with David to assassinate him and was growing more desperate to find David. When the priests of Nob were brought before him, Saul accused them of conspiring with David against the throne. The priest Ahimelech defended David's loyalty to Saul and said they had helped him because he was Saul's son-in-law, the captain of his bodyguard and a highly respected member of the king's household. They knew nothing of the trouble between Saul and David and told the king not to accuse them of treason. That day Saul killed eighty-five priests and put Nob to the sword. He killed all of the men, women, children, infants and livestock.

Running from Saul brought grief to David. He did not deserve the hatred Saul felt for him. While running, he had two chances to kill Saul, but both times used the opportunity to prove his loyalty to the king. He believed God had anointed Saul king of Israel and, when the time was right, God would remove him. It was not up to him to end the reign of Saul. It must have been tempting for David to not submit to God's will in this matter. He was a warrior who had many victories in battle. If someone was trying to kill him, his first instinct would have been to take care of his own safety and destroy his enemy. For example, while on the run David and his men had watched over the property of a very wealthy man named Nabal. When David sent some of his men to ask Nabal for a few provisions, Nabal treated them with contempt and sent them away empty handed. When they told David what had happened, he ordered his men to strap their swords on and set out to kill Nabal and all his people. Fortunately, one of Nabal's servants told his wife, Abigail, what had happened and she set out at once to meet David with a large quantity of food and wine. David was happy to avoid spilling blood and cancelled the attack. Shortly after that, God struck Nabal dead for his treatment of David and his men. David, who had been stricken with Abigail's beauty and intelligence, asked her to become his wife and she accepted. Thus, in the matter of Saul, David resisted the temptation to take matters into his own hands and waited patiently for God to remove him from the throne. David prayed for God to avenge the wrongs Saul had committed against him but he would not take vengeance into his own hands against the Lord's anointed. Growing tired of running, David took his family and men into exile and lived with the Philistines near Gath, a city northwest of the current day Gaza Strip.

During his time of running, one of David's comforts was his relationship with Jonathan. Jonathan warned David about Saul and the actions he was taking to capture and kill him. Jonathan continued to be an advocate for David and tried to convince his father David was not conspiring to overthrow him. Jonathan was also a faithful friend who gave David strength. He supported David by telling him he had done nothing wrong and did not deserve what was happening to him. He talked about the future when David would be king over Israel and he would be his second in command. Each time they met, they reaffirmed their covenant of friendship and even agreed it would extend to their descendents.

In the time when David was living among the Philistines, they were gathering their forces to make war against Israel. David was living under the authority of Achish, the son of King Maoch. Achish had heard of David's reputation as a warrior and commanded David and his men to fight in his army. As they were marching to war, the commander of the Philistines saw the Jews and confronted Achish, asking him what they were doing in the army. Achish replied that David was a great warrior, but the commander didn't trust David and believed once the battle was joined, David would fight for Israel and attack the Philistine army from the rear. David and his men were sent back and did not take part in the upcoming battle.

Meanwhile, Saul saw the Philistine army and was filled with terror. He made inquires of the Lord but received no answer. He tried to ask God for advice through dreams, casting lots, and through the prophets but God did not answer him. Having failed to ascertain the future through holy means, he consulted the witch of Endor. She was able to bring up the spirit of Samuel the prophet who confirmed Saul's worst fears. He told Saul God had turned away from him and the time of his punishment for his disobedience was at hand. He told Saul that he and his sons would be killed the next day, the army of Israel would be handed over to the Philistines, and David would replace him as king. 1 Samuel 31 records the last battle of Saul. The Philistine army routed the Israelites at Mount Gilboa and three sons of Saul, including Jonathan, were killed. Saul was critically wounded by an arrow and asked his armor bearer to finish him off. His armor bearer was terrified and would not do it, so Saul fell on his own sword and died. The Philistines took the bodies of Saul and his sons and pinned them to a wall in one of their cities. Some brave Israelites came during the night and rescued the bodies. They burned them, buried the bones and paid tribute to the fallen king and his sons by fasting seven days.

The history of David and Jonathan is a great example of a covenant relationship. I'm sure Jonathan loved his father and family a great deal; but he loved God more. The choices he made not only reflected his obligation to the covenant with David, but also expressed his faith by trusting in God and doing His will. In this case, the motivation for his choices is indistinguishable between love for David and loyalty to his covenant obligation. I believe this is also the case with our covenant relationship with God. He has bound his promises to us in a covenant oath because he loves us. However, he also established the covenant and keeps his promises to us because he loves us. Jonathan's love for David is a great example of how God loves us. He will protect us, he will keep our souls from harm, and he will shepherd our lives and lead us if we are willing to humble ourselves to follow his will. His love for us is always there. Our challenge is to love him as much as he loves us. We can see an example of one-sided love as this piece of history continues.

The years that followed were filled with civil war and bloodshed. This part of Israel's history is recorded in 2 Samuel 1-9. Abner, the commander of Saul's army and the rest of the soldiers who had escaped the battle of Mount Gilboa, went to Saul's fortress palace in Gibeah; about 3 miles north of the present day city of Jerusalem. He gathered up Saul's remaining son, Ish-Bosheth, and the rest of Saul's family and fled northeast about twenty miles to Mahanaim where he made Ish-Bosheth king over Israel. One of the family members was a five year-old son of Jonathan's named Mephibosheth. His nurse had picked him up and was fleeing when she accidentally dropped him and crippled him for life. Meanwhile God told David to go to Hebron, a city about ten miles south of Gibeah. The men of Judah came to him there and anointed him king over their tribe.

In an attempt to establish peace, Joab, the commander of David's men, and Abner met at the pool of Gibeon, near Gibeah, along with their men. The two commanders agreed to have twelve men from each side fight each other in a token fight. The loosing side would surrender to the winning side and avoid the shedding of blood between God's chosen people. However, the hatred was so strong between the two sides, the men grabbed each other's heads and thrust their daggers into their opponent's sides. All 24 men fell dead and a battle broke out. David's men routed Abner and his men that day, killing about 360 of them.

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. With each battle, David grew stronger while Ish-Bosheth grew weaker. Abner became bitter and disloyal toward Ish-Bosheth and switched his loyalty to David. He met with David in Hebron and worked out the terms of a surrender. He then met with the elders of Israel to inform them of his meeting with David. They knew God had anointed David king over all Israel and had wanted to make him their king for some time. They agreed to David's terms and Abner went back to Hebron to tell David. Everything was going well until Joab learned Abner had been in Hebron and David let him go in peace. Joab hated Abner because he had killed his brother and he wanted revenge. He deceived Abner by arraigning a secret meeting where he murdered him. Later, when David heard about the murder he was shocked. Although he didn't punish Joab directly, he prayed to God that Abner's blood would be on the head of Joab and his family. He asked God to punish Joab's house by always having someone with leprosy, running sores, one who needs a crutch, one who falls by the sword, or one who lacks food.

When word reached Mahanaim that Abner had been murdered, Ish-Bosheth and all Israel became alarmed. Two men killed Ish-Bosheth in his bed and brought his head to David thinking he would be pleased and reward them. Instead, David became angry at them for their cowardly act and had them executed. A short time later the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and anointed him as their king. God's people were once again united after seven and a half years of civil war.

David became busy with strengthening the kingdom of Israel. He conquered Jerusalem by defeating the Jebusites, a Canaanite tribe who had lived there since the time of Joshua. He renamed Jerusalem "the City of David" and built his palace there. With God's blessing, he went to war against the Philistines and defeated them, taking back the land they had lost earlier. He defeated other neighboring kingdoms such as Moab, Zobah, Damascus, and Edom and took possession of their lands. God gave David victories wherever he went and he reigned over Israel doing what was right and just for his people making them a rich and powerful nation. He also brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and planned to build a temple for God to dwell in with his chosen people.

After things calmed down, David was thinking of Jonathan and the covenant they had made. In 2 Samuel 9:1 he asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" A search was made and Ziba, a servant of Saul's was brought before the king. He told David there was still one descendent left; a son of Jonathan's who was crippled in both feet. David asked where he was and Ziba told him the son was living in Lo Debar at the house of Makir. The king had Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, brought to him.

Can you imagine what must have been going through Mephibosheth's mind? As we have already seen, the house of Saul hated the house of David. Mephibosheth had been a member of the royal family living in Saul's palace when his world was turned upside down. The flight to Mahanaim when he was five had left him crippled for life. Living in the house of Ish-Bosheth during the seven years of civil war that followed, he learned to hate David along with the rest of his family. Then, after Ish-Bosheth was murdered, all hope of his family returning to power vanished forever. David was sitting on the throne his family should have sat on. David was living in splendor and wealth while he was an object of charity at a kind man's house in Lo Debar. The Hebrew word for Lo Debar means "without pasture". It must have been a barren and depressing place for Mephibosheth to live. Then one day, some chariots and horses arrive outside his door and he is summoned to appear before the king. He was about to meet the man that his family hated and who had ruined his life.

Many people would think David needed to kill the last descendent of Saul to eliminate any threat of a rebellion (see Judges 9:5 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-11). But David knew God who had anointed him king over Israel and he trusted him with his safety. He didn't worry about a revolt because he had faith. When Mephibosheth was brought before him, the son of Jonathan was afraid. Did he think David was going to tie up some loose ends and have him killed? Whatever was on his mind, he bowed down to honor the king. David said, "Mephibosheth". He replied, "Your servant". David immediately sought to ease his fear. He said; "Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul and you will always eat at my table." (2 Samuel 9:7) What a shock for Mephibosheth! This had to be the last thing he expected. He replied to David; "What is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me?" (2 Samuel 9:8) That day, David fulfilled his covenant obligation to Jonathan by giving Mephibosheth everything that had belonged to Saul and his family. He also appointed Ziba, his fifteen sons, and his twenty servants to be servants of Mephibosheth and provide for him whatever he needed. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and ate at the king's table as one of his sons. The line of Saul continued through Mephibosheth's son Micah and his descendents. 1 Chronicles 8 states they were brave warriors who were skilled with a bow.

When Mephibosheth stated he was like a dead dog, he was stating he did not deserve the kindness or blessings David was giving him. Although this was true, David gave these things to him anyway because of his covenant with Jonathan. That obligation was not dependent on the feelings or respect that Saul's house had for David. It didn't matter that they all hated David and had tried to kill him. The only thing that mattered was his covenant obligation to Jonathan. Mephibosheth did not deserve the blessings of that covenant; but he did have a right to them. How sad that he lived on charity all those years because he didn't understand the nature of the covenant. He could have marched into David's palace at any time and become a wealthy man.

From that moment on, all Mephibosheth had to do was enjoy life. But to really be happy, he had to change and accept the covenant. He had to die to his old life and leave most of what had defined him until that moment. He had to stop hating David and, instead, love him. He had to go from a life of taking to a life of giving. He had to give up his bad attitude and self-pity and live as one of God's chosen people. There were people in David's palace that had lost loved ones in the war with the house of Saul. They may have confronted Mephibosheth asking him what he had done to deserve a seat at the king's table. Mephibosheth could only reply it was not because of anything he had earned; it was only because of his father's covenant.

People today are a lot like Mephibosheth. They live in spiritual poverty seeking answers for life's meaning. They look for answers in drugs and alcohol, psychotherapy and self-help books, new age mysticism such as crystals, taro cards, and astrology, and a wide variety of other human wisdoms that claim to have the answer to why we are here. Only God has the answers we seek. Just as David sought out Mephibosheth to continue the covenant he had made with Jonathan and his descendents, God seeks us out to enter a covenant relationship with him. In this covenant, God becomes the shepherd of our souls. As our shepherd, he guides us as we surrender our lives to him. Nothing can harm our soul or separate us from his love. We know exactly what our purpose is and why we are here. His power is our strength and our shield. Out of his abundance he supplies our physical needs. Through the covenant His son died to establish, He is our covenant partner, our father, and our God. We are his covenant partner, his children, and his holy people. As he told the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life" … (De 30:19-20) God wants us to accept life today by entering into the covenant of Christ and surrendering our lives to him.

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 1: Introduction

This paper presents God's Law of Good and Evil. It is the law that existed before the universe was created and it has never changed. It provides the absolute definitions of right and wrong and it is the law that we will all be judged by when we stand before Christ at the end of the world.

This is a difficult study to read. In this day and age, many people want to be accepted the way they are. They don't want anyone telling them there are aspects of their behaviors or beliefs that are wrong and are harming their eternal souls. They define right and wrong based on what they do and believe and attack anyone who disagrees with this definition. Loving and compassionate people, including most Christians, accept all people with all of their behaviors and beliefs. More importantly, God loves all people with all of their behaviors and beliefs. His plan for mankind when He created us, was to be in a relationship with us that results in the eternal salvation of our souls. He accepts all people with open and loving arms. However, to be in a relationship with God one must accept the goal to become new beings and conform our lives to His truth. We do this by living our lives following the example of Jesus. We do this by dedicating our lives to the two great commandments: to love God and to love mankind. This process includes examining our behaviors and beliefs and rejecting anything contrary to the truth of God. It also includes loving our fellow humans enough to do everything we can to save them from eternal death.

Those of us who are Christians believe there is an absolute code of right and wrong; righteousness and sin; good and evil. Right and wrong are not defined by the individual, by society or current behavior trends. Their definition is not fluid and does not change over time. They are defined by God and have never, and will never change. This code, called the Law of Good and Evil in Geneses, has been given to us by God and as we seek a close loving relationship with Him and Jesus we do our best to follow what is good. This simplifies our lives since we don't have to second guess if a specific action is acceptable or not. We trust God when He labels an action as sin and accept it is something that is bad for us and we seek to avoid it.

Since His Law of Good and Evil was in existence before He created Adam, we have faith He created mankind to interface with this law and thrive by following what is good. By humbling ourselves and submitting to the will of God we can find true happiness and contentment. Our achievements are based on eternal truths and purpose and thus bring real satisfaction. We know the answer to the question "Why are we here?" We don't have to go searching in other philosophies, religions, or mystical beliefs to understand the purpose for our lives. Our marriages and friendships are more meaningful and fulfilling because we are faithful, honest and seek to uplift and serve those who are in our life as Christ lived to serve others. We are more healthy as we seek to master our physical desires and use them to fulfill God's purpose for us. Above all, our life of serving Jesus brings us certainty that we will have eternal life with Him.

On the other hand, we harm ourselves when we sin. This can be physical harm such as venereal diseases from sexual sins, organ damage from alcohol or drug abuse, or incarceration as a result of theft or harming someone. We can also suffer mental harm from broken relationships, loss of jobs, or financial problems caused by sinful addictions.

In this day and age, there is a great uprising against the truth of God. People who are embedded in sinful lives do not want anyone to tell them their actions are sinful and their souls are in danger. They categorize Christians who hold to the truths of God with disparaging labels such as hateful, racist, prejudiced, narrow minded, or ignorant. They actively seek to force the acceptance of their sinful lifestyles on Christians. Some groups actually have the goal of destroying the church.

The book of Galatians sums up the lives of those who follow sin and those who follow Christ:

5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

While our faithfulness in following the Law of Good and Evil has a major impact on our lives while we are here on Earth, the impact to our eternal souls is far more serious. The Law of Good and Evil includes only one penalty for all sins; the eternal death of our soul. This penalty applies to every sin no matter how small or how large. A small white lie is punished by eternal death just as murder is. This is explained in the book of James:

2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a law-breaker.

The apostle Paul was one of the greatest Christians in the early days of the church, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and establishing churches. He wrote at least 14 of the 27 books in the New testament. However, prior to this he was a Pharisee who had a passion for the Mosaic Law. He devoted his life to destroying the New Testament Church which he saw as a threat to everything he believed. He wrote about this in Philippians:

Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh — 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

On a mission to arrest and persecute Christians, Jesus appeared to him and changed his life. He became a Christian and an Apostle and spent the rest of his life serving Christ and the Gospel. As devoted as he was, he still struggled with sin. He described this struggle in the book of Romans:

7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

The answer to Paul's question is Jesus Christ. When Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross, he suffered the death penalty we are all under for our sins. We are freed from the consequence of sin specified in the Law of Good and Evil; what Paul called the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

This is also our answer. As we enter into a relationship with God and Jesus, we are freed from the worry of sin and the impact it has on our eternal soul. While the Law of Good and Evil is immutable and all sins result in death, Christ paid that debt by dying on the cross. God's will for us is to be in a relationship with Him where He can bless us and give our lives meaning as we serve Him and Jesus. The penalty for our sins are taken out of the way so we can draw close to God without fear.

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 2: The Law in the Early Days of the Earth

Chapter 2 Sections Include:

Adam and Eve

The Law of Good and Evil first appears in the Book of Geneses in the garden of Eden. (It is also referred to as the law of the Spirit of life in Christ (Romans 8:2), the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) and the law of sin (Romans 7:25)) The law was contained in the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God told Adam and Eve they were forbidden to eat it's fruit and, if they did, they would die.

Geneses 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Things were fine until Satan deceived Eve and convinced her to eat the forbidden fruit.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’" 4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Adam and Eve both ate, their eyes were opened to what was good and evil, and they were under the penalty of death having sinned by breaking the one command God had given them. However, there was hope for Adam and Eve. Even though the one penalty for sinning was death, God's Law of Good and Evil also includes a provision for the penalty to be paid by a substitute. We see in Genesis 3:1 that God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve. Many scholars believe the skins were from animals that were slain in place of Adam and Eve; paying the death penalty for their sin.

There were still some very serious consequences for Adam and Eve. Having the knowledge of what is good and evil, they were accountable for the future sins they would commit. God could not allow them to remain in the Garden of Eden where they could eat from the tree of life and live forever. Sadly, their sin resulted in all humans having a limited life that ends in death.

Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." 23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Adam and Eve

The Law of Good and Evil in the Early Days of the Earth

There is another principle that needs to be understood; God does not hold people accountable for sins they are not aware of. Thus, Adam and Eve could have committed sins in the Garden of Eden before they ate the forbidden fruit, but God did not punish them since they did not know the actions were sinful. This principle is discussed in the book of Romans.

Romans 5:11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned — 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

To my knowledge, the complete Law of Good and Evil has never been written down.[1] After Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they knew everything about sin and righteousness. The Bible does not tell us how much of this knowledge was passed on to future generations. However, there are accounts in the Bible of people being punished for their evil deeds before the existence of the first written law from God; the Law of Moses. (This law will be covered below.) Since God only punishes people for the sins they know about, at least some of the knowledge of good and evil must have been passed down. Two of the most well known accounts are the destruction of the earth by water and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Flood

Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 13:13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

Genesis 18:20 Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

In the early chapters of Romans, Paul explains how all people since the creation are guilty of sin. This implies they had knowledge of the sins they were committing and were held accountable in this life as well as in the judgment. One of these sins was the worship of idols:

Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

He then describes the judgment of all people who follow evil and sin:

Romans 2: 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done". 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

The definitions of good and evil contained in the tree were absolutely true before God created the heavens and the Earth, they are unchanged and true today, and they will be unchanged and true after the Earth is destroyed, the final resurrection has taken place and all people stand before God in judgment. It will be the sins defined within this law that will be used to judge our works.

[1] The Mosaic Law is derived from the Law of Good and Evil and was the basis for the covenant God made with the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. Also, God promised that His Law would be written on our hearts and minds as part of the New Testament covenant.

The Law of Good and Evil in the Early Days of the Earth

The Law of Good and Evil and the Nature of God

I don't believe the Law of Good and Evil was created by God with Him sitting down and coming up with a list of possible actions and then placing them either in the "evil" or the "good" list. I think the Law of Good and Evil is based on God Himself. It is who and what He is. We see many passages in the Bible where the presence of God destroys anyone with sin. Two examples are found in Exodus:

God warns the Israelites when He delivers the 10 commandments to them:

Exodus 19:20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, "Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them." 23 Moses said to the Lord, "The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’"

God protects Moses when he is on Mt. Sinai:

Exodus 33:18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live." 21 Then the Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

Thus, in some way, I think the pure essence of God is expressed in the Law of Good and Evil and the law defines what can and cannot survive in His presence. He created mankind because He desired to have a relationship with us. He created us with a free will so we can choose to seek Him or not. Since Christ died, those who have chosen to follow good and place their faith in Him, the blood of Christ purifies them from their sins and we can be in His presence.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

I believe the strongest connection between God and the Law of Good and evil is His love. While God's justice falls on those who reject Him and is part of who He is, God's essence is predominately defined by His love. Consider John 3:16-17:

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Love is also the foundation of God's law. All of the commands and principles of the Law of Good and Evil can be followed by obeying the two greatest commands; to Love God and love our fellow man.

Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Therefore, God is defined by His love and His Law of Good and Evil is a blueprint for living a life of love for God and mankind so we can be in a relationship with Him. Those behaviors that harm us, those around us and grieve our God are defined as sins. Sins damage the love we are commanded to nurture and grow within us. Those behaviors that nurture and grow our love are defined as good. God's plan for mankind is for all people to be in a relationship with God, Jesus and our fellow man

The Law of Good and Evil and the Nature of God

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 3: The Law of Moses

Chapter 3 Sections Include:

The Origin of the Mt. Sinai Covenant

While the law contained in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is the one unabridged version of the law, God provided another version of this law to form a covenant with the Israelites after he freed them from slavery in Egypt. This version of the law is known as the Law of Moses. The initial set of commands was given to the Israelites by God on Mt. Sinai and was the basis for the covenant that was created at that time. Additional commands were added over the next forty years as the Israelites traveled from Mt. Sinai to the promised land in Canaan. (A spreadsheet of most of the commands and their scriptural reference is included in the appendix below.)

The Mt Sinai commands started with the ten commandments recorded in Exodus 20. The numbers before the passages below are the verse numbers. Breaking one of the first seven of these commands was punished by death. The last three; do not steal, do not give false witness and do not covet had less severe punishments.

verse 3 You shall have no other gods before me.
4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
7 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 You shall not murder.
14 You shall not commit adultery.
15 You shall not steal.
16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

As mentioned above, additional commands were added over the next forty years. For example, other sexual sins were added in addition to do not commit adultery. Some of these were:

Leviticus 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord detests this.
Leviticus 19:29 Don't degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.
Deuteronomy 23:17 No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine-prostitute.
Leviticus 18:6-18 No-one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations.
Leviticus 20:15-16 Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.

Examples of additional commands added to the prohibition of worshiping idols include:

Leviticus 18:21 Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 Let no-one sacrifice his child in the fire, practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, cast spells, is a medium or spiritist, or consult the dead.

(Many of the sins in the Law are labeled "detestable" by God. The original Hebrew word for this is "towebah" meaning: a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable.)

Two of the commands added after Mt. Sinai were defined by Jesus as the two greatest:

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
The command to love the Lord your God is first found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The command to Love your neighbor is first found in Leviticus 19:18.

The Origin of the Mt. Sinai Covenant

Blessings, Curses and Punishments

The Mt. Sinai covenant formed a contract between God and the Israelites. The scope of this contract was limited to the earthly lives of the Israelites. The blessings and punishments were all related to the quality of their life on Earth. There was nothing in the contract that affected their souls after they died. For the individual, the punishment for breaking a command was specified with the sin. If the sin did not specify the death penalty, the sinner usually had to provide some form of restitution for the party that was harmed. However, all sins were an offence to God and required a sacrifice to Him. The principle of animals being sacrificed to pay for the sins of people was a large part of the Mt Sinai covenant. When the sinner brought the sacrifice to the priest, it was understood that the animal was giving it's life in place of the sinner. However, the blood from these sacrifices resulted in the sins going unpunished during the sinner's lifetime; they were not forgiven.

This principle of a substitute sacrifice is part of the Law of Good and Evil. For Christians today, this principle is the cornerstone of our faith. The sacrifices required by the Mt. Sinai covenant foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus as he gave his life to pay for our sins. Only the blood of Jesus could completely atone and forgive our sins (Hebrews, chapter 9). Thus, for the Israelites under the Mt. Sinai covenant their sins were forgiven years later after Jesus offered His blood as He gave His life to pay the penalty for them.

Staying faithful to the covenant resulted in the Israelites receiving the promised blessings from God. If they were unfaithful, they received the curses.

The blessings of the Mt. Sinai covenant included:

They were protected by God. Their enemies became God’s enemies and he would destroy those who opposed them. (Exodus 23:22-25)
They would inherit the land of Canaan. (Exodus 23:27-31)
They would be healthy and have a full life span. (Exodus 23:25-26)
None would be barren or miscarry. They would be blessed with children. (Exodus 23:26)
They would be wealthy. (Deuteronomy 28:3-13)

The curses for breaking the Law are found in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 26:14-45 goes into great detail regarding the curses for breaking the covenant; especially idolatry. The purpose of these curses was to bring repentance to the Israelites and restore their relationship with God. God listed five groups of curses for breaking the covenant, each group worse than the prior one. The second group of curses would only occur if the Israelites didn’t repent after the first group. The third group would come only if they didn’t respond to the first two groups and so on. The curses included the following:

Group 1. “I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.” (verse 16)
Group 2. “I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit.” (verses 19 & 20)
Group 3. “I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted.” (verse 22)
Group 4. “I will bring the sword upon you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be given into enemy hands.” (verse 25)
Group 5. “You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars and pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and I will abhor you.” (verses 29 & 30) “You will perish among the nations; the land of your enemies will devour you. Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their fathers’ sins they will waste away.” (verses 38 & 39)

God gives the Israelites further detail for the curses in Deuteronomy, chapters 28 and 29. He describes how the Israelites will be conquered by their enemies when they sin and break his covenant with Him. The goal of the punishments and curses was to instill fear in the Israelites and motivate them to stay faithful. Earlier, when they were standing on Mt. Sinai hearing the voice of God delivering the ten commandments they were terrified.

Exodus 20:18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

One of the great things about being in a relationship with God is his willingness to immediately accept us back when we repent of the sins we have committed. This was the case with the nation of Israel. When they broke the Law and worshipped false gods, they were punished by God until they repented. Once they humbled themselves and repented, God accepted them back and they received the full blessings of the covenant. The curses were terrible but they were delivered by the hand of a loving God. His purpose was not to set-up the Israelites to fail and then be destroyed. His purpose was to create repentance in his people when they sinned and motivate them to restore their covenant relationship when they had broken it. No matter what they did, the Israelites could call on God to remember his covenant and their prayers would be answered. Not because of any meritorious acts they had done, but because the mercy of God was something he promised. Leviticus 26: 40-45 speaks of the mercy the Israelites would receive when they humbled themselves and confessed their sins:

40 "‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers—their treachery against me and their hostility towards me, 41 which made me hostile towards them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies—then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. 43 For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. 44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. 45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.’"

This was also true on an individual basis. Even though there were many commands under the Mosaic Law that carried the death penalty, we can take comfort that God was not sitting in Heaven waiting for an Israelite to sin so he could squish them like a bug. There was a way open to life if the sinner repented. The penalties under the Law were there to keep the Israelites from falling into more widespread sins; the rule that one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. We see this mercy of God in the 18th chapter of Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 18:27 ... if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. 28 Because he considers all the offences he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 30 "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offences; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Finally, notice that forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation were not blessings of the Mt. Sinai covenant. Following the Law did not save their souls and failing to follow the Law did not condemn them; it only affected their life on Earth. This principle is clearly stated by Paul in Romans 7:1; "Do you not know, brothers, for I am speaking to men who know the law, that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?" The Mosaic law does not have any authority over the Israelites' or our souls when we face Christ at the judgment. We are judged solely by the Law of Good and Evil.

The next two chapters will focus on how faithful the Israelites were in following the Law of Moses.

Blessings, Curses and Punishments

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 4: The Israelites and the Law
Education and Enforcement

Chapter 4 Sections Include:

General Information

As the Israelites departed from Mt. Sinai, their lives were dependent on how well they stayed faithful to the covenant they had just made with God. If they were faithful, they would receive the promised blessings and have great lives. If they did not, they would receive the promised curses and their lives would be a nightmare until they repented and turned back to God. The commands they needed to comply with were all written down on the stone tablets and the book of the Law written by Moses. This Mosaic Law was the contract they had committed themselves to and formed the Mt. Sinai covenant.

With so much riding on how successful they were in following the Law, you would think they would place a high priority on education and teaching the Law. We will look at the structures God put in place for teaching the Law. We will also look at the structures and institutions the Israelites put in place when they returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Sadly, based on the frequent failures of the Israelites to stay faithful to the covenant, the systems for teaching the Law were not consistently followed during the times of the Judges and Kings.

The other priority for staying faithful to the covenant would have been how well they enforced the Law. I believe that when the Israelites strayed from the covenant and started worshipping false gods, there was a related lack of enforcement for individuals that broke the Law. History doesn't tell us which came first. But like the chicken and the egg, the unfaithfulness of individuals was linked with the unfaithfulness of the nation.

CH 4: General Information

Education

After the Israelites left Mt. Sinai, they traveled to the border of the promised land and lost faith in the promise and power of God. They were convinced that the people in the land were too powerful and would destroy them. They cried out stating it would have been better if God would have left them in Egyptian slavery.

Numbers 14: 2-4, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder."

God gave them what they asked for and they wandered for 40 years until all the adults (age 20 and older) died. The second time they approached the border of the promised land, there was a time of review and rededication for the people recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. It begins with an introduction from Moses. Underlines are mine.)

Deuteronomy 4:1 Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. 5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children."

Here we see that Moses was instrumental in teaching the Law to the people. We also see the Israelites were commanded to teach the Law to their children. Chapter six gives us more detail for the education of children.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.

We don't know how many Israelites had a copy of the Law. If the parents had the primary responsibility to teach the Law to their children, did every family have a copy? If not, where could they find a copy to use as a resource? The most likely source was one of the copies used by the Levites.

At the end of the period recorded by Deuteronomy, Moses was finished reviewing the laws and delivering God's message to the people. He wrote a copy of what was said and gave it to the priests for safekeeping. This updated version of the Law was needed since, as stated above, God had added to the original commands from Mt. Sinai over the 40 years. At this point the Law was complete and would not be modified by God again. He commanded the Levites to read the entire Law to all the people every seven years at the time for cancelling debts.

Deuteronomy 31:9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 Then Moses commanded them: "At the end of every seven years, in the year for cancelling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns so that they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. 13 Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Under the Mt. Sinai covenant, the males from the tribe of Levi served as the priests. (The twelve sons of Jacob became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Israel is another name for Jacob; the grandson of Abraham.) The Old Testament book of Leviticus (based on the name "Levi") contains all the details for how the Israelites were to worship. The book covers the materials and construction for the Ark of the Covenant, the tent (tabernacle) where God dwelt during the 40 years in the desert and the initial 500+ years in the promised land until the temple in Jerusalem was built, the holy days the Israelites were to observe, the details for the different types of sacrifices, and the clothing and preparations the priests went through to serve before God. In addition to serving at the tabernacle and later temple, it also lists other duties of the priests such as quarantining people that were unclean or had infectious diseases and limiting exposure to other health hazards. All of these duties comprise the vast majority of the 27 chapters of Leviticus. However, there is one verse in chapter 10 that almost seems like an afterthought. Verse 11 directs them to teach the Israelites the Law of Moses. There are no details on how they were to do this as was the case with the other duties; just a general command.

Leviticus 10:8 Then the Lord said to Aaron, 9 "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 10 You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses."

Once they entered the promised land, there was also a copy of the Law written on the stones of an alter on Mt. Ebal near the future city of Samaria.

Joshua 8:30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, 31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. 32 There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua copied on stones the law of Moses, which he had written. ... 34 Afterwards, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them.

In summary, the teaching of the Law was the responsibility of the parents and the priests. In his book, Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Alfred Edersheim gives a great deal of information on how this was to be accomplished; specifically the chapters on the upbringing of children (chapter 7) and the education of children (chapter 8). Edersheim references many sources on how Hebrew children were to be educated in the Law of Moses including passages from Josephus, the Apocrypha, the Talmud and the Old Testament (i.e. Exodus 12:25-28).

Unfortunately, this critical education was not consistently taught contributing to many periods where the Israelites turned away from the worship of God to worshipping idols and other sins. They suffered under numerous curses for their sins over a period of 1,000 years. It wasn't until the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity around 500 B.C. that schools were established in synagogues and children were consistently schooled in the Mt. Sinai covenant.

Education

Enforcement

Reading through the attached list of commandments, we become aware of the serious consequences of sin. As stated above, seven of the ten commandments carry the death penalty. These seven, plus other commands that carry the death penalty, are highlighted in yellow. Other penalties include being cut-off from the people, restitution for theft of up to four or five times what was stolen, and an eye for an eye. Serving as a judge must have been a grave responsibility.

The initial structure for enforcement of the Law dates back shortly after the Israelites had left Mt. Sinai. They didn't like camping nor the provisions God provided to take care of their needs. They had been greatly blessed when God freed them from slavery and made a covenant with them to be his treasured possession: a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). However, they lacked gratitude and God became angry. "Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and his anger was aroused." (Numbers 11:1) They were especially unhappy with the manna God provided for food and were constantly complaining to Moses. "Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled." (Numbers 11:10) Moses didn't like being in the middle between the whiny people and God and asked for help. God had already worked with Moses to appoint leaders for the tribes, clans, families and houses. (Numbers chapter 1) Moses was told to select 70 elders from these men and bring them before God.

Numbers 11:16 The Lord said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Make them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.

A Jewish website, chabad.org, states that this group of leaders was the original Sanhedrin; the high court of Israel. (It was the Sanhedrin that later condemned Jesus to death - Mark 15:1) This group of elders, along with the Levites, were most likely the ones who enforced the Mosaic Law during the 40 years in the desert. Once the Israelites settled the land of Canaan, each town was to have its own group of elders who were responsible for keeping the people in line. Some examples of these courts proceedings in Deuteronomy include:

Parents of a son who is immoral, wasteful and a drunkard. A son who will not listen to his parents when they discipline him. They were to bring him to the elders at the gate of his town where all the men of his town shall stone him to death. (21:18 - 21)
A man takes a wife and, after the wedding night, decides he doesn't like her. He slanders the wife by declaring he discovered she was not a virgin. In this case the parents of the girl should bring the proof of her virginity to the elders of the town and they shall take the man and punish him for bearing false witness. (22:17 - 18)
Men who have a dispute are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him flogged in his presence. (25:1 - 2)
Under the law, a widow who does not have a son when her husband dies cannot remarry outside of the family. The dead husband's brother is to marry her and produce a son to fulfill the duty of his brother. However, if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate for help. The elders of his town shall summon the brother and talk to him. If he still refuses, the elders shall submit him and his family to public shame. (25:5 -10)

(See also Numbers 25:1-9 and Numbers 15:32-36.)

In conclusion, the administration of justice for individuals would have been an enormous task for the town elders. There were well over 1,000,000 Israelites in the exodus from Egypt. (Numbers 1 records the number of men over the age of twenty, excluding the Levites, at 603,500. Add to this 22,300 Levite males over 1 month old (Numbers 3:43) and there were approximately 625,850 Israelite males. Adding the estimated number of women and children brings the estimated total to well over 1,000,000.) During the 40 years of wandering in the desert, the adults that were over the age of 19 had died and a new census of men over 19 was taken when they were getting ready to cross the Jordan river and enter the promised land. Numbers 26 shows this number to be about 600,000 men. Adding women and children and the total number of Israelites was still well over 1,000,000.

The failure of the education and enforcement structures to help the Israelites stay faithful to the Law of Moses resulted in harsh punishments as they continually abandoned the worship of God and turned to idols. We will look at this history in the next chapter

Enforcement

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 5: The Israelites and the Law: Faithfulness In Following the Law

Chapter 5 Sections Include:

General Information

The Old Testament records the history of the Israelites and how faithful they were in following the Law of Moses. We can divided this history into three parts. The first part covers the period when the Israelites had conquered most of Canaan and were ruled by twelve judges. This history is recorded in the book of Judges.

The second part covers the period when the Israelites were ruled by kings. This period began around 1050 BC with the reign of King Saul and ended in 586 BC when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. This history is recorded in the books of first and second Samuel, first and second Kings and first and second Chronicles. The kingdom of Israel divided around 930 BC with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the south and the rest of the tribes in the north. The northern tribes had their capital in Shechem in the tribal territory of Ephraim and, with few exceptions, worshipped false gods until they were conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Thus, for the period after the split, we will only focus on the two tribes that had their capital in Jerusalem and were know as the kingdom of Judah. (The term Israel has two meanings. One is the descendents of the 12 sons of Jacob which became the 12 tribes. The other is the northern 10 tribes who were also called Israel. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin, being descendents of Jacob (aka Israel) are technically part of the kingdom of Israel: just not part of the Israel that had its capital initially in Shechem. These two tribes are called Jews, named after the tribe of Judah. The capitol for the northern kingdom was later moved to Tirzah during the reign of Baasha (1 Kings 15:21 & 33) and then to Samaria during the reign of Omri (1 Kings 16:23-24) To add to this confusion, the people of the northern kingdom were also known as Ephraim. (Isaiah 7:17)

The third part covers the period beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and ends with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Bible books that record this history include Ezra and Nehemiah, the last two history books of the Old Testament, and the four gospels and the book of Acts in the New Testament. Nehemiah was written around 400 BC. The remaining years of the third period can be found in various books such as Antiquity of the Jews and The Wars of the Jews by Flavius Josephus, Bible History by Alfred Edersheim, and the first and second books of Maccabees found in the Catholic Bible.

CH 5: General Information

The Time of Judges

The Israelites remained faithful to the Law throughout the life of Joshua and during the next generation. However, the third generation grew up without knowing God or what he had done for Israel. They begin worshipping false gods and God became angry and removed his protection over them. He also decreed the Israelites would not possess the remaining lands of the Canaanites.

Judges 2:20 “Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died.”

Throughout this period of Israel’s history the twelve tribes were ruled by a series 12 judges who were appointed by God. The judges of Israel were people of great faith and are the heroes in many of the bible stories read today such as the accounts of Gideon and Samson. During this time, lasting about 400 years, the Israelites fell into a pattern of obedience and rebellion. The Israelites were faithful for about 300 of those years and received the blessing of the covenant. However, those years were interspersed with periods where the Israelites were unfaithful to the covenant and were conquered and enslaved by their enemies. This part of their history is summarized in the second chapter of Judges. We see a clear failure of the education of the Mosaic Law and covenant (v10) as well as a failure to enforce the Law.

Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshipped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the Lord to anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 In his anger against Israel the Lord handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. 15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress. 16 Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshipped them. Unlike their fathers, they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the Lord’s commands. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshipping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

The Time of Judges

The Time of Kings

At the end of the time of Judges, the Israelites demanded a king to rule over them. The first king was Saul. To his credit, he did not lead Israel into the worship of idols and false gods; Israel remained faithful during his time. However, he was proud and lacked faith. He disobeyed a direct order from God to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions after God gave him the victory over them in battle. This was important because God wanted to remove all of the temptation for Israel to worship the false gods of the Amalekites. As a consequence, the Lord withdrew his favor from Saul and chose David to replace him.

David, was a man after God’s own heart and one of Israel’s greatest leaders. Although he made mistakes, his faith and trust in God was strong and God blessed him. David consolidated the tribes of Israel under his rule and then expanded the kingdom by defeating the Philistines and other surrounding kingdoms. He established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and brought the Ark of the Covenant there. Israel remained faithful to God during his reign and did not worship idols or false gods.

David's son, Solomon, became the next king of Israel. His greatest accomplishment was to fulfill the dream of his father, David, and build the temple in Jerusalem. He was passionate and faithful to God when he first took the throne. Early in his reign, God came to Solomon in a dream and offered him anything he wanted. Solomon did not ask for a long life, great wealth or victory over his enemies; he only asked for a discerning heart and to distinguish between right and wrong so he could be a good ruler. God was very pleased with his request and not only gave him wisdom, but also promised him greater riches and honor than any other king. (1 Kings 3:5-14) True to his word, God blessed Solomon above all other kings on earth:

2 Chronicles 9:22 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 23 All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 24 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift— articles of silver and gold, and robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules. ... 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.

Sadly, Solomon allowed himself to be corrupted by wealth and power and did not remain faithful to the covenant. Against God’s commands, (Deuteronomy 7:1-4) he married hundreds of foreign wives who persuaded him to build places of worship (called high places) for their false gods and join them in their pagan rituals. He turned away from God and led the nation into worshiping idols and false gods (1 Kings 11:1-10). As a consequence, God became angry with him and decided to divide the kingdom of Israel during the first year of the reign of his son, Rehoboam. As noted above, ten of the tribes broke away and established a northern kingdom with the capitol in Shechem in the territory of Ephraim. They anointed Jeroboam, the son of one of Solomon’s officials, as their king.

Jeroboam was an evil man and led the ten tribes into terrible sins. The evil practices were continued by his successors for the next 258 years. God had patience with them and sent prophets to turn them from their evil, but they did not repent (2 Kings 17:13). They worshipped golden calf idols they had made along with Baal and Asherah, the goddess of fertility. They worshipped the stars, practiced divination, and sacrificed their sons and daughters to false gods by throwing them into sacrificial fires (2 Kings 17:16-17). When they refused to repent, God, in 722 B.C., allowed Assyria to conquer and enslave them (2 Kings 17:18-23). When the Assyrians conquered a kingdom they would relocate the people to other areas of the kingdom and, at the same time, bring in people from parts of the empire. As a result, Israel intermarried with these other races and eventually lost their identity as the ten tribes of Israel. (Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Time of Jesus The Messiah, Chapter 1) It should be noted that a number of Israelites from the ten tribes wanted nothing to do with the rejection of God and moved to areas in Judah shortly after the split. They kept their tribal identity even though they lost their land in the northern kingdom.

The two remaining tribes, Judah and Benjamin, were almost as bad. Starting with Rehoboam, only 8 of the remaining 20 kings were faithful to God. (Some were evil and later repented and turned to God. Some started out faithful to God but later turned to evil. The 8/20 statistic is based on the faithfulness of each king at the end of their lives.)

The following table shows the kings of Judah, the dates of their reign, if they were faithful at the end of their lives and if the people were faithful under their reign.

The Time of Kings

The Kings of Judah

#	King	Dates	King Faithful?	People Faithful?	Notes
1	Saul	1050 BC 1010 BC	No	Yes
2	David	1010-970	Yes	Yes
3	Solomon	970-930	Yes then No	Unknown	Built high places (for worship of false gods) for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab & for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. Did the same for all his foreign wives.
4	Rehoboam	930-913	Yes	Yes	The kingdom divides in 930 BC. Rehoboam does not destroy the high places.
5	Abijah	913-910	Yes then No	Unknown	Did not destroy the high places
6	Asa	910-869	Yes	Yes	Removed the foreign altars and the high places and commanded Judah to seek the Lord
7	Jehoshaphat	872-848	Yes	No	Removed some of the high places, sent Levites to all of Judah to teach the Law, sent Levites & heads of the tribes to all of Judah to administer justice
8	Jehoram	848-841	No	No	Built high places. Married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab & Jezebel as part of treaty between Judah & Israel
9	Ahaziah * #	841-841	No	Unknown	Son of Jehoram & Athaliah. Ruled one year and was killed. Used house of Ahab as advisors.
10	Athaliah*	841-835	No	Unknown	Wife of Jehoram. Tried to kill the line of David including her sons & grandsons - would have combined kingdoms under Ahab. She was executed & some of the high places were destroyed.
11	Joash*	835-796	Yes then No	No	Son of Ahaziah; hidden from Athaliah. God sent Zechariah (the priest) to warn Judah regarding idolatry but Joash had him stoned.
12	Amaziah*	796-767	Yes then No	No	Did not destroy the high places. The people continued to worship idols.
13	Uzziah or Azariah	792-740	Yes	No	Did not destroy the high places. God gave him leprosy when he tried to burn incense in the Temple
14	Jotham	750-735	Yes	No	Did not destroy the high places. The people continued to worship idols.
15	Ahaz	732-715	No	No	Worshipped idols, built high places, offered his sons in the fire, shut the doors of the temple. God sent Israel to conquer Judah and Pekah killed 120,000 Jews in one day.
16	Hezekiah	715-686	Yes	Yes	Destroyed temples to false gods in all of Judea, reopened the temple.
17	Manasseh	697-642	No then Yes	No then Yes	Set up alters & an idol in God's temple. Rebuilt temples for false gods. Sacrificed his sons to false gods. After God punished him he repented, turned back to God and ordered Judah to worship God.
18	Amon	642-640	No	Unknown
19	Josiah	640-609	Yes	Yes	Destroyed all the high places in Judah and Israel. Restored the temple and found a copy of the Law. Led Judah to repentance
20	Jehoahaz	609-609	No	No
21	Jehoiakim	609-598	No	No
22	Jehoiachin	598-597	No	No
23	Zedekiah	597-586	No	No	The leaders, the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord

Judah becomes a vassal of Babylon around 605 The best Jews are taken to Babylon.
The remaining Jews later rebel and Jerusalem is destroyed in 586.
Only 9 of 23 kings are faithful (Saul to Zedekiah) based on their actions at the end of their life.
Dates are based on Nave's Topical Bible and data in 1st & 2nd Kings starting with 586 and working backwards.
There were overlapping reigns between Asa & Jehoshaphat (3yrs), Amaziah & Uzziah (25 yrs), Uzziah & Jotham (10 yrs) and Hezekiah & Manasseh (11 yrs).

* These kings were omitted from the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1

# Grandson of Jehoshaphat and Ahab, Nephew of Ahaziah of Israel.

As we can see from the table:

The high places built by Solomon remained standing during the reigns of Rehoboam and Abijah; a period of 20 years
Asa and Jehoshaphat destroyed the high places. They reigned for 66 years
Jehoram rebuilt the high places with additional high places being built by Ahaz. They remained standing until the reign of Hezekiah; a period of 168 years
The temple had been damaged during the previous reigns. Hezekiah repaired the temple and reopened it for worshipping God and destroyed all of the high places in Judea. He reigned for 29 years
Manasseh rebuilt the high places, set up alters & an idol in the temple and offered his sons as sacrifices to the false gods. After God punished him, he repented and turned back to God. He also ordered Judah to worship God. However, the high places remained standing during his reign as well as the reign of Amon; a period of 57 years
King Josiah restored the temple which had been abandoned and the worship of God forgotten. One of the priests working on the temple found a copy of the Mosaic Law. After hearing it for the first time, Josiah led Judah in repentance and destroyed all the high places in Judah and Israel. He also slaughtered the priests of the false gods and eradicated all of the mediums, wizards, and temple prostitutes. Josiah reigned for 31 years.
After the death of Josiah, the remaining four kings, along with the people, were all unfaithful and worshipped idols and false gods. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 586 BC.

The fall of Judah to the Babylonians happened over 19 years and in three phases. Judah became a vassal of Babylon in 605 BC. At that time, Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, brought certain members of Judah’s nobility including Daniel the prophet, to Babylon. In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar brought the king (Jehoiachin), 3,000 princes, 7,000 fighting men, and 1,000 artisans to Babylon (2 Kings 24:14-16). The Jews from these first two captivities were treated fairly well in Babylon and were allowed to open businesses, build houses, own servants, and even hold positions in the government (i.e. Daniel & Nehemiah). Eight years later, the remaining Jews in Jerusalem rebelled and Nebuchadnezzar responded by destroying Jerusalem and the temple and taking the survivors into Babylon as slaves in 586 BC. The Babylonians, who had conquered the Assyrians in 621 BC, were now rulers over a large empire that included all of the lands and people that had once been the nation of Israel. The war is recorded in 2 Chronicles 36.

It is clear that the teaching and enforcement of the Mosaic Law was forgotten during most of the time from Rehoboam to the fall of Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat was one of the few kings who saw this as a priority and he sent out his officials and certain Levites to teach. "They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went round to all the towns of Judah and taught the people." (2 Chronicles 17:9). He also sent out men to administer justice:

2 Chronicles 19:5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. ... 8 In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the Lord and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. 9 He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. 10 In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin. 11 "Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you.

Sadly, this effort died shortly after Jehoram, Jehoshaphat's son, became king. He rebuilt the high places, married the daughter of king Ahab of Israel and led Judah back into idolatry.

As we read about the failure of Israel and Judah to stay faithful to the Mt. Sinai covenant, it's easy to shake our heads and, with perfect hindsight, wonder how they could be so stupid. During the 1000+ years they spent trying to live up to their promise to God on Mt. Sinai, they continually broke the covenant and received the curses of the Law for their sins. What was so attractive about idols and fake gods that they would rather worship them instead of the one true God? Why would they risk incurring the wrath of God when their history told them that He was always 100% faithful to his promises; both the curses for sins and the blessings for faithfulness?

Over the years I have had several theories that tried to explain their bad decisions. They didn't like being controlled, they didn't like having their sins hanging over their heads (under the Mosaic Law their sins were unpunished but not forgiven until the death of Christ (see Hebrews, chapter 10)), or they didn't think the rules of God were any fun. After thinking about this for many years, I believe the Bible has the best answer. The battle they fought against sin is the same one that we fight today. It is a spiritual struggle between our mind that wants to serve God and our body that wants to serve sin. We looked at this in the beginning of this paper (p 3)where Paul describes it in the book of Romans.

Romans 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

God created us to be blessed when we follow His commands. For example, our sex drive was created to strengthen the bond between a husband and wife and bless us with children. When we submit this drive to God's purpose, it is one of the greatest earthly blessings we have, forming part of the basis for a rich life with loving and meaningful relationships. When we submit our sex drive to every pleasure we see such as pornography, adultery or one-night stands, the drive becomes a curse. We miss out on the blessings of a committed relationship with a spouse that partners with us in our service to God.

The temples of Asherah, the goddess of fertility, that were built in Judea, employed male and female temple prostitutes as part of the ritual orgies as they worshipped the life force. Many of the other false gods the Israelites worshipped also had shrine prostitutes and orgies. Worshipping them involved satisfying any pleasure they desired. It was all about short-term wants of the flesh and never about any meaningful long-term relationships. It is the same today. I don't know of any temples of Asherah that are still in existence, however, some people today create their own god of fertility when they say that a loving god would never condemn someone to hell for having sex with as many people as possible. After all, it was this loving God who gave them the body parts and sex drive; so how could it be wrong? Sadly, I think most people bypass even this process and do whatever they want; rejecting the very existence of God. What people don't realize, is when they do these things they are worshipping Satan. When they offer their earthly lives to the evil one, they are committing the suicide of their eternal souls.

Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey— whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

So, as we look back at the struggle of the Israelites against sin, let's have compassion and empathy. Let's also have love, compassion and empathy for those around us that fall to these sins. People have not changed and we go through the same battle each day as we seek to do what is right.

The Time From the Babylonian Captivity Until Christ

The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple and being taken into captivity by the Babylonians, had a profound impact on the Jews. They desired to reestablish their relationship with God and repented of their sins. While they were self-ruled, the Jews kept gravitating to the worship of false gods. It's ironic that during the 70 years of captivity, they refused to worship the false gods of the Babylonians; even to the point of death. (see Daniel and the lion's den - Daniel chapter 6 and Shadrach, Meshach and, Abednego and the fiery furnace - Daniel chapter 3). They would never worship idols or false gods again.

A great example of this is recorded by Josephus in chapter 32 of "Wars of the Jews". Around 65 AD, King Herod had erected a golden eagle over the great gate of the temple in Jerusalem. The eagle was the idol of Jupiter, the high god of the Romans. Devout Jews took axes and cut down and destroyed the eagle in the middle of the day. They were arrested and brought before Herod who had them burned alive. The men knew they were going to die, but they were joyful because they had destroyed the idol and would go to a better place after they were dead. This was the passion the Jews had in rejecting the worship of idols.

The Jews longed to be freed from Babylonian captivity and prayed to God that He would deliver them. Their prayers were answered when the Persian king, Cyrus, conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and liberated the enslaved populations that were held captive. The return of the Jews from captivity is recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah. The first Jews, numbering about 50,000, returned to Jerusalem in 535 BC (70 years from when Judaea became a vassal of Babylon). The temple was rebuilt and the sacrifices were resumed in 515 BC.

The Jews who chose to return to Jerusalem were only a small fraction of the total population of the Jews in Babylon. The wealthiest and most powerful of the Jews, mostly from the first of the two groups taken to Babylon, chose to remain behind. Over the 600 years from the Babylonian captivity to the destruction of Jerusalem, a strong bond formed between the Jews in Babylon and Jerusalem (“The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” Edersheim, Chapter 1). Both cities were great centers of Jewish scholarship and, after Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., it was the Jews in Babylon who enabled the Jewish religion to continue. Babylon was the center of Judaism for centuries and, by the sixth century A.D., the Babylonian Talmud developed greater significance for Judaism than the Palestinian Talmud. (Jewish web site)

There were three significant developments following the return of the Jews and the rebuilding of the temple. The first was the emergence of a new group of teachers of the Law. In 458 B.C. a Levite priest named Ezra, a widely respected teacher of the Law in Babylon, moved to Jerusalem and began teaching the people and restoring their covenant relationship to God through obedience to the Mosaic Law (Ezra 7:10 and Nehemiah 8). Ezra and his fellow priests wanted to teach the Jews the Law to help them maintain a close relationship with the Lord and thus prevent another national curse. Ezra and his successors attracted many devout Israelites who had a passion for learning the Law. If it were within their power, Judah would never again worship idols and receive the punishments of the Mt. Sinai covenant.

The second significant development was the emergence of synagogues as centers of teaching and worship. During the Babylonian captivity, synagogues were created as places for the Jews to worship since they could not worship at the temple. After the temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem, there were still a very large number of Jews that were disbursed throughout the world. Local synagogues were a place where they could go to maintain their relationship with God and others who shared their faith. The synagogues also filled the need for a formal school for Jewish children. The teachers coming out of Ezra's school were a natural fit for the leaders needed in these synagogues. Thus, between the teaching children received at home and in the Synagogue, they had a good understanding of the Mosaic Law. By the time of Christ, God's people had settled in every city that was controlled by Rome and most of them had established synagogues.

The third important development that occurred during the captivity was that the Jews forgot Hebrew and spoke Aramaic. The use of Hebrew became limited to priests, scholars, the synagogue, and the temple. After the death of Alexander the Great, his kingdom was divided among his generals. In this division, Ptolemy became the ruler over Egypt, Libya and the Arab territories near Egypt. Ptolemy saw the importance of preserving knowledge and built the library at Alexandria. Ptolemy II learned of the Hebrew bible and, wanting a Greek version for the library, sent to Jerusalem for scholars to write the translation. The resulting book, called the Septuagint, was completed around 250 BC.

Scholars differ on how pervasive the Septuagint was in first century synagogues, Jewish homes and Christian churches. Jewish web sites such as chabad.org and other web sites such as evidenceforchristianity.org state that the original Hebrew was the only version of the Old Testament used and read in the synagogues. Other web sites such as bible.ca claim that 99% of first century Jews could not speak or read Hebrew and used the Greek version in their Synagogues in and outside of Judea beginning in 280 BC. Regardless of the merits of this debate, it's apparent that Jesus accepted the Septuagint since He quoted from it in His teachings. It doesn't make sense that Jesus preached in Hebrew since the vast majority of His audience could not understand it.

The web page "http://www.scripturecatholic.com/septuagint.html" lists 76 instances of direct quotes from the Septuagint in the New Testament. Last but not least, the original New Testament was written in Greek.

I believe the Septuagint was used in the first century synagogues and Jewish homes. With Greek being the most common language throughout the Roman empire, it enabled the first-century Christian evangelists to win many Jewish and Gentile converts (Zondervan Bible Dictionary). Thus, the dispersion and the Septuagint provided a foothold in virtually every city in the world to start a Christian church.

Over time, the scholars at the school of Ezra had disagreements over how the Law should be understood and applied to their daily lives and eventually three distinct groups formed around these doctrines. These were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. Although the three groups had members from all twelve Israelite tribes, the Sadducees were mostly a sect of priests and the wealthy. The smallest group, the Essenes, isolated themselves so they could be fully devoted to obeying the Law. A community of Essenes lived in the Qumran monastery located on the North shore of the Dead Sea. This area came into the spotlight when archaeologists found the Dead Sea scrolls there.

The Pharisees, the largest of the three sects, were made up of rigid and legalistic members. The Law had remained unchanged for 1,000 years, however this new group added to it by developing extensive rules for living that Jesus described as putting heavy loads on men’s shoulders (Matthew 23:4). Christ criticized them as being arrogant, hypocritical, and without love and pronounced seven woes on them in Matthew 23. They became obsessed with obeying every detail of the Law and fell into the trap of equating this with righteousness. They were arrogant and full of self-righteousness forgetting the main goal of the Law was to love the Lord.

In 200 BC, the Jews were ruled by the Greek/Seleucid Empire who were determined to eradicate the Hebrew religion. They brutalized the Jews killing anyone who tried to worship God including killing babies that had been circumcised. During this time the Sadducees, comprised of wealthy Jews and Levitical priests, caved to this pressure and began worshipping Greek gods; even to the point of setting up an idol of Zeus in the Lord's temple and worshipping it. The Jewish people rebelled and won their freedom in 167 BC (the Maccabean revolt) but the credibility of the priests had been damaged and the Pharisees gained a preeminent role as spiritual leaders of the Jews. By the time of Christ, the Sadducees controlled the Temple and the Pharisees controlled the Synagogues. These two groups were the recognized authority in matters of the Law and made up the seventy-one members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court that tried Jesus and sentenced him to death.

After the return from Babylon, the Jews had finally mastered the temptation to serve idols and false gods. Sadly, that wasn't their only temptation. By the time Christ came into the world, the Sadducees and Pharisees had changed the emphasis of the Law so much that they rejected Jesus. The Sadducees were concerned with maintaining their wealth and power. They were afraid of Christ because he might spark a rebellion against the Romans (Judah became a vassal of Rome in 63 BC). The Pharisees had become so obsessed with the rules of the Law that they forgot what it was for. They tried to obtain righteousness by obeying the Law and lost sight of the fact that righteousness only comes from loving God and having faith in him. It’s ironic that this principle was included in the scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21) the Pharisees wore in little leather boxes on their forehead and arm called phylacteries. The phylacteries contained the passage, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

What Was the Law and the Mt. Sinai Covenant Really About?

Before we move on to the covenant of Christ, it would be worthwhile to look at the Mt. Sinai covenant from a 5,000 feet perspective. What was God's purpose in structuring the covenant the way He did? Did He expect the Israelites to live perfect, or near perfect lives or was there some other objective He had in mind? The answer to these questions is that God never had a goal or expectation for the Israelites to live perfect or near perfect lives. In reality, this is impossible.

I believe God's purpose in entering into the Mt. Sinai covenant with the Israelites was to form a relationship with them and guide them into righteousness. God states this to Moses when the Israelites reached Mt. Sinai after they were freed from Egyptian slavery.

Exodus 19:3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

This holiness was to be achieved through Faith. Contrary to what the Pharisees believed, righteousness would never be achieved through observing the Mosaic Law. This truth is clearly stated by Paul in his letters to the Romans and the Galatians.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no-one will be justified.

The purpose of the commands in the Mosaic Law was to define sins. (Romans 7:7). As the Israelites left Mt. Sinai, they would learn about the Law and start to conform their lives as they obeyed the commands. While there were some sins that were so bad they carried the death penalty, the vast majority of them had lesser consequences. When they sinned by breaking one of the commands, they were to bring an animal to the priest to sacrifice. The sinner saw the blood of the animal flow out as payment for the sin. Under this process, the sinner would not be punished by God for the sin even thought it could not be forgiven. (Hebrews 10: 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.)

As the Israelites lived with their unforgiven yet unpunished sins, they were faithful and obedient to the of the covenant and received all of the blessings. The blessings were contingent on their obedience, which included the acts of humbling themselves, repenting and submitting an offering when they sinned. Doing these things kept them holy in the eyes of God because of their faith in Him. Over time, their trust in God would increase, which would strengthen their desire to be close to Him and they would come to love Him. After their 40 year journey through the desert, God's final words to them before they entered the promised land included this encouragement:

Deuteronomy 30:11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it. 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

What God was asking them to do was not something impossible like live a perfect life; only Christ was able to do that. He was asking them to stay in a relationship with Him and be His treasured and blessed possession; something God said was not too difficult. He would be their God and they would be His people (Leviticus 26:12).

As a whole, the nation of Israel was unfaithful and broke the covenant. However, there was still a vast number of individuals who did remain faithful and have been welcomed into heaven.

The Impact of the Law of Good and Evil During the Age of the Mt. Sinai Covenant

Another difference between the two covenants is their duration and authority. As explained above, the Law of Moses was the basis for a temporary covenant and it's authority was limited to the earthly lives of the people living under it. The Law of Good and Evil is eternal. It was created by God before the creation of the heavens and the Earth and all people from Adam and Eve forward will be judged by it when we stand before the Lord. The Law of Good and Evil not only includes the authoritative definitions of sins, it includes the payment for our sins (eternal death) and the provision that this debt can be paid by the life of another (the crucifixion of Jesus). It also includes the positive commands of love and the goal of an eternal relationship between God and mankind.

Thus, the Israelites, while being under the Mt. Sinai covenant, were also under the Law of Good and Evil. When they stole something from their neighbor, they were subject to the earthly punishment of the Law of Moses (i.e. restitution). They were also subject to the punishment of eternal death based on the Law of Good and Evil. This gave the Israelites a tremendous advantage over other nations because they had knowledge of what was in the Law of Good and Evil.

Romans 3:1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. ... 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

What about all the other people? We have already looked at the principle that God only holds us responsible for things that we know are sins. The answer is found in the first chapter of Romans. We can see that all people were aware of the existence of God as the creator of the world. Yet many of them chose to ignore Him and worship idols and false gods instead; a sin under the Law of Good and Evil. They will have to answer for their sins on the day of judgment.

Romans 1: 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

So if everyone has sinned, and all sin is punished by eternal death under the Law of Good and Evil, how is anyone saved? As stated above, they are saved by the righteousness that comes by faith. The children of Israel were God's chosen people. He was their God and they were His people. Even though they never obtained righteousness by observance of the Law of Moses, living under the Mt. Sinai covenant, they were in a close relationship with God. They learned to trust Him and love Him and have faith in his promises. For those that were faithful, this faith is what made them righteous in His eyes. The gentiles obtained righteousness the same way: by trusting God and having faith in Him.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

Thus, all people, from Adam and Eve until the time the birth of the New Testament church was complete, were under the law of sin and death but could be found righteous by their faith in God. They had the hope of salvation by the promised Messiah who would save them from their sins by offering His life to pay their penalty. They died waiting for the resurrection and an eternal home in Heaven.

Hebrews 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

When Jesus died, He went into Heaven and offered His blood on the altar there to atone for the sins of the world. This included the sins of the saints from the Old Testament as well as the sins for the saints under the New Testament covenant of Christ.

Hebrews 9:11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. ... 24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

As we look at the Israelites in the age of the Old Testament, we see a people that struggled to be in a relationship with God. We can find hope from their lives because we also struggle in a spiritual war against sin and evil. Those that were able to keep their faith are now in Heaven. There are no more temptations or sin since their fleshly bodies are left behind in the grave. I pray that we will join them when Christ comes to call His people home.

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 6: The Covenant of Christ

Chapter 6 Sections Include:

The Covenant

The books of prophecy in the Old Testament record how God pleaded with Israel to stay faithful to the Law. However, the prophets also wrote about the Messiah and the new covenant God would make with His people. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about this in Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31-34.

31 "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. 33 "This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

The big message in the New Testament covenant is the forgiveness of our sins. It is what mankind was waiting for since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. I believe this passage is also telling us that God's Law of Good and Evil is the law that is bound to the covenant of Christ. The sins that are forgiven by the blood of Jesus are those defined by this law. Under the covenant of Christ, the Law of Good and Evil is in the hearts and minds of His people.

God's plan for mankind was for us to be in a relationship with Him just as Adam and Eve were in a relationship with God before sin entered into the world. It took thousands of years to complete, but God's plan was fulfilled with the forgiveness of our sins through the sacrificial blood of Christ. Our relationship with God is infinitely better than the relationship between God and Adam and Eve. The basis of their relationship was their ignorance of sin. They were not accountable for what they did not know. (Romans 5:13) Thus, they could be in the presence of God without being destroyed.

We are in a relationship with God with our eyes wide open. We have full knowledge of good and evil just as Adam and Eve did when they ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The difference is we have our sins forgiven if we have entered into the New Testament covenant. We can be in the presence of God without fear because the blood of Jesus has washed away our sins. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

The Covenant

The New Testament and the Kingdom of Heaven

The New Testament Covenant and the Kingdom of Heaven

When God made His covenant with Abraham, He promised Abraham he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-6). True to His word, the descendants of Abraham included many kings and kingdoms through his son Ishmael and his grandsons Esau and Jacob. However, the kingdom established through Jacob was to be special. This was the nation of Israel that was established as part of the Mt. Sinai covenant shortly after the exodus of Jacobs descendants from Egypt. We can read God's promise to Moses in Exodus 19:

As we have seen in earlier chapters of this paper, the covenant and its promises and curses were tied to the Mosaic Law making it a two-sided covenant. Both God and the Israelites were obligated to perform certain actions. The Mosaic Law was the foundation of the Kingdom of Israel and the relationship between the Israelites and God. The New Testament Covenant is also tied to a kingdom and a law. The kingdom is the Kingdom of Heaven and the law is the Law of Good and Evil.

The kingdom of heaven was prophesied several places in the Old Testament as part of the prophesies of the promised Messiah. The Jews saw this as a time of great blessing when God would dwell with them as He did in the early days of the Mt. Sinai covenant. The Messiah would lead them in battle and they would throw off the yoke of the gentiles who ruled over them and establish a great kingdom. One of the prophesies is in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselors, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

When it was time for Jesus to come to Earth, an angel came to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to tell her she would give birth to the promised messiah. He gave her words of comfort including the promise that Jesus would fulfill the prophesies concerning a kingdom that would never end.

Luke 1: 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end."

However, much to the disappointment of the Jews, the kingdom was not a physical earthly one; it was a spiritual kingdom. We see this in the words of Jesus during his trial before Pilate.

John 18:33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

This type of kingdom that Jesus established was a major source of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders. They were expecting a physical kingdom where they would be powerful high-ranking officials with the Messiah as their king. However, Jesus spent most of His time preaching about what His spiritual kingdom would be like and ministering to the middle and lower class. He did not come to the Pharisees and plan how the new kingdom would be managed and prepare them for their part in it. In fact, His teachings to the spiritual leaders were directed to their arrogance, hypocrisy and hard hearts.

Thus, as Jesus began His ministry, He preached about the spiritual kingdom of Heaven.

The Ministry of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven

When Jesus was 30 years old, it was time for Him to began His ministry. He went to the Jordan river where He was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3) and then went into the desert where he was tempted for 40 days by Satan. Shortly after this He began preaching.

Mt 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

The "kingdom" is the long-awaited kingdom of Christ; the promised Messiah. It is a kingdom where God and Jesus are the rulers and the people who are in it have their sins forgiven, worship Jesus and God and have a home in Heaven after the resurrection. The phrases, kingdom of heaven, kingdom of Christ, and kingdom of God all refer to the same thing. Technically, the kingdom is defined as whatever is under the authority of our Lord.

The kingdom of heaven is in the majority of the teachings of Jesus. For example, most of His parables include the phrase, "the kingdom of heaven is like". The New Testament shows us the kingdom includes Christians if the Holy Spirit dwells within us and we submit to the authority of Jesus. It also includes the church and Heaven since Christ rules over them. Of course, Heaven is the kingdom we all seek to enter. The church exists only on Earth and serves as our temporary kingdom until we are raised to life by Jesus and enter into the eternal kingdom of Heaven.

Christians are in the kingdom of Christ when we enter the covenant and receive the Holy Spirit Into Our Hearts

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that , and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Romans 8: 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. ... 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. ... 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

The Kingdom Includes the Church

Colossians 1:13. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

The Kingdom Includes Heaven

Mt 25:31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘

The book of Hebrews compares the Mt. Sinai Covenant to the New Testament Covenant of Christ. Chapter 12 describes the terror the Israelites felt when God came down onto the mountain to establish the covenant and the kingdom of Israel. We see how serious our choice is when we decide if we will enter the kingdom or not. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to approach the kingdom of heaven with thankfulness, awe and reverence.

