The Abrahamic Covenant—4

The Abrahamic Covenant—4

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

We must understand that God relates to His people through covenants.  A covenant is greater than a promise.  A covenant is a bond in which each of those involved in the matter say, “Everything I have is yours.”  Covenant is total commitment.  In covenant with God, even though we are not totally committed to Him, He is totally committed to us. 

Each of God’s covenants contