An Everlasting Covenant

Our text that we will use as our spring board for this week sermon is , Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. It is text that Moses uses to establish an origin for all mankind. These for is of fundamental importance because it disproves the evolutionary theory. There is even more to this verse than just the creation of mankind and disproving of evolution as this verse speaks of a relationship that is being established. If we recall last, we learnt that Moses wrote the book of Genesis while tending his father-in-law’s sheep under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the instruction of Israel and us as all have lost sight of God. Under the guiding of the Holy Spirit Moses re-establishes who God is and what His plan is.

For us then to better understand God as we read the rest of Scripture, we need to understand the foundation upon which the rest of Scripture build it understanding of God on. One of the fundamental principles of studding Scripture is to find the first occurrence of an event and to understand that event and then let that event in Scripture be the foundation on which to understand later events. For us then to understand God’s relationship to us , is of utmost importance because it is the first time that God is interacting with mankind. In Biblical revelation we know that God speaks to us within the culture and language of the people at that time. For us to get a greater understanding of Scripture we need to in part look at the culture of that time. In the ancient Near East, the term image of God has significant meaning. In Egypt the king was believed to be in the image of their god. For the Egyptians the image of god communicated two main ideas 1 rulership and 2 sonship. “The king is the image of god because he has a relationship to the deity as the son of god and a relationship to the world as ruler for the god. In the ancient Near East these would have been understood as covenant relationships.” Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 77. Adam was given dominion of with world and we are promised to inherit a kingdom Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: , says that Adam was the son of God

For us then to better understand God as we read the rest of Scripture we need to understand the foundation upon which the rest of Scripture build it understanding of God on. One of the fundamental principles of studding Scripture is to find the first occurrence of an event and to understand that event and then let that event in Scripture be the foundation on which to understand later events. For us then to understand God’s relationship to us ,

is of utmost importance because it is the first time that God is interacting with mankind. In Biblical revelation we know that God speaks to us within the culture and language of the people at that time. For us to get a greater understanding of Scripture we need to in part look at the culture of that time. In the ancient Near East, the term image of God has significant meaning. In Egypt the king was believed to be in the image of their god. For the Egyptians the image of god communicated two main ideas 1 rulership and 2 sonship. “The king is the image of god because he has a relationship to the deity as the son of god and a relationship to the world as ruler for the god. In the ancient Near East these would have been understood as covenant relationships.” Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 77. Adam was given dominion of with world and we are promised to inherit a kingdom Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: , says that Adam was the son of God

says therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. In these verses we see the relationship that God had with Adam and the relationship He desires to have with us.

is of utmost importance because it is the first time that God is interacting with mankind. In Biblical revelation we know that God speaks to us within the culture and language of the people at that time. For us to get a greater understanding of Scripture we need to in part look at the culture of that time. In the ancient Near East, the term image of God has significant meaning. In Egypt the king was believed to be in the image of their god. For the Egyptians the image of god communicated two main ideas 1 rulership and 2 sonship. “The king is the image of god because he has a relationship to the deity as the son of god and a relationship to the world as ruler for the god. In the ancient Near East these would have been understood as covenant relationships.” Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 77. Adam was given dominion of with world and we are promised to inherit a kingdom Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: , says that Adam was the son of God

When Moses establishes in Genesis that man was created in God’s image, he is saying that mankind was created to be in a relationship with God. The desire God has for a relationship with His creation can be seen in Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” And They shall be My people, and I will be their God. Moses establishes in the God’s plan and desire for His creation. Even though sin has entered into this world God desire to be in a loving relationship with us has not changed. Relationships in the Old Testament were defined in two different ways covenants or treaties 1 suzerain - vassal and 2 royal charter. The suzerain - vassal is the one of importance to us as it deals with a covenant being made by a King with a lesser person. As , establishes a covenant with God and mankind, it is one where the King has initiated a relationship with those He has created. By giving them dominion and calling them His son. After we find the next covenant is made with Noah in chapter 6 and then again, then we find God making a covenant with Abram. It is in the Abrahamic covenant that we find some interesting information.

In we see an establishment of a covenant with Abraham. 7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. Note that Abraham was promised land just as Adam was given land just as we are promised the inheritance of land in the kingdom prepared for us. God has not changed His plan for us. Also, note that in these texts there is a great deal of cutting taking place and Abraham is waiting for something to take place. Abraham asks how he can receive the promise of God, Gods response is found in. And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.

says therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. In these verses we see the relationship that God had with Adam and the relationship He desires to have with us.