Let's look at the law that is used by Christ in His kingdom.

The Ministry of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven

The Law of Good and Evil and the Covenant of Christ

As Jesus began preaching the kingdom of heaven, He did not teach the Law of Moses. The laws He taught were from God's Law of Good and Evil. Here are some examples:

Matthew 19:3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" 4 "Haven’t you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’, 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 7 "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" 8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

In each of these passages, Jesus presents a law from the Mt. Sinai covenant and replaces it with the original complete version from God's Law of Good and Evil.

I believe the commandments in the Law of Moses were all taken from the Law of Good and Evil. However, we can see from these examples that the Law of Moses was somewhat watered down to make it easier for the Israelites to follow. Thus, the Law of Moses allowed the Israelites to hate their enemies; the Law of Good and Evil defines hate as a sin and commands us to love everyone; including our enemies. The Law of Moses allowed the Israelites to lust after a woman; the Law of Good and Evil defines this as a sin.

Thus, the Law of Good and Evil is the one that we are all under in the kingdom of heaven. It is the law that will be used to judge our actions when we stand before Christ.

(As a side-note, it's interesting that Jesus never taught against idolatry. The four gospel accounts do not include the words idol or idolatry; not even once. There are a total of four verses in the New Testament that preach against the sin of worshipping idols (1Corinthians 10:14, Galatians 5:20, Colossians 3:5 and 1Peter 4:3). The sin which caused the downfall of the Israelites for so many generations was not an issue during the time of Christ. The four verses denouncing the sin of idolatry are written to gentiles. Much of the non-Jewish world worshipped idols during the time the New Testament church was born.)

Why We Don't Have a Complete Book of the Law of Good and Evil: A Theory

It was stated earlier that I don't know of any place where the complete Law of Good and Evil has written down. I believe God has a good reason for this. He never meant the New Testament Covenant nor His relationship with mankind to be based on a detailed list of rules. Instead, the New Testament focuses on our development as a follower of Christ. We are given goals such as having strong faith, loving others and loving God and Jesus. Overcoming sin is a result of seeking those goals. Here are some examples:

Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to focus on patterning our lives after Jesus.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Second Peter gives Christians seven thing to add to our initial faith. The first thing to add is virtue. Peter doesn't give us a list of sins that detail the acts of immorality; he simple tells us to develop virtue. Likewise, the third thing we are to develop is self control. We are not told to focus on avoiding sins such as alcoholism, we are encouraged to develop mastery over the excessive desires of our bodies. For example, enjoying wine in moderation is a blessing from God. Drinking to excess is a sin.

2 Peter 1: 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice the last two things we add to our faith are brotherly affection and love. Brotherly affection is translated from the Greek word "philadelphia" meaning love of brothers or sisters. Love is translated from the Greek word "agape" which is the word used to describe the love that God and Jesus have for us. If we have an agape type love for our follow man, we are able to love and forgive those who are our enemies, those who hate us or those who hurt us.

To be sure, the New Testament lists acts that are sins. Jesus warned us about many sins in His sermons. Many of His parables warned the spiritual leaders of the Jews about the sins of arrogance, pride and placing obstacles in the path of those who were trying to live in a close relationship with God. Other parables warned people about rejecting the call to enter into the covenant and kingdom of Christ. Most of the New Testament letters warned Christians about sins and temptations that they were dealing with. However, these sins were often listed as a result of a lifestyle spent serving the flesh. Conversely, righteous acts were listed as a result of a lifestyle dedicated to serving Christ.

The book of Galatians tells us to live by the Spirit of Christ. With this focus, we will avoid sinful desires. Success is achieved by focusing on Jesus; not by focusing on avoiding specific sins.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Two more examples are found in the books of Colossians and 1 Peter.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

Why We Don't Have a Complete Bood of the Law of Good and Evil: A Theory

A Warning Against Changing the Law of Good and Evil

The prophesy from Jeremiah promises the Law of Good and Evil is in our minds and written on our hearts as part of the New Testament covenant. Does this mean a person can claim an action is good just because their heart tells them it is? Take adultery as an example. If a man falls in love with his friend's wife and they have an affair, is that a sin? The couple's hearts may tell them the affair is not a sin since they are in love.

A more difficult example is gay relationships. Most of us have one or more friends that are gay. Some of the ones I know are, based on worldly standards, good people and are in long-term committed relationships. They believe they were born gay and that God will not punish them for their sexual orientation.

When I was in graduate school pursuing a degree in clinical psychology, homosexuality was classified as a neurosis. A short time later, the board of the American Psychology Association removed homosexuality as a mental disease and deemed those that practiced the behavior as normal. This happened in the 70's when the makeup of the board changed and included more homosexuals and others who believed the lifestyle was normal.

Since that time, any research proposals that looked into the possibility that people are not born with a "gay gene" have not been funded or have not been accepted for publication in scientific journals. Researchers looking into this question are labeled as homophobes and are rejected by the psychological community. However, the gay community can point to numerous studies they have funded that provide evidence gay people are born gay.

What is the truth regarding homosexuals? Is God fair when He labeled this act as an abomination (Leviticus 18:22)? If our hearts tell us that these people are not sinning, can we trust what we feel? Can we trust our hearts when we believe other acts which are defined as sins in the Bible are now acceptable to God?

Unfortunately, while God has put His Law of Good and Evil in our hearts and minds, our hearts also drive the sinful desires of our flesh. Jesus preached about these desires of the heart in Matthew 15 when He was trying to reach the religious leaders of the Jews who had fallen into sin.

Matthew 15:7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 "‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’" 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. 11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’." 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" 13 He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." 15 Peter said, "Explain the parable to us." 16 "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. 17 "Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’...

Our daily struggle against sin is a battle to resist the sinful desires of our flesh and have a passion for following God's Law and serve Him. Paul states this in a scripture we looked at earlier:

Thus, when we feel an action is good based solely on what our heart tells us, we need to be careful by searching the scriptures to make sure our feeling is valid. The teachings of Jesus and the New Testament letters are the best source for guiding our lives. Another source of information is the Mosaic Law. While the Mosaic Law ended with the Mt. Sinai covenant, the definitions of good and evil found there are still true today. (It should be noted that the ceremonial laws were instructions for worshipping God under the Mt. Sinai covenant and do not apply today. Also, the instructions related to food and disease were rules to keep the Israelites from getting sick and do not define sins.)

By opening our hearts and minds as we study the Bible, we can find truth to guide our lives in our Christian walk. We also open our minds to what the Holy Spirit is telling us as we follow the Law of Good and Evil that is within us. It causes us great sorrow when we think of our friends living in sins that God defines as detestable. We see their souls in danger. Instead if trying to change Law of Good and Evil, our best response is to love them, pray for them to see the truth and lovingly talk to them.

2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Faith is a choice. There is evidence to support the existence of Jesus and God. However, there is also human based knowledge that denies God and Christ. What we believe in and have faith in is up to us. It's the same with the written word of God. It's up to us if we choose to accept the Bible as the word of God which was delivered to men as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. We can also choose to believe what our heart tells us is the truth about good and evil and reject the Bible. I believe that those who reject the Bible create their own God to follow. They are much like those in the Old Testament times who created and worshipped a god of their making. A created god who accepted whatever sins they wanted in their lives.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

A Warning Against Changing the Law of Good and Evil

The Law of Good and Evil From a Spiritual Perspective

The positive side of the Law of Good and Evil includes the indwelling of the Spirit of God within us. The Holy Spirit is the very essence of God just as DNA is the essence of humans. It helps us to grow in our Christian life and become more like our Lord. When we enter into the New Testament covenant of Christ through baptism, our sins are forgiven and we are in a saved state. If we were to die that same day we would be in Heaven with Jesus and God. Thankfully, most of us survive and begin a new life of transformation. During a lifetime of spiritual battles we have successes and failures, but overall we grow more like Christ each day. This is a spiritual battle fought in a spiritual realm and the Holy Spirit helps guide us on our journey.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

To love God and love mankind are the two greatest commandments in the Law of Good and Evil. They are the pinnacle of our growth as a Christian. To love someone enough to die for them, even an enemy, is to have the same love of Jesus. As stated earlier, having a true love for God and people in our hearts eliminates any desire to harm them, degrade them, steal from them, seduce their wives or cheat them.

Romans 13:9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

This love is not a normal thing. It is not in human nature for people to love their enemies and be willing to die for them. It'is possible for us to develop this love only because the Holy Spirit is within us. To have this quality is the result of surrendering our lives to Christ and living for Him guided by the Spirit.

Romans 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.

When we have this love, we have transformed our souls and have taken on a piece of the divine nature of God. We have exceeded the limits of our human existence.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Our life on Earth is just a moment when compared to the eternity of Heaven. There is no greater purpose for our life than serving God and Christ. As we seek to conform our lives based on the Law of Good and Evil, we become a vessel fit for His purpose and, through His power, we are effective and productive in the Kingdom of Christ.

The Law of Good and Evil From a Spiritual Perspective

Final Thoughts

We need God's truth today more than ever. Society will destroy itself if it continues down this path of satisfying every fleshly desire, finding reasons to hate each other and closing their minds to the truth of Jesus. Our hope as a people is in placing our faith in Jesus, surrendering ourselves in service to Him and serving each other in love. One of the most important ways we show this love to others is to share our faith in God. When we accept the Law of Good and Evil as universal absolute truth and the basis that all people will be judged by when we stand before Christ, our love and concern for the souls of those who do not have Christ will motivate us to reach out to them.

Final Thoughts

God's Law of Good and Evil - Appendix:
The Commandments in the Law of Moses

The tables below list the commands of the Mosaic Law and their location(s). The commands were compiled through a detailed reading of Exodus, Leviticus (Lev.), Numbers and Deuteronomy (Deut.). (It's possible that some of the commands were overlooked.) The list excludes most of the commands related to priestly duties (ceremonial commands) focusing instead on commands which are related to right and wrong. Commands which carried the death penalty are noted. I have organized the commands into the following tables:

THE 1ST AND 2ND GREATEST COMMANDMENTS

#	Topic	Command	Exodus 21-23	Lev.	Deut.
1	Love God	Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.			6:4&5
2	Love God	Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.			6:13
3	Love God	And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,			10:12
4	Love God	For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. ... This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.			30: 5-20
5	Love Man	Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself.		19:18
6	Love Man	Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so that you will not share in his guilt.		19:17
7	Love Man	If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him.	23:4
8	Love Man	If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, be sure you help him with it.	23:5
9	Love Man	Details for helping a brother's sheep, ox or donkey be returned to him			22:1-4
10	Love Man	Do not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived in his country.			23:7
11	Love Man	When an alien lives with you in your land, do not ill-treat him.		19:33
12	Love Man	The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt.		19:34

The 1st and 2nd Greatest Commandments

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

#	Topic	Command	Death Penalty?	Exodus 21-23	Exodus 34&35	Lev.	Deut.
1	Idols	You shall have no other gods before me.	Yes	20:3	34:14		5:7
2	Idols	You shall not make for yourself an idol	Yes	20:4	34:17	19:4	5:8-9
3	God's Name	You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God,	Yes	20:7		19:12	5:11
4	Sabbath	Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy	Yes	20:8		19:3	5:12-15
5	Parents	Honour your father and your mother,	Yes	20:12		19:3	5:16
6	Murder	You shall not murder	Yes	20:13			5:17
7	Sex - Adultry	You shall not commit adultery.	Yes	20:14			5:18
8	Steal	You shall not steal.	No	20:15		19:11	5:19
9	Lies	You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.	No	20:16		19:11	5:20
10	Covet	You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour	No	20:17			5:21

The Ten Commandments

ADDITIONAL COMMANDS RELATED TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

#	Topic	Command	Death Penalty?	Exodus 21-23	Exodus 34&35	Lev.	Deut.
1	Idols	Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.	Yes	22:20
2	Idols	Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.	Yes	23:13
3	Idols	Do not bow down before their gods or worship them. You must demolish them	Yes	23:24	34:13
4	Idols	Do not make a covenant with the Canaanites etc. or with their gods. Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.	Yes	23:32-33	34:12&15
5	Idols	Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God.	Yes			18:21
6	Idols	Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death.	Yes			20:3-5
7	Idols	Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God,	Yes				16:21-22
8	Idols	If any has worshipped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun, the moon or the stars - stone them	Yes				17:2-7
9	Idols	Let no-one sacrifice his child in the fire, practise divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, cast spells, is a medium or spiritist, or consult the dead.	Yes				18:9-14
10	Idols	Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol— a thing detestable to the LORD	Yes				27:15
11	God's Name	anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him.	Yes			24:16
12	God's Name	Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.	Yes	22:28
13	Sabbath	Work for 6 days, the 7th day is a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever works on it must be put to death.	Yes		35:2
14	Sabbath	For 6 years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the 7th year let the land lie unused.	Yes	23:10-11
15	Sabbath	Six days do your work, but on the 7th day do not work, so that your animals and slaves may rest	Yes	23:12	34:21
16	Sabbath	Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD.	Yes			19:30
17	Sabbath	Sabbatrh rules	Yes			25:3-7
18	Parents	Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death.	Yes	21:15
19	Parents	Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.	Yes	21:17
20	Parents	Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.	No			19:32
21	Parents	If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. His blood will be on his own head.	Yes			20:9
22	Parents	A stubborn & rebellious son who does not obey his father & mother will be brought to the Elders and stoned.	Yes				21:18-21
23	Parents	Cursed is the man who dishonours his father or his mother.	Yes				27:16
24	Murder	A man who schemes and kills another deliberately shall be put to death.	Yes	21:14
25	Murder	If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death.	Yes			24:17
26	Murder	Cursed is the man who kills his neighbour secretly.	Yes				27:24
27	Murder	Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.	Yes				27:25
28	Murder	Anyone who strikes and kills a man shall be put to death.	Yes	21:12
29	Murder	But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.	Yes	21:23-25
30	Murder	Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death.	Yes			24:21
31	Murder	If a man kills another intentionally and flees to one of the 3 cities, he must be brought back and executed	Yes				19:1-13
32	Sex - Adultery	If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.	Yes			20:10
33	Sex - Adultery	"Do not have sexual relations with your neighbour’s wife and defile yourself with her. "	Yes			18:20
34	Sex - Adultery	If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die.	Yes				22:22
35	Sex - Gay	Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.	Yes			18:22
36	Sex - Gay	A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD detests this.	Yes				22:5
37	Sex - Whores	Don't degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.	Yes			19:29
38	Sex - Whores	If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she must be burned in the fire.	Yes			21:9
39	Sex - Whores	No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine-prostitute.	Yes				23:17
40	Sex - Incest	No-one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. - plus details	Yes			18:6-18
41	Sex - Incest	If a man marries his sister, and they have sexual relations, They must be cut off before the eyes of their people.	Yes			20:17
42	Sex - Incest	Do not have sex with the sister of either your mother or your father, both of you would be held responsible.	Yes			20:19
43	Sex - Incest	If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has dishonoured his uncle. They will die childless.	Yes			20:20
44	Sex - Incest	If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity, they will be childless.	Yes			20:21
45	Sex - Incest	Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonours his father’s bed.	Yes				27:20
46	Sex - Incest	Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.	Yes				27:22
47	Sex - Incest	Cursed is the man who sleeps with his mother-in-law.	Yes				27:23
48	Sex - Animals	Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it.	Yes			18:23
49	Sex - Animals	Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.	Yes	22:19
50	Sex - Animals	Death penalty for sex with animals	Yes			20:15-16
51	Sex - Animals	Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal.	Yes				27:21
52	Sex - Misc.	Death penalty for adultry, incest, gay sex and sex with animals	Yes			20:10-16
53	Sex - Misc.	If a man meets in a town a virgin who is engaged and sleeps with her, stone both of them to death—the girl because she did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife.	Yes				22:23-24
54	Sex - Misc.	If a man meets a girl in the country who is engaged and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die.	Yes				22:25-27
55	Theft	If a man steals an ox or a sheep ..., he must pay back 5 head of cattle for the ox and 4 sheep for the sheep.	No	22:1
56	Theft	If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;	No	22:2
57	Theft	More rules for a livestock thief	No	22:3-4
58	Theft	If a man gives his neighbour silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen the thief must pay back double.	No	22:7
59	Theft	If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine if he stole the items	No	22:8
60	Theft	Do not defraud your neighbour or rob him. "‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.	No			19:13
61	Lies	Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.	No	23:1
62	Lies	Do not go about spreading slander. "‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life.	No			19:16

