THE COVENANT STORY (part 2)

PART 3

ABRAHAM

God selects Abraham from among the nations scattered at Babylon, and makes promises to him that will eventually restore his blessing to all humanity.

Genesis 12:1–3 NLT

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

God’s part

God promises to bless Abraham, meaning that he will have a huge family that will inherit a promised piece of land in Canaan. And somehow, God will bring his blessing to all humanity through this family.

Abraham’s part

Abraham is asked to respond to God’s promises in a number of ways:

Trust God’s promises and follow him wherever he leads. GENESIS 12:1, 15:1-6

Train up his family to do what is just and right by following God’s commands. GENESIS 18:16-19

Circumcise all males in his family as a “sign of the covenant” GENESIS 17

THE GREATER GOAL

God repeats his promises to Abraham and his descendants that through this family, somehow, he’s going to bring his blessing upon all nations

PART 4

ISRAEL

God rescues Israel from slavery in Egypt and promises to make them into a kingdom of priests that he will use to show himself to all nations.

God’s part

He rescued them by his grace, and promises to come and personally dwell in their midst and bring them into the land promised to Abraham.

Israel’s part

Obedience to the terms of the covenant embodied in the laws given by God at Mt. Sinai (including the 10 commandments)

Exodus 20:1–20 NLT

Then God gave the people all these instructions: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You must not murder. “You must not commit adultery. “You must not steal. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”

THE GREATER GOAL

God has chosen Israel as a covenant people to make them into a priestly nation that will follow him and so represent God’s character to all nations.

Exodus 19:1–6 NLT

Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

PART 5

DAVID

God establishes David as the king over Israel and promises that the promises to Abraham and Israel will be fulfilled in his royal lineage.

2 Samuel 7:8–16 NLT

“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. “ ‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’ ”

God’s part

He will make David’s name great and keep Israel in the promised land, and after David dies he will raise up a descendant who will build a temple and a kingdom that will last forever.

David’s part

He and his descendants must remain faithful to God and lead all Israel in obedience to the laws of the covenant.

Psalm 132:11–12 NLT

The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne. If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”

THE GREATER GOAL

God will use this future descendant of David to bring the kingdom of God of justice and peace over all nations, so that the blessing of Abraham may come to all people.