Now we see a burning oven and a burning torch passing through the divided animals. Ellen White says in Patriarchs and Prophets page 137 The plan of redemption was here opened to him, in the death of Christ, the great sacrifice, and His coming in glory. Abraham saw also the earth restored to its Eden beauty, to be given him for an everlasting possession, as the final and complete fulfillment of the promise. As a pledge of this covenant of God with men, a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, symbols of the divine presence, passed between the severed victims, totally consuming them. Abraham does not pass through the divided animals which means that God would take responsibility if the covenant would be broken. This was the promise given in

When Moses establishes in Genesis that man was created in God’s image he is saying that mankind was created to be in a relationship with God. The desire God has for a relationship with His creation can be seen in Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” And They shall be My people, and I will be their God. Moses establishes in the God’s plan and desire for His creation. Even though sin has entered into this world God desire to be in a loving relationship with us has not changed. There were two types of covenants or treaties made in the Old Testament times 1 suzerain - vassal and 2 royal charter. The suzerain - vassal is the one of importance to us as it deals with a covenant being made by a King with a lesser person. As , establishes a covenant with God and mankind, it is one where the King has initiated a relationship with those He has created.

and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

For us then to understand God’s relationship to us , is of utmost importance because it is the first time that God is interacting with mankind. In Biblical revelation we know that God speaks to us within the culture and language of the people at that time. For us to get a greater understanding of Scripture we need to in part look at the culture of that time. In the ancient Near East the term image of God has significant meaning. In Egypt the king was believed to be in the image of their god. For the Egyptians the image of god communicated two main ideas 1 rulership and 2 sonship. “The king is the image of god because he has a relationship to the deity as the son of god and a relationship to the world as ruler for the god. In the ancient Near East these would have been understood as covenant relationships.” Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 77. Adam was given dominion of with world and we are promised to inherit a kingdom Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: says that Adam was the son of God says therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. In these verses we see the relationship that God had with Adam and the relationship He desires to have with us.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28

As suzerain, king God says that if we break His covenant with Him, which we have done He will die for us so that we can be reunited with Him. It was a promise to Abraham and all the world and to us today that God has reconciled us to Himself through the death of Jesus. The burning port and torch point to the fact that God will be Abram’s and our strong hold. In these images, Abram sees that as he lives in the presence of God, he will receive the blessing and protection God offers.

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

The king is the image of god because he has a relationship to the deity as the son of god and a relationship to the world as ruler for the god. In the ancient Near East these would have been understood as covenant relationships

In we see an establishment of a covenant with Abraham. 7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. Note that Abraham was promised land just as Adam was given land just as we are promised the inheritance of land in the kingdom prepared for us. God has not changed His plan for us. The making of a covenant in biblical times was done by cutting animals in half just like Abraham did. And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), . says that Adam was the son of God. In these two verses we see the relationship that God had with Adam.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .. In these two verses we see the relationship that God had with Adam.

Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 77.

Now we see a burning oven and a burning torch passing through the divided animals. Ellen White says in Patriarchs and Prophets page 137 The plan of redemption was here opened to him, in the death of Christ, the great sacrifice, and His coming in glory. Abraham saw also the earth restored to its Eden beauty, to be given him for an everlasting possession, as the final and complete fulfillment of the promise. As a pledge of this covenant of God with men, a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, symbols of the divine presence, passed between the severed victims, totally consuming them. Abraham does not pass through the divided animals which means that God would take responsibility if the covenant would be broken. This was the promise given in And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

The plan of redemption was here opened to him, in the death of Christ, the great sacrifice, and His coming in glory. Abraham saw also the earth restored to its Eden beauty, to be given him for an everlasting possession, as the final and complete fulfillment of the promise.

God has been badly represented for many years. He has been described as a tyrant, dictator, angry and even at times blood thirsty. However, I see a very different picture of God as we see Him through a covenantal relationship. I do not see a God whom I have to fear or be scared of. Instead I see God as a creator that is willing and did take what I should endure. Death. From the beginning of time God has always and will always love us with an everlasting love which we can enjoy through the experience of living in an everlasting covenantal relationship with Him. In this relationship God offers all of us His protection and to be our strong hold.

Also, note that in these texts there is a great deal of cutting taking place and Abraham is waiting for something to take place. And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.

When Moses establishes in Genesis that man was created in God’s image he is saying that mankind was created to be in a relationship with God. The desire God has for a relationship with His creation can be seen in  Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” and  They shall be My people, and I will be their God. Moses establishes in the God’s plan and desire for His creation. Even though sin has entered into this world God desire to be in a loving relationship with us has not changed. There were two types of covenants or treaties made in the Old Testament times 1 suzerain - vassal and 2 royal charter. The suzerain - vassal is the one of importance to us as it deal the a covenant being made by a King with a lesser person. As , establishes a covenant with God and mankind, it is one where the King has initiated a relationship with those He has created.

Abraham does not pass through the divided animals which means that God would take responsibility if the covenant would be broken. This was the promise given in And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

As suzerain, king God says that if we break His covenant with Him, which we have done, He will die for us so that we can be reunited with Him. It was a promise to Abraham and all the world and to us today that God has reconciled us to Himself through the death of Jesus. The burning port and torch point to the fact that God will be Abram’s and our strong hold. In these images, Abram sees that as he lives in the presence of God, he will receive the blessing and protection God offers.