Additional Commands Related to the Ten Commandments

OTHER COMMANDS RELATED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

#	Topic	Command	Death Penalty?	Exodus 21-23	Lev.	Deut.
1	Cruelty	Do not ill-treat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.	No	22:21
2	Cruelty	Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.	Yes	22:22-23
3	Cruelty	My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will be widows and children fatherless.	Yes	22:24
4	Cruelty	Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling-block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.	No		19:14
5	Sorcery	Do not allow a sorceress to live.	Yes	22:18
6	Sorcery	Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. "‘Do not practise divination or sorcery.	No		19:26
7	Sorcery	Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.	No		19:31
8	Sorcery	I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists, and I will cut him off from his people.	No		20:6
9	Sorcery	A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them.	Yes		20:27
10	Injury	Rules for a man hitting another and injuring him	No	21:18-19
11	Injury	If a man beats his slave and the slave dies, he must be punished,	No	21:20
12	Injury	Rules for a serious injury to a pregnant woman caused by men fighting	No	21:22
13	Injury	Rules for when a man hits and injures his servant	No	21:26-27
14	Injury	If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death	No	21:28
15	Injury	If the bull has history of goring and the owner not kept it penned up, the owner must also must be put to death.	Yes	21:29
16	Injury	Other rules for a dangerous bull	No	21:30-32
17	Injury	Rules for a man who leaves an open pit and an animal is injured or killed	No	21:33-34
18	Injury	More rules for a dangerous bull	No	21:35-36
19	Injury	Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life.	No		24:18
20	Injury	If anyone injures his neighbour, whatever he has done must be done to him:	No		24:19
21	Injury	fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured.	No		24:20
22	Injury	When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that no one falls from the roof.	No			22:8
23	Kidnap	If a man kidnaps one of his brother Israelites and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die.	Yes			24:7
24	Kidnap	Anyone who kidnaps another must be put to death.	Yes	21:16
25	Justice	When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,	No	23:2
26	Justice	Do not show favouritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.	No	23:3
27	Justice	Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.	No	23:6
28	Justice	Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death	No	23:7
29	Justice	Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.	No		19:15
30	Justice	Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town and they shall judge the people fairly.	No			16:18-20
31	Justice	If a difficult case come before your courts, go to the priests and the judge and they will give you the verdict.	No			17:8-11
32	Justice	The man who shows contempt for the judge or the priest who ministers to the LORD must be put to death.	Yes			17:12-13
33	Justice	Set aside 3 cities in the promiseds so that anyone who kills a man by accident may flee there to save his life.	No			19:1-7
34	Justice	A matter must be established by the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses. Do to a false witness what he intended to do to his brother. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.	No			19:15-21
35	Justice	Ritual for atonement when a man is found dead. (The neck of a heifer is broken)	No			21:1-9
36	Justice	If a guilty man who is put to death and his body hung on a tree, do not leave his body on the tree overnight.	No			21:22--23
37	Justice	Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.	No			24:16
38	Justice	Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.	No			24:17
39	Justice	When men have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case	No			25:1
40	Justice	If the guilty man is to be beaten, the judge shall have him flogged with the number of lashes for his crime	No			25:2
41	Justice	Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.	No			27:19
42	Marriage	Do not intermarry with them (Cannanites). Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.	No			7:3-4
43	Marriage	When you conquer a city and see a beautiful woman captive, you can take her as your wife. If you are not pleased with her, let her go wherever she wishes. You must not sell her or treat her as a slave.	No			21:10-14
44	Marriage	Rules for a man who takes a wife, dislikes her and slanders her saying, she is not a virgin. If he lies, he pays 100 shekels of silver to the father. If she is not a virgin, she shall be stoned.	Yes			22:13-21
45	Marriage	A man is not to marry his father’s wife; he must not dishonour his father’s bed.	No			22:30
46	Marriage	Details for a woman who's husband divorces her because of something indecent and she marries another and he also divorces her.	No			24:1-4
47	Marriage	A man has recently married, must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him for one year	No			24:5
48	Marriage	Rules for a widow to be married to her husband's brother to build up her family line. Punishment if he refuses.	No			25:5-10
49	Sex - Misc	Rules for - If a man sleeps with a woman who is a slave girl promised to another man	No		19:20-22
50	Sex - Misc	If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife.	No	22:16
51	Sex - Misc	If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.	No	22:17
52	Sex - Misc	If a man rapes a virgin who is not engaged, he shall pay the girl’s father 50 shekels of silver & marry the girl,	No			22:28-29
53	Sex - Misc	‘Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.	No		18:19
54	Sex - Misc	If a man has sex with a woman during her monthly period, both of them must be cut off from their people.	No		20:18
55	Honesty	Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.	No	23:8
56	Honesty	Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.	No		19:35
57	Honesty	Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt.	No		19:36
58	Honesty	You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land	No			25:13-15
59	Honesty	Cursed is the man who moves his neighbour’s boundary stone.	No			27:17
60	Cruelty	Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road.	No			27:18
61	Servants	If a countrymen becomes poor and sells himself to you, treat him as a hired worker-do not make him a slave. He and his children are to be released, on Jubilee	No		25:39-43
62	Servants	Rules for an Israelite selling himself to an alien or a temporary resident who becomes rich (Includes Jubilee)	No		25:47-55
63	Slaves	If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master.	No			23:15
64	Slaves	Rules for buying, selling & freeing Hebrew servants	No	21:2-11
65	Slaves	Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves.	No		25:44-46
66	Punishment	Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people.	No		18:29

Other Commands Related to Righteousness

MISC. COMMANDS

#	Topic	Command	Death Penalty?	Exodus 21-23	Exodus 34&35	Lev.	Deut.
1	Prophets	Details for following a prophet	No				18:15-22
2	King	When you enter the land the LORD is giving you and say, "Let us set a king over us," (rules for the king)	No				17:14-20
3	War	Rules for going to war against a distant city. (Kill the men but averything else is condered plunder)	No				20:1-15
4	War	Rules for going to war against a city in the land God gives you. (Kill everything that breathes)	No				20:16-20
5	Loans	If you lend money to one of my people who is needy, do not be like a money-lender; charge him no interest.	No	22:25
6	Loans	If you take your neighbour’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset,	No	22:26-27
7	Loans	Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.	No				23:19
8	Loans	You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you	No				23:20
9	Loans	Do not take a pair of millstones as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood	No				24:6
10	Loans	When you make a loan to your neighbour, do not go into his house to get what he is offering as a pledge.	No				24:10-13
11	Blood	Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.	No			17:10-14	12:23
12	Food	You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.	No	22:31
13	Food	Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.	No	23:19	34:26
14	Food	Rules for - When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden for three years	No			19:23-25
15	Food	Details for animals that can and can not be eaten	No				14:3-21
16	Health	If one of your men is unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he is to go outside the camp and stay there.	No				23:10
17	Health	Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself.	No				23:12
18	Health	Have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement.	No				23:13
19	Health	In cases of leprous diseases be very careful to do exactly as the priests, who are Levites, instruct you.	No				24:8
20	Tattoo	Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.	No			19:27
21	Tattoo	Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.	No			19:28
22	Tattoo	ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.	No				14:1
23	Inheritance	Rules for inheritance whan a man that has 2 wives and both bear him sons	No				21:15-17
24	Real Estate	Details for property transactions	No			25:23-37
25	Vows	When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. (Numbers 30:2)	No
26	Poor	Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.	No	23:9
27	Poor	Then the poor among your people may get food from it. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.	No	23:11
28	Poor	Rules for leaving part of a harvest for the poor	No			19:9-10
29	Poor	Do not take advantage of a worker who is poor and needy, whether he is a Israelite or an alien	No				24:14-15
30	Poor	When harvesting your field, if you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the poor	No				24:19
31	Poor	When you harvest olives, do not go over the tree a 2nd time. Leave what remains for poor	No				24:20
32	Poor	When you harvest your grapes, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the poor	No				24:21
33	Misc.	You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.	No			24:22
34	Misc.	If two men are fighting and the wife of one seizes the other by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand	No				25:11-12
35	Misc.	If a man lets his livestock graze in another man’s field, he must make restitution	No	22:5
36	Misc.	If a fire burns grain or corn or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.	No	22:6
37	Misc.	More rules for livestock lost, stolen, injured or killed due to theft or loaning to a neighbor	No	22:9-15
38	Misc.	Do not move your neighbour’s boundary stone set up in the inheritance you receive from the LORD your God	No				19:14
39	Misc.	You may eat all the grapes your neighbour’s vineyard you want, but do not put any in your basket.	No				23:24
40	Misc.	You may pick the ears your neighbour’s cornfield with your hands, but do not put a sickle to his standing corn.	No				23:25
41	Misc.	Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.	No	23:2
42	Misc.	What to do if you come across a bird’s nest beside the road	No				22:6-7
43	Misc.	Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.	No				22:9
44	Misc.	Do not plough with an ox and a donkey yoked together.	No				22:10
45	Misc.	Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.	No				25:4
46	Misc.	Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.	No				22:11
47	Misc.	Make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.	No				22:12
48	Misc.	Do not seek a treaty of friendship with the Ammonites or Moabites them as long as you live.	No				23:6

Misc. Commands

COMMANDS RELATED TO FEASTS AND WORSHIP

#	Topic	Command	Death Penealty?	Exodus 21-23	Exodus 34&35	Lev.	Deut.
1	Feasts	Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me.	N/A	23:14
2	Feasts	Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you.	N/A	23:15	34:18
3	Feasts	Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.	N/A	23:16	34:22
4	Feasts	Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.	N/A	23:16	34.22
5	Feasts	Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD.	N/A	23:17	34:23
6	Feasts	Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God,	N/A				16:1-9
7	Feasts	celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to your blessings	N/A				16:10-12
8	Feasts	Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for 7 days after the harvesst of the fields and winepress	N/A				16:13-15
9	Jubilee	In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property. Details for Jubilee.	N/A			25:8-22
10	Jubilee	At the end of every 7 years you must cancel debts. - Rules for debts, helping the poor & freeing servants.	N/A				15:1-18
11	Levites	Bringing offerings to support the Levites	N/A				14:27-29
12	Levites	Rules for supporting the Levites	N/A				18:1-8
13	Worship	No-one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the LORD.	N/A				23:1
14	Worship	No-one born of a forbidden marriage nor any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD	N/A				23:2
15	Worship	No Ammonite or Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD	N/A				23:3
16	Worship	The third generation of children born to the Edomites and Egyptians may enter the assembly of the LORD.	N/A				23:8
17	Worship	Do not be slow to pay a vow to the Lord, for the LORD will demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.	N/A				23:21
18	Worship	Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God	N/A				23:23
19	Offering	Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.	N/A	22:29	34:19-20
20	Offering	Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days	N/A	22:30	34:19-20
21	Offering	Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.	N/A	23:19	34:26
22	Offering	Rules for a fellowship offering	N/A			19:5-8
23	Offering	Details for tithing the increase of crops	N/A				14:22-26
24	Offering	Each year you and your family are to eat the firstborn of the heards and flocks in the presence of the LORD	N/A				15:19-23
25	Offering	Do not sacrifice to the LORD an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw, for that would be detestable to him.	N/A				17:1
26	Offering	Do not bring the earnings of a female or male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow	N/A				23:18
27	Offering	Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast.	N/A	23:18	34:25
28	Offering	The fat of my festival offerings must not be kept until morning.	N/A	23:18
29	Offering	Do not let any of the sacrifice from the Passover Feast remain until morning.	N/A		34:25

Commands Related to Feasts and Worship

MT. SINAI COVENANT BLESSINGS AND CURSES

#	Topic	Command	Exodus 21-23	Lev.	Deut.
1	Blessings	Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water.	23:25-26
2	Blessings	I will take away sickness from you,and none will miscarry or be barren. I will give you a full life span.	23:25-26
3	Blessings	Covenant blessings		26:1-13
4	Blessings	Covenant blessings			28:1-14
5	Blessings	Blessings promised by God when the Israelites repent after being cursed.		26:40-45	30:1-10
6	Blessings	My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Canaanites etc. and I will wipe them out.	23:23
7	Punishment	Ezekiel 18 - Detailed information on when God will and will not punish (death) the guilty.
8	General	Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.			27:26
9	Curses	Covenant curses - 5 groups of curses; each one worse than the prior one if they don't repent		26:14-39
10	Curses	Covenant curses including famine, poverty, plagues, conquered by other nations and eating children			28:15-68
11	Curses	Covenant curses			29:17-29

Mt. Sinai Covenant Blessings and Curses

THE END OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AGE

This paper presents a theory for the Mt. Sinai covenant ending in 70 A.D. with the destruction of Jerusalem. God's plan for mankind was divided into ages. The New Testament covenant and related kingdom succeeded the age of the Old Testament. This age we live in will be the last age of Earth and will end when Christ comes to take us all into Heaven for the final judgment.

This paper includes the following sections:

The End of the Old Testament Age: Introduction

Before we examine the scriptures that deal with the end of the Mosaic Law, it needs to be pointed out there are different opinions as to the date it ended. The Jews believe it did not end and is still in force today. Many other people believe the Law ended when Jesus was crucified in 33 A.D. I believe it ended forty years later when Titus and the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Fortunately, what anyone believes in this matter is of no consequence since most Christians believe the Law ended sometime in the first century of the New Testament Church. It does not affect a Christian’s relationship with God or their salvation. However, It is worth studying because it is a key to understanding several scriptures that deal with God’s covenant relationships with his chosen people. It also provides a foundation for understanding the "end of the age", the first resurrection and the first coming of Christ back to Earth.

The End of the Old Testament Age: Introduction

How Were People Saved During the Old Testament Age?

It’s important to remember the Mosaic Law, the covenant God established with the Israelites on Mt. Sinai, never saved anyone’s soul. There were no provisions that forgave sins and there was no promise of a home in Heaven. All the blessings and curses of the covenant were limited to the earthly lives of the Israelites. On what basis then, will they be judged on the Day of Judgment? If you asked any Christian today what a person must do to be saved, you would receive a variety of answers. Members of some churches would tell you a person must repent of their sins, confess Jesus is the son of God, and be baptized. Other churches would tell you a person only needs to repent and confess Jesus is the Son of God. If you were living two hundred years before the birth of Christ and someone asked you what they needed to do to be saved, what would you tell them? How were the people who lived before Jesus saved?

Some people believe they were saved by obeying the Law. However, we have looked at the Mt. Sinai covenant in detail and it does not contain any provision for salvation. Romans 3:19-20 clearly states that no one was saved by obeying the law.

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

This concept is repeated in Galatians 3:10-11.

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no-one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."

This passage also tells us what people who lived before Christ had to do to be saved; they had to live by faith. This way of salvation was not only open to the Israelites, but also to all other nations; generically called the Gentiles. If you recall, one of the blessings of the covenant with Abraham was that all nations on earth would be blessed through the offspring of Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5). This concept is explained in Galatians 3:6-9.

6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

We looked at how those who believe are children of Abraham when we examined the new covenant. We see the faith of Abraham, his descendants, and the faith of the Gentiles is what made them righteous in God’s eyes from the above scriptures. Their righteousness was not based on how well they obeyed the Law. The faith that made Abraham righteous was not just an intellectual belief. It was a living faith that formed the basis of every decision he made. When Abraham decided to obey God and sacrifice Isaac, his faith in God gave him the assurance that everything would work out for the best. Romans 3:21-30 tells us that those who had this type of faith, both Israelites and Gentiles, are the ones who are redeemed by the grace of the Lord.

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished; 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. (Also, see Romans, chapter 9)

What advantage then was there in being an Israelite or of having the Law? I believe the answer is found in Deuteronomy 30:15-16. We have looked at these verses before. They are part of God’s final words of advice for the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land.

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

I believe God intended the Law to be a path for the Israelites to love him. Those individuals who stayed faithful to the covenant learned to trust God. Their relationship with God grew and developed as he blessed them and they relied on him more and more. As they acted on this reliance, their actions and decisions were increasingly guided by their faith in him and this faith made them righteous in God’s eyes. This strong relationship would have led all the Israelites to love God as much as he loved them. Thus, Israel had a tremendous advantage over the other nations because they were entrusted with the very words of God (Romans 3:1-2). Since they knew what was right and wrong, their passion to express their faith had a direction. When they followed the Law, God blessed them. Those who were faithful were blessed both on earth and later in Heaven. This wasn’t true for the Gentiles who lived by faith because they were not part of the covenant. Their reward was in heaven; they did not share in the covenant promises given to the Israelites. However, the reward in Heaven was the blessing that all of God's faithful people valued most. This is stated in Hebrews 11:

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

In summary, the people who lived before Christ were saved by the grace of God if they had the type of faith that made them righteous in God’s eyes. This includes all people from Adam to Abraham to Moses to the time of the New Testament covenant. Does this path to forgiveness and salvation still exist today? I don’t believe it does. We live under a new dispensation of time where man’s relationship to God is defined by the new covenant Jesus established when he died for us and then went into heaven to offer his blood for our sins. Forgiveness of sins and salvation are blessings found only within the new covenant. There is no salvation outside of this covenant and the New Testament does not list faith by itself as a way to enter into this covenant relationship with God. Faith is still required as a prerequisite to enter the covenant. However, as we stated in the chapter on the new covenant, baptism is the spiritual circumcision that brings us into the covenant of Christ.

While there are extensive scriptures on how people in the Old Testament obtained righteousness through faith, there are no specific scriptures I can find that state how or when this path to salvation ended. However, based on the scriptures that show forgiveness and salvation are only found through Christ and the New Testament covenant, this must have happened. If this is true, then the moment in time when faith only ceased to be a path for salvation was extremely important for the Jews and Gentiles living during the early days of the New Testament church. My theory is that the path of faith was part of the Old Testament age along with the Mt. Sinai covenant and these things ended with that age. Thus, most of the passages we will look at are related to the end of the Mt. Sinai covenant.

When Did the Old Testament Age End?

