Everlasting Covenant: God with His People
The profound concept of the everlasting covenant, a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people. Through these sacred agreements, we witness the depth of God’s love, His enduring faithfulness, and the promise of eternal life.
1. The Origin of the Everlasting Covenant (Genesis 9:16)
“And the rainbow will be in the cloud, and I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that 1 is on the earth.” After the great flood, God established a covenant with Noah and all creation, promising never again to destroy the earth in such a way. The rainbow, a beautiful and enduring symbol, serves as a constant reminder of God’s promise.
2. The Covenant with Abraham and His Descendants (Genesis 17:13)
“He that is born in your house, and he that is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised: so shall my covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants was an everlasting covenant, marked by the sign of circumcision. This covenant established a unique relationship between God and His chosen people, a relationship that would shape the course of salvation history.
3. The Covenant Confirmed in the Priesthood (Leviticus 24:8)
“On every Sabbath day this shall be set in order before the Lord continually for the children of Israel, as a perpetual covenant.” The covenant extended to the priestly service, ensuring the continued worship and service of God. The Levitical priesthood served as a constant reminder of God’s ongoing commitment to His people, a reflection of His enduring faithfulness.
4. The Covenant as an Everlasting Gift (Numbers 18:19)
“All the offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a perpetual ordinance: a covenant of salt before the Lord is for you and for your descendants with you.” God’s covenant with the tribe of Levi provided for their needs, guaranteeing their sustenance as they served in the sanctuary. The “covenant of salt” symbolized the permanence and inviolability of God’s promise.
5. The Covenant as a Source of Hope (2 Samuel 23:5)
“Even though my house is not so with God, yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and kept; for shall not all my salvation and all my pleasure make it flourish?” David, despite his own shortcomings, recognized the everlasting nature of God’s covenant. This covenant pointed toward the coming Messiah, a descendant of David who would establish an eternal kingdom.
6. The Covenant Confirmed in the History of Israel (1 Chronicles 16:17)
“And he confirmed it to Jacob as a statute, and to Israel as an everlasting covenant.” Throughout Israel’s history, God repeatedly reaffirmed His covenant, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness. God’s commitment spanned generations, a testament to His enduring love.
7. The Covenant as Security of the Divine Promise (Psalm 105:10)
“And he confirmed it to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant.” God’s covenant with Israel served as a secure foundation for their hope. God’s promises are unbreakable, His faithfulness unwavering.
8. Breaking the Covenant and Its Consequences (Isaiah 24:5)
“Surely the land is defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.” While God’s covenant remains steadfast, human disobedience brings consequences. When the people turn away from God, they experience the pain of separation.
9. The Covenant as Proof of God’s Love (Isaiah 54:10)
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my mercy shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith the Lord, who hath mercy on thee.” The everlasting covenant is rooted in God’s unchanging love. Even in the midst of trials, we can trust in His steadfast love and enduring promises.
10. The New Covenant in Christ (Hebrews 13:20)
“Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.” The everlasting covenant finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. His blood sealed the new covenant, offering eternal life to all who believe. Through Christ, we are brought into an everlasting relationship with God.
- Preaching on Weeping and Mourners in the Bible
- Preaching on Lament in the Bible
- Preaching on Sadness in the Bible
Let us embrace the everlasting covenant, recognizing it as a testament to God’s enduring love and faithfulness. Let us walk in obedience, trusting in His promises and clinging to the hope found in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
