Sermon Tone Analysis

The realities and dynamics that are shadows and challenging to understand and unpack in the OT come fully to light in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Big Idea this series is to expose you to some OT shadows which come fully to light in Jesus Christ.

And today we consider the shadow of Covenant.

In our day and culture, covenants are being replaced with contracts.

As we move along this morning you will see how the two are not the same… and you will see why God always has chosen to relate with God’s creation through the framework of covenants.

The Heart of a Covenant is a relationship between parties characterized by faithfulness and loyalty in love.

Two Hebrew words in the OT are seen together when the dynamic of a covenant is in place:

The first, ḥesed, has to do with showing kindness in loyal love.

The second, ’ĕmet, can be translated by either “faithfulness” or “truth.”

An excellent illustration of the word pair ḥesed and ’ĕmet is found in Genesis 47:29–30:

[29] When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness [ḥesed and ’ĕmet].

Do not bury me in Egypt, [30] but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.”

“I will do as you say,” he said.

(NIV)

We see some key covenants thru the OT, but here are some aspects of a covenant that we need to keep in mind:

1. Covenant relationship

2. Obligation to help weaker party

3. Fulfillment of obligation demonstrates faithful, loyal love

While the Hebrew term translated as covenant appears almost 300 times in the OT, its first appearance is found in Genesis.

Gen 6:1

Summary of Noah Covenant

While that is the first appearance of the Hebrew word translated “covenant”, most don’t believe it to be the first covenant.

Hosea

Now, we have a “Covenant” understood between God and Adam.

Are you tracking?

So far we have 2 covenants between God and his creation demonstrating loyalty and faithfulness rooted in divine love — Adam and Noah.

God’s third covenant with humanity is found in his relationship with Abram...

is where the Lord reminds Abram of the covenant between them.

And in , the sign of their covenant: circumcision.

We now come to the Mosaic Covenant — made with Moses on Israel’s behalf

The Ten Words… Commandments… the heart of the Book of the Covenant

Exodus

We now come to the Covenant with the House of David

2 Samuel 7:

2 Samuel 7b-11

In the prophets, we are told of a new covenant… it’s a covenant that is offered several descriptions...

Eternal Covenant

Covenant of Peace

Covenant of New Heart and New Spirit

Ezek 11.18-21

New Covenant

jeremiah 31.

Jesus comes to fully enact the New Covenant… Shadows come to Light!

Relationship

The stronger for the weaker

Faithful, loyal love

Luke 22.