Let’s look at two possible times when that could have occurred. The first possible instance that salvation was exclusively limited to those in the new covenant was on the first day of the New Testament church when Peter preached to the Jews (Acts 2). If this is true, then all living Jews who had obtained righteousness by faith lost their salvation on that day. Consider a faithful Jew living in Greece. If he died the day after Peter preached in Jerusalem, his soul would have been damned to hell because he never had a chance to hear the gospel and be saved. This would be true for all Jews living in other countries because most of the efforts to preach the gospel focused on Jerusalem for the first seven years of the church.

The second possibility is that God kept both paths to salvation open until 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed the temple, the city of Jerusalem and the Mt. Sinai covenant ended. This would certainly be a more fair way for God to transition his people from the Law. The Israelites may have failed to keep the covenant of Mt. Sinai, but they were still under the covenant God made with Abraham. He was still their God and they were still his people whom he loved. Was it necessary for the Law to be in force for the Jews to be saved by faith during this transition period? No, the Law did not save anyone. However, I believe God showed care and patience with the Jews in allowing them sufficient time to convert from the doctrine they had been living under for over thirteen hundred years prior to the Gospel of Christ. I don’t believe God would have abandoned his people without trying to save them. Whenever an apostle or minister of the gospel went into a new city, they always preached to the Jews first. The Jews always had the first opportunity to accept Christ. Paul writes about his love for the Jews and his desire that they be saved in Romans 9:2-5.

2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, for ever praised! Amen.

The Case For the Law and Old Testament Age Ending at 33 AD

The primary passage for the Law ending in 33 A.D. is in the second chapter of Colossians. This passage states the “written code” was blotted out and taken out of the way when Jesus was nailed to the cross. There are three translations presented below. The first is the Authorized Version (AV) (the King James version), the second is the New International Version (NIV) and the third is Young's Literal Translation (YLT). Young's Literal Translation attempts to preserve the tense and word usage as found in the original Greek writings.

AV 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

NIV 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

YLT 13 And you being dead in the trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made alive together with him, having forgiven you all the trespasses, 14 having blotted out the handwriting in the ordinances that is against us, that was contrary to us, and he hath taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross; 15 having stripped the principalities and the authorities, he made a show of them openly having triumphed over them in it.

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians while he was imprisoned in Rome. The church at Colossae was largely composed of Gentiles. Paul warns them about false teachers who were attempting to corrupt their faith in Christ by "hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world". (v8)

These false teachers included Jews who were insisting the church must obey the Mosaic Law as well as the additional commandments imposed by the Scribes and Pharisees, and teachers of Oriental philosophy that favored Gnosticism. (Barnes Notes commentary)

Paul deals with these false teachings by presenting the pure truth of how they were saved by the Gospel of Christ. In verse 10 Paul states they were complete in Christ; they did not need anything else to be saved. In verses 11-12 Paul states their baptism, a spiritual circumcision done without hands, was a burial with Christ and they would also be resurrected just as Christ was. Physical circumcision was implemented by God as an entrance into the covenant he made with Abraham but did not result in the forgiveness of sins or salvation. The circumcision of Abraham removed a bit of flesh but the circumcision of Christ removes our whole corrupt and carnal nature which is put away like a garment that is removed and laid aside[1]. In verses 13-14 Paul explains they were dead in the uncircumcision of their sinful nature but their sins but were forgiven by Christ when He "blotted out the handwriting of ordinances and nailed it to the cross".

The key to understanding this passage and how it's related to the end of the Mt. Sinai covenant is the meaning of the words "handwriting" and "ordinances". Notice there is a difference in what was cancelled between the three translations. The NIV states the "written code" was cancelled where the AV and YLT state the "handwriting" was canceled. For this passage, the AV and YLT versions are more accurate. The original Greek words for "handwriting" and "ordinances" are:

Handwriting - 5498 χειρόγραφον cheirographon khi-rog’-raf-on from a compound of 5495 and 1125; n n; TDNT-9:435,1309; { See TDNT 843 } AV-handwriting 1; 1 (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Greek lexicon).

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament defines cheirographon as:

1.A document written on one's own hand as proof of an obligation; a note of indebtedness.

2. Specifically in Colossians 2:14, it means a promissory note. It is the debt we have incurred with God for our sins. The forgiveness of sins through identification with Christ in His death and resurrection means that the note is cancelled; God has set it aside and nailed it to the cross.

Ordinance - 1378 δόγμα dogma dog’-mah from the base of 1380; n n; TDNT-2:230,178; {See TDNT 196 } AV-decree 3, ordinance 2; 5

1) doctrine, decree, ordinance

2) the rules and requirements of the law of Moses; carrying a suggestion of severity and of threatened judgment

3) of certain decrees of the apostles relative to right living

(Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Greek lexicon).

What does this verse tell us when we put the definitions together? What sins does the handwriting record as our debt? Do the ordinances refer to the sins defined in the Law of Moses or some other law? For the answers, we can look at a few commentaries and also use our general understanding of God's plan for mankind.

John Gill's commentary states that bible scholars have various interpretations of what the handwriting is. Some believe it refers to the sin committed by Adam in the garden. Some believe it refers to the Mosaic law. Others believe it refers to the books from Revelation 20:12 that contain every person's deeds including the sins they committed during their life. These are the records of our lives we will be judged by when we stand before Christ.

Of the three possibilities, I believe the books from the judgment in Revelation is the correct meaning of "handwriting" in this passage. If Paul is referring to the sins committed under the Mosaic Law, the verse makes no sense. The Gentiles had not been circumcised so they were not part of the covenant God made with Abraham. They were also not part of the Mt. Sinai covenant and were never bound to follow the Mosaic Law. While the Mosaic Law had an abundance of penalties and curses, they were limited to the physical lives of the Israelites. The worst penalty for breaking the Law was a physical death. Eternal spiritual death at the judgment was the debt the Gentiles were concerned about.

What about the term "ordinances"? M. R. Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament concludes "ordinances", while primarily referring to the Mosaic law, is to be taken in a wider sense, as including the moral law of God in general, which applied to the Gentiles as much as to the Jews. If Vincent is correct, then “ordinances” is used metaphorically and represents God’s universal law of right and wrong. Therefore, when Paul told the Gentiles in Colossae they had been dead in their sins, they were not dead because of any provision of the Mosaic Law, they were dead because they were not forgiven of their sins. They, as well as the Jews, were made alive when they were baptized into Jesus and forgiven of their sins. When verse 13 states the Gentiles had been dead in their sins, this meant they had been spiritually dead. Sin was in the world before and after the Mosaic Law and sin has eternal consequences both for those who were bound by the Mosaic Law and for those who were not.

John Gill's commentary discusses the term "nailing it to the cross":

"This is thought to be a reference to a custom in some countries, to cancel bonds, or void edicts and decrees, by driving a nail through them, so they could not be legible any more: ... every nail in the cross made a scissure in this handwriting, or bond of the law, that lay against us, whereby it was so rent and torn, as to be of no force: thus the Holy Ghost makes use of various expressions, to show that there is nothing in the law standing against the saints; it is blotted out, and cannot be read; it is took away, and cannot be seen; it is nailed to the cross of Christ, and is torn to pieces thereby, that nothing can ever be produced from it to their hurt or condemnation".

The website biblehub.com also discusses this custom:

There is a beautiful oriental custom which illustrates the Atonement. When a debt had to be settled either by payment or forgiveness, the creditor took the cancelled bond and nailed it over the door of him who had owed it, that all passers by might see that it was paid. So there is the Cross, the door of grace, behind which a bankrupt world lies in hopeless debt to the law. See Jesus our bondman and brother, coming forth with a long list of our indebtedness in His hand. He lifts it up where God and angels and men may see it, and there as the nail goes through His hand it goes through the bond of our transgressions to cancel it forever. (Cancelled and Nailed Up)

To summarize, when Jesus died on the cross, he paid the price for our sins. We won’t be condemned to eternal death on the Day of Judgment because Jesus was condemned to die a physical death while he was on earth. Since the time Adam sinned, God was implementing His plan to restore His relationship with us by forgiving our sins; something the Mt. Sinai covenant and Mosaic Law never did. The main mission of Jesus was to free us from our sins by giving His life on the cross. This is the message Paul was communicating to the Gentiles in Colossae.

This freedom from sin only exists in Christ. The Christians at Colosse were not freed from anything until they were baptized. Verse 12 states the Gentiles had been buried with Christ in baptism and then raised with him. This spiritual birth and absolution were independent of the Mosaic Law. Therefore, I believe this passage does not tell us when the Mosaic Law ended, rather it tells us Jesus nailed our debt for sins committed under the law of sin and death to the cross so we could escape the condemnation of eternal death. As Romans 8:1-2 states: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

[1] The original Greek term for “putting off” means to strip off one’s clothes and get away from them (M. R. Vincent, Words Studies in the New Testament)

The Case For the Law and Old Testament Age Ending at 70 AD

The case for the Law ending in 70 A.D. begins with Matthew 5:17-18:

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

This statement by Jesus begins a discourse on how His followers are to live in the new kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 5:20, He states that our righteousness must be surpass that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Mosaic law for us to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then lists several commands from the Mosaic law and replaces them with commands from what I believe is God's universal law of good and evil. This law existed before the creation and was the knowledge of good and evil contained in the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:16-17). This original law replaced the Mosaic law in the kingdom of heaven and the new covenant of Christ. For example, in Matthew 5:27 Jesus quotes the command " Do not commit adultery" from the Mosaic Law and replaces it with "anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart"

Thus, even though Jesus did not come to abolish the Mosaic Law and the Prophets, He did prophesy they would disappear once everything was accomplished or fulfilled. I believe Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic law by His perfect life without sin. He also fulfilled it by becoming the perfect sacrifice; replacing all of the sin and trespass offerings offered under the Mt. Sinai covenant. The Prophets were fulfilled when all of the Old Testament prophesies came to pass. As the prophesies were fulfilled, the age of the Old Testament came to an end. The new age of Christ was born on the day of Pentecost and went through a 40 year period of "birthing pains" (Matthew 24:8) while the Old Testament was ending. This new age was the fulfillment of God's plan to restore His relationship with mankind where we can approach Him without fear and with our sins forgiven. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Matthew 24 records final days of Jesus in Jerusalem before the crucifixion. As He passes the temple, He tells His disciples it will be destroyed and not one stone will be left on top of another. His disciples ask Him two questions: when this will happen, what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. As stated above, I believe the term “end of the age” is the end of the Old Testament age and includes the end of the Mt. Sinai covenant. This "ending" occurred when all of the Old Testament prophesies were fulfilled. It started when Jesus came to Earth and ended with the destruction of Jerusalem. The Bible also calls this period in history when the Law was being phased out and the Church was being established as the “last days”. Look at the verses below. Isaiah prophesied the church would be established in the last days. Hebrews 1:1-2 and 9:24-26 tells us this period includes the time Jesus was on Earth. When Peter preached the first gospel message in Acts 2, he said the miraculous gifts of the Spirit the people were witnessing were prophesied to occur in the last days. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 tells us the Christians living in the first day of the Church were witnessing the fulfillment of the age. Ephesians 1 tells us the forgiveness of sins, adoption as the children of God, and bringing all things in heaven and earth under Christ were things that happened when "the times will have reached their fulfillment". 1 John 2, written shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem, describes the events that were happening as occurring in the last hour.

Isaiah 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

1 Corinthians 10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. … 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. … 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

1 John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

These passages all point to the time Jesus lived on Earth and the early years of the New Testament church being the last years of the Old Testament age when everything was fulfilled.

In answer to the question of when the temple will be destroyed, Jesus gave a detailed description about a terrible time to come. In Matthew 24:15-16, He warned his disciples to flee Jerusalem and go into the mountains when they saw the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:27 and 12:11). The best theory on the abomination of desolation is that it was the golden eagle carried as a standard by the Roman army. (The words abomination of desolation are translated from the Greek words meaning a false idol that brings total ruin.) The eagle was the sacred familiar of Jupiter, king of the Roman gods and patron of the Roman State. A parallel passage to Matthew 24:15 found in Luke supports this theory. Note that Jesus defines these events as "the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written".

Luke 21: 20 When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.

The first time Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman army with its eagle standards was at the beginning of the war. In 66 A.D. Cestus, the Roman governor of Syria, brought an army to Jerusalem to squash the rebellion the Jews had started when they stopped the daily sacrifice on behalf of the Roman Emperor and killed some Roman soldiers. Amazingly, when the Jewish leaders were opening the city gate to surrender, Cestus believed the Jews were attacking and panicked. Cestus ordered a retreat and fled to the coast. (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 2, Chapter 19) At this time, the Christians in Jerusalem saw the event foretold by Christ and could flee the city without danger. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, book three, chapter five states the Christians fled to a mountain town about 55 miles northeast of Jerusalem called Pella where they were spared the horrors of the destruction of Jerusalem. Three and one half years later, the daily temple sacrifices to God ceased because there was no priest left to offer them. The Roman army conquered the city a short time later and set up their standards that bore the image of an eagle by the temple and offered sacrifices to them. (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 6, Chapters 2 and 6)

These and other events that would happen during the last days of the Mosaic Law were prophesied in Daniel:

Daniel 9:24 "Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. 25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

We are told that during the seventy sevens, vision and prophecy would be sealed up or fulfilled. During this time, transgressions would be finished, atonement would be made for wickedness, and the most holy one would be anointed. There can be no other explanation for the anointed one than Jesus. He is the only one who could ever atone for sin and bring in everlasting righteousness. This prophecy was given to Daniel after he prayed for the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem while the Jews were in Babylonian captivity. History tells us the decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem occurred in 539 B.C. when Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree to rebuild the temple and the city (Ezra 1:2-4). After seven sevens and sixty-two sevens, Jesus, the Anointed one would come and then be cut off. That leaves the events of one seven after the crucifixion of Christ to fulfill all prophecy. The people of the ruler who came and destroyed the city and the sanctuary were Titus and the Roman army. In the middle of the last seven, sacrifices and offerings ended and a short time later, the city and temple were destroyed.

There are other possible interpretations of this prophesy. However, Jesus himself said it was about the destruction of the Jerusalem. He also stated the events would happen during the lives of the present generation (Matthew 24:32-34). Therefore, if Jesus said the Mosaic Law would not pass away until all of the Law and the Prophets were fulfilled. And, if the last prophecy is of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, then the Old Testament age and the Mt. Sinai covenant did not end until 70 A.D.

An additional scripture pointing to 70 A.D. as the date for the end of the Law is Hebrews 8. The book of Hebrews was written in A.D. 68, two years before the destruction of Jerusalem. The main theme of the letter is the comparison of two covenants; the Mt. Sinai covenant and the covenant of Christ. It was written so Christian Jews living in Rome would remain faithful to the gospel. Most of them had grown up in the Jewish community and still treasured their culture and traditions. Their faith could be shaken by the destruction of the temple. The writer wanted them to understand that what was about to happen was part of God’s plan. They needed to keep their faith and stay focused on Jesus as they ran the race that was before them (Hebrews 11 and 12). In the eighth chapter of the letter, the writer tells them the covenant from Mt. Sinai, the Law, was about to end.

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. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and ageing will soon disappear.

This passage states the Mt Sinai Covenant, while obsolete, did not end at the cross but was to end soon. (The word “obsolete” comes from the Greek word “palaioo” meaning 1) to make ancient or old, 1a) to become old, to be worn out,1b) of things worn out by time and use, or 2) to declare a thing to be old and so about to be abrogated. The word “soon” comes from the Greek word “eggus” meaning 1) near, of place and position, or 2) of time, 2a) of times imminent and soon to come pass. The word “disappear comes from the Greek word “aphanismos” meaning 1) disappearance or 2) destruction.) The Law started to become old when Jesus started his ministry and began fulfilling prophesies. As the destruction of the temple and the city grew closer, more and more of the prophecies were being fulfilled. As each one came true, the Mt. Sinai covenant grew a little older and a little more obsolete. When everything was done, it simply disappeared. It is interesting that there was a forty year period at the beginning of the Mt. Sinai covenant starting when the Israelites received the Law and ending when they entered the promised land. There is also a forty year period at the end of the Mt. Sinai covenant starting with the death of Christ and ending with the destruction of Jerusalem.

Scriptures That Show How the Mosaic Law Was a Barrier to the Covenant of Christ and the New Testament Age

Matthew 23 records Jesus' last warning to the Jewish leaders before the end of the Mt. Sinai covenant. They had defied God for centuries. They had sought their own glory instead of God’s and had made obeying the Law much harder than God ever intended by adding additional commands. They focused on the fine details of the Law and disregarded justice, mercy and faithfulness. They had murdered God’s prophets who had been sent to warn them of their sins and they were responsible for murdering the Son of God. Jesus prophesied their doom in Matthew 23:33-36

33 "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barakiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.

As Jesus said in verse 34, Christians would be sent to them in an attempt to save them. These first Jewish converts had a dangerous mission in bringing the gospel to their countrymen. The more successful they were the more they threatened the leadership of Judea. The Sanhedrin had Peter and John arrested after they had healed a cripple outside of the Temple (Acts 3 & 4). After they threatened the two apostles and warned them to stop preaching the gospel, they were released. The Apostles became very popular with the Jewish people as they performed more miracles and this popularity limited the options of the Sanhedrin in stopping the spread of Christianity. However, as more and more Jews were accepting the Gospel, the Apostles were once again arrested. Most of the Sanhedrin wanted to execute them but a Pharisee named Gamaliel persuaded the council to merely give them a second warning to not preach the Gospel. They were then flogged and released.