Between you and the woman,

As a pledge of this covenant of God with men, a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, symbols of the divine presence, passed between the severed victims, totally consuming them. And again a voice was heard by Abraham, confirming the gift of the land of Canaan to his descendants, “from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”

God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology Reflections on Covenant Relationship

There is a covenant relationship between father and son, since family relationships are covenantal in the Old Testament. There is an obligation on the part of the stronger party, Joseph, to help the weaker party, Jacob. The fulfillment of this obligation is referred to as showing ḥesed and ’ĕmet, i.e., faithful, loyal love:

1. Covenant relationship

2. Obligation to help weaker party

3. Fulfillment of obligation demonstrates faithful, loyal love

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head,

And you shall bruise His heel.”

The New King James Version Chapter 17

8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

As we enter into a new week let us have a look at our lives and see that God wants to be a part our lives. He wants to be our strong hold when things are tough, He wants to be our protection when we are battered by the storms of life. May we enter into this covenant with God today and forever more.

The firepot or “tannur” was used for the backing of bread () it was also used for roasting grain for sacrifice (). K. A. Matthews continues to point out that the “tannur” also depicted divine judgment against Israel’s enemies (). The smoke “asan” can be seen as theophanies () which functions as a veil and at times God’s wrath (). The importance of these images’ points to the fact that God will be Abram’s strong hold. In these images ,Abram sees that as he lives in the presence of God, he will receive the blessing and protection God offers.

In we see an establishment of a covenant with Abraham. 7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. Note that Abraham was promised land just as Adam was given land just as we are promised the inheritance of land in the kingdom prepared for us. God has not changed His plan for us. Also not that in these text there is a great deal of cutting taking place and Abraham is waiting for something to take place. And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.

8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

(4) Covenant making involves a commitment or oath or promise and, frequently, signs or witnesses. Here the parties of the treaty solemnly swear to the agreement. While an oath is an important part of the covenant, it is not the covenant itself.

7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”

8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

Amen

The firepot or “tannur” was used for the backing of bread () it was also used for roasting grain for sacrifice (). K. A. Matthews continues to point out that the “tannur” also depicted divine judgment against Israel’s enemies (). The smoke “asan” can be seen as theophanies () which functions as a veil and at times God’s wrath (). The importance of these images’ points to the fact that God will be Abram’s strong hold. In these images ,Abram sees that as he lives in the presence of God, he will receive the blessing and protection God offers.

9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying:

38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God;

“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates

38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God;

The first, ḥesed, has to do with showing kindness in loyal love. The second, ’ĕmet, can be translated by either “faithfulness” or “truth.” As a word pair, one cannot easily reduce the meaning of the whole to the sum of its constituent parts1(4) Covenant making involves a commitment or oath or promise and, frequently, signs or witnesses. Here the parties of the treaty solemnly swear to the agreement. While an oath is an important part of the covenant, it is not the covenant itself.

(4) Covenant making involves a commitment or oath or promise and, frequently, signs or witnesses. Here the parties of the treaty solemnly swear to the agreement. While an oath is an important part of the covenant, it is not the covenant itself.

God has been badly represented for many years. He has been described as a tyrant, dictator, angry and even at times blood thirsty. However, I see a very different picture of God as we see Him through a covenantal relationship. I do not see a God whom I have to fear or be scared of. Instead I see God as a creator that is willing and did take what I should endure. Death. From the beginning of time God has always and will always love us with an everlasting love which we can enjoy through the experience of living in an everlasting covenantal relationship with Him. In this relationship God offers all of us His protection and to be our strong hold.

As we enter into a new week let us have a look at our lives and see that God wants to be a part our lives. He wants to be our strong hold when things are tough He wants to be our protection when we are battered by the storms of life. May we enter into this covenant with God today and forever more.

Amen

The first, ḥesed, has to do with showing kindness in loyal love. The second, ’ĕmet, can be translated by either “faithfulness” or “truth.” As a word pair, one cannot easily reduce the meaning of the whole to the sum of its constituent parts1(4) Covenant making involves a commitment or oath or promise and, frequently, signs or witnesses. Here the parties of the treaty solemnly swear to the agreement. While an oath is an important part of the covenant, it is not the covenant itself.

In the ceremony, animals are slaughtered and sacrificed. Each animal is cut in two and the halves are laid facing each other. Then the parties of the treaty walk between the halves of the dead animal(s). This action is symbolic. What is being expressed is this: each party is saying, “If I fail to keep my obligation or my promise, may I be cut in two like this dead animal.” The oath or promise, then, involves bringing a curse upon oneself for violating the treaty. This is why the expression “to cut a covenant” is the conventional language for initiating a covenant in the Old Testament.1

1 Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 58–59.

Lamb slain