Before his conversion to Christianity, the Apostle Paul (he was called Saul before he became a Christian) had been a zealous Pharisee who had studied under Gamaliel. He was convinced Christians were heretics and he obtained authority from the Sanhedrin to persecute them and stop the spread of Christianity. He was present when the Sanhedrin stoned Stephen in 34 A.D. (Acts 7). On that day the Jewish leadership began an unbridled persecution of the church and many Christians were arrested and executed. One of the positive aspects of the persecution was that Christians fled from Jerusalem and established churches throughout Judea and Samaria thus spreading the gospel (Acts 8). Paul described his role in the persecution in Acts 26 (see also Acts 22).

9 "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

During the thirties, forties, and fifties, all of the persecution of Christians came from the Jews. The gospel wasn’t introduced to the first Gentiles until eleven years after the church was established and Christians were viewed as a sect of the Jews, much like the Essenes or the Pharisees. Since Judaism was a sanctioned religion under Roman law, Rome provided a degree of protection for Christians from the threats of orthodox Jews. As Everett Harrison states in his book, The Apostolic Church, “Who can fail to see a wonderful providence in all this – God using the power of Rome to shield the Christian church in the days of its infancy when Jewish hostility might have destroyed it, so that by the time Rome altered its attitude and turned against the Christians they had sufficient strength and maturity to survive all the efforts of the empire to crush them.” (p. 67) We see an example of this in Acts 21:30-32 when the Roman commander in Jerusalem rescued Paul from being killed by an angry mob of Jews. The first persecution of Christians by Rome was in 64 A.D. when Nero blamed them for the disastrous fire that burned a large part of the city. Although history shows Nero himself was responsible for the fire, Christians were an easy scapegoat since they had been preaching about the end of the world when the Earth would be destroyed by fire. This persecution was limited to those Christians living in Rome. The first widespread persecution by the Romans was after the destruction of the temple in 81 A.D.

Besides being the major physical threat of the infant church, Judaism was also the major spiritual threat. Several of Paul’s epistles such as Galatians and Colossians, addressed the false teachings of Christian Jews who were trying to force the Gentile Christians to obey the Mosaic Law. Many of the Jewish Christians believed they were still bound by the Law. In Acts 15, when the council in Jerusalem met to decide what aspects of the Law the Gentiles were required to follow, there were Christians that still belonged to the party of the Pharisees who wanted them to obey the whole Law of Moses (v. 5). When Paul arrived in Jerusalem after his third missionary journey, a great number of the Jews there were angry because he had taught the Gentiles they didn’t need to obey the Law. The apostle James was concerned for his safety because of all the Jewish Christians that were “zealous for the Law”.

Acts 21:17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come,

As long as Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Mosaic Law remained intact, they would be a spiritual threat to the Church. (See also Philippians 3: 1-3.) While God had patience and a desire for the Jews to be saved, His patience had a limit. The destruction of Jerusalem was the last and worst curse of the Law. Jesus called it “the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.” (Luke 21:22) It was the last time God would punish his people for sin while they were on Earth. Josephus, the Jewish historian, recorded the history of war between the Jews and Rome. It lasted three and one-half years and ended when, after a long siege, the Romans gained entrance into the city and destroyed it. The number of Jews killed prior to the siege totaled 1,337,490. The number of Jews killed during the siege totaled 1,100,000. After the Romans were through, 40,000 Jews who were considered innocent were let go. The Romans took 97,000 Jews captive. Those under the age of 17 were sold as slaves. Those that were 17 and older were sent to work in the Egyptian mines. At the end of it, the Jews were no longer in a covenant relationship with God and, if not for the Jews living in other countries, would have been eliminated as a religion. There were no more curses and no more blessings. The Jews had been given 40 years to hear the gospel and become Christians.

At the same time the Law was decreasing, the New Testament church was increasing. Jesus called this period the beginning of birth pains in Matthew 24:8. God’s instructions for following the new covenant were not fully disclosed on the first day of the church when Peter preached in Jerusalem (Acts 2). He simply preached the gospel of Christ and the church was born in A.D. 33 with three thousand Jews being saved. Over the next thirty-seven years, the church grew and spread throughout the world. During this time the doctrine also grew and developed. After being first taught to Jews in Jerusalem, the gospel was preached to the Samaritans and then later to the Gentiles. The first Christians did not understand that Gentiles were to be included in the church. Rules for the selection of elders and deacons were revealed along with the administration of the offering. There are many other examples of how the church and the doctrines were revealed over the early years of the church. It was done carefully and with patience. At the end of the last days, God’s kingdom, the church, had been fully established.

Note: I believe Jesus came to Earth in the first resurrection when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. For those wanting more on this theory, I highly recommend the book; 'The Avenging of the Apostles and Prophets' by Arthur M. Ogden.

Scriptures That Show How the Law Was a Barrier to the Covenant of Christ and the New Testament Age

The Abomination of Desolation

There are five passages in the bible that contain the phrase “the abomination that causes desolation”. They are:

Daniel 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’. In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

Daniel 11:31 His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

Daniel 12:11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Matthew 24:15 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’, spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—

Mark 13:14 When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

These passages foretold of the time when Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. Since Christ told the apostles that these events would happen while their generation was still alive (Matthew 24:34), the prophesies must refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by the Roman Army.

But this leaves several questions. How could the Christians leave Jerusalem if the invading army had surrounded the City? If the army had already gotten into the City to abolish the daily sacrifice and then set up the abomination of desolation, most of the killing and horror of the battle would be over. What good would it do for the Christians to leave the City after it was over?

Let’s examine these passages.

1. What was Jesus referring to in Matthew 24 and Mark 14?

This discourse of Jesus begins in Matthew 23:13 when he condemned the Jewish leaders with seven woes. After that, Jesus prophesied that he would send prophets, wise men, and teachers to save them but they would kill, flog, and pursue them. Because of these actions, the Jewish leaders would be responsible for all the righteous blood that was spilled. Jesus then states that this condemnation would happen during that generation. He mourned for Jerusalem, stating that he longed to save them but all his attempts were rejected.

Matthew 24 then describes the destruction of the temple and a time of horror. Verse 21 states. “For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” He also restated that these events would happen during the time of the current generation (v. 34).

Therefore, Jesus is describing the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. by the Roman army. It is the only destruction of the temple that happened during the time of the generation Jesus was speaking to. Based on this, the abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel must have appeared during the war between Rome and the Jews.

2. What is the abomination of desolation?

The word “abomination” used in Matthew and Mark comes from a Greek word that means, “a foul thing, a detestable thing, of idols and things pertaining to idolatry”. The Hebrew word used in Daniel means a detestable thing or idol, or an abominable thing.

The word “desolation” comes from a Greek word meaning to make desolate. The definition of the Hebrew word used in Daniel includes “to devastate, ravage, make desolated, to lay desolate, to be deserted”.

The idea that God used an army to make Jerusalem desolate is supported in Luke 21:21-22. This passage, like Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, told Christians when to flee Jerusalem and escape the horrors of the war. However, instead of the sign being the abomination of desolation, they were to leave when the City was surrounded by the army that brought desolation. “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.”

When the first century Christians saw this army and idol, they were to flee to the mountains. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, book three, chapter five states that the Christians fled to a mountain town about 55 miles northeast of Jerusalem called Pella where they were spared the horrors of the destruction of Jerusalem.

Thus, the passages in Matthew and Mark foretell of an idol that will accompany the desolation of the city. Since the Roman army was the one that destroyed Jerusalem, we need to see if they had an idol and, if so, does it fit the prophesies in Daniel.

3. What idol did the Roman army have?

Although the Romans worshipped many gods and idols, their main God was Jupiter and the symbol of Jupiter was an eagle. (shown below)

The following is from an article on unrv.com.

The Standards of the Legion
Armies throughout history have found it vital to promote an esprit de corps, a sense of pride and belonging to one's unit. In the imperial legions this took on a quasi-religious element which is perhaps unique even within paganism. The various cohorts within the legion held their own standards, and the legion itself, since the times of Marius, was represented by an eagle. The fearsome and elegant bird of prey was a perfect symbol of the legion's fighting prowess; more so it was the sacred sigil of Jupiter, King of the Gods and patron of the Roman State.

The Eagle was made of gold or silvergilt. It was mounted on a large pole with a tapered point at the end which could be thrust in the ground. On the pole beneath the eagle were imagines, medallions featuring portraits of the emperors. The legion's eagle, along with the cohort standards, were housed within a small shrine in the legion's headquarters. The first cohort of the legion and in particular the primus pilus was charged with guarding the eagle, though the day-to-day care was in the hands of the aquilifer. The Aquila was considered sacred and oaths were sworn by it.

The Roman standard (an example is shown below) were also called ensigns.

An article in Wikipedia provides additional information.

Aquila (Roman) From Wikipedia

This article is part of the series on: Military of ancient Rome. 753 BC – AD 476

The Aquila was the eagle standard of a Roman legion, carried by a special grade legionary known as an Aquilifer. One eagle standard was carried by each legion.

The signa militaria were the Roman military ensigns or standards. The most ancient standard employed by the Romans is said to have been a handful (maniple) of straw fixed to the top of a spear or pole. Hence the company of soldiers belonging to it was called Manipulus. The bundle of hay or fern was soon succeeded by the figures of animals, of which Pliny the Elder (H.N. x.16) enumerates five: the eagle, the wolf, the minotaur (Festus, s.v. Minotaur.), the horse, and the boar. In the second consulship of Gaius Marius (104 BC) the four quadrupeds were laid aside as standards, the eagle (Aquila) being alone retained. It was made of silver, or bronze, with outstretched wings, but was probably of a relatively small size, since a standard-bearer (signifer) under Julius Caesar is said in circumstances of danger to have wrenched the eagle from its staff and concealed it in the folds of his girdle.[1]

A modern reconstruction of an aquila.

Under the later emperors the eagle was carried, as it had been for many centuries, with the legion, a legion being on that account sometimes called aquila (Hirt. Bell. Hisp. 30). Each cohort had for its own ensign the serpent or dragon, which was woven on a square piece of cloth textilis anguis,[2] elevated on a gilt staff, to which a cross-bar was adapted for the purpose,[3] and carried by the draconarius.[4]

Another figure used in the standards was a ball (orb), supposed to have been emblematic of the dominion of Rome over the world;[5] and for the same reason a bronze figure of Victoria was sometimes fixed at the top of the staff, as we see it sculptured, together with small statues of Mars, on the Column of Trajan and the Arch of Constantine.[6] Under the eagle or other emblem was often placed a head of the reigning emperor, which was to the army the object of idolatrous adoration.[7] The name of the emperor, or of him who was acknowledged as emperor, was sometimes inscribed in the same situation.[8] The pole used to carry the eagle had at its lower extremity an iron point (cuspis) to fix it in the ground, and to enable the aquilifer in case of need to repel an attack.[9]

When Constantine embraced Christianity, a figure or emblem of Christ, woven in gold upon purple cloth, was substituted for the head of the emperor. This richly ornamented standard was called labarum.[12] The labarum is still used today by the Orthodox Church in the Sunday service. The entry procession of the chalice whose contents will soon holy communion is a modeled after the procession of the standards of the Roman army.

Even after the adoption of Christianity as the Roman Empire's religion, the Aquila eagle continued to be used as a symbol. During the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Isaac I Komnenos, the single-headed eagle was modified to double-headed to symbolise the Empire's dominance over East and West.

The eagle, mounted on top of the Roman standards, is a likely fit for the prophesy. The Wars of the Jews by Josephus records the history of the Roman – Jewish war. There are several references to the eagle in this history.

Book 1, Chapter 32. King Herod (the king that had the infants killed in Bethlehem) had a golden eagle placed over the great gate of the temple in Jerusalem. Towards the end of his life in 4 AD, a group of faithful Jews decided to tear it down because it was an idol of a false god and therefore against the Law of Moses. They were caught and brought before Herod who had them burned alive.

Book 6, Chapter 6. After the temple was burned in 70 A.D., the Roman soldiers brought their ensigns to the temple. The ensigns were set up against the eastern gate and the soldiers offered sacrifices to them. This description by Josephus is very close to the passages in Daniel 9:27 and 11:31.

So far, the Roman eagle fits the prophesies very well. It was a false idol carried and worshipped by the army that made Jerusalem desolate. And it all happened during the time of the generation that Jesus spoke to. However, there are still a few questions that are unanswered. The first is how the Christians could get out of Jerusalem if it was surrounded by an army? The answer is that the city was surrounded twice during the war.

The Jews declared war against Rome in 66 AD by two actions. Early in the year, they stopped offering a daily sacrifice to God on behalf of the Roman Emperor. Then in August, a group of Jewish rebels trapped a group of Roman soldiers in a tower and burned them alive. (Wars of the Jews book 2, chapter 17)

Cestius, the Roman procurator from Syria brought his army to Jerusalem and surrounded the city. Cestius laid siege to the city and was on the verge of taking it when a strange thing happened. Josephus describes it in Wars of the Jews, book 2, chapter 19, sections 6 and 7.

“It then happened that Cestius was not conscious either how the besieged despaired of success, nor how courageous the people were for him; and so he recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired from the city, without any reason in the world.”

This can only be described as a miracle by God. However, the army had come with its false idols in the form of standards, surrounded the City, and left. The Christians living in Jerusalem had seen the sign prophesied by Jesus and were able to leave the city in safety.

Jupiter and his eagle. The eagle is the abomination of desolation.

The eagle on top of the Roman standard was the abomination of desolation Christ spoke of as a sign for the end of the OT

GOD'S PLAN FOR MANKIND

The Covenants of God Chapter 1: Introduction

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants Covenants in Other Cultures

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants The Blood Covenant Ceremony

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants The Five Covenants in the Bible

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants The Importance of Covenants

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham God Calls Abraham and He Goes to Haran

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham God Calls Abraham Again and He Goes to Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham Abraham in Egypt

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham Abraham Goes Back to Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham Abraham Rescues Lot

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham God Makes a Covenant With Abraham

Abram has a son with Hagar to father a covenant heir

God completes the covenant with Abram

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham Abraham's Final Tests of Faith

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham

Abraham's Descendants Were at the Covenant Ceremony

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham In Summary

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant The Mount Sinai Covenant​

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant The Israelites Sin​

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant Curses for Breaking the Law​

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant The Israelites Leave Sinai and Arrive at the Promised Land​

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant The Israelites Wander for Forty Years

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant The Israelites Arrive at the Promised Land Again​

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant A Comparison of Abraham's Covenant and the Law

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan The Death of Moses and the Israelites Begin to Conquer Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan The Israelites Become Unfaithful

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan A Time of Kings

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan The Kingdom Splits

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan The Jews Become Slaves

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan The End of Jewish Captivity and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan The Events Between the Old and New Testaments

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

Forgiveness of Sins

Salvation of Our Souls

Earthly Blessings

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ Final Thoughts

The Covenants of God Chapter 8: The Covenant Between David and Jonathan

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 1: Introduction

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 2: The Law in the Early Days of the Earth

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 3: The Law of Moses

​

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 4: The Israelites and the Law Education and Enforcement

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 5: The Israelites and the Law: Faithfulness In Following the Law

The Kings of Judah

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 6: The Covenant of Christ

God's Law of Good and Evil - Appendix: The Commandments in the Law of Moses

THE 1ST AND 2ND GREATEST COMMANDMENTS

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

ADDITIONAL COMMANDS RELATED TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

OTHER COMMANDS RELATED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

MISC. COMMANDS

COMMANDS RELATED TO FEASTS AND WORSHIP

MT. SINAI COVENANT BLESSINGS AND CURSES

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
Covenants in Other Cultures

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
The Blood Covenant Ceremony

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
The Five Covenants in the Bible

The Covenants of God Chapter 2: An Overview Of Blood Covenants
The Importance of Covenants

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
God Calls Abraham and He Goes to Haran

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
God Calls Abraham Again and He Goes to Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham in Egypt

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham Goes Back to Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham Rescues Lot

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
God Makes a Covenant With Abraham

The Covenants of God Chapter 3: The Life Of Abraham
Abraham's Final Tests of Faith

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham
General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 4: The Covenant between God and Abraham
In Summary

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Mount Sinai Covenant

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Sin

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
Curses for Breaking the Law

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Leave Sinai and Arrive at the Promised Land

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Wander for Forty Years

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
The Israelites Arrive at the Promised Land Again

The Covenants of God Chapter 5: The Mount Sinai Covenant
A Comparison of Abraham's Covenant and the Law

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Death of Moses and the Israelites Begin to Conquer Canaan

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Israelites Become Unfaithful

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
A Time of Kings

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Kingdom Splits

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Jews Become Slaves

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The End of Jewish Captivity and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

The Covenants of God Chapter 6: The Israelites in the Land of Canaan
The Events Between the Old and New Testaments

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ
General Information

The Covenants of God Chapter 7: The Covenant of Christ
Final Thoughts

God's Law of Good and Evil Chapter 4: The Israelites and the Law
Education and Enforcement

God's Law of Good and Evil - Appendix:
The Commandments in the Law of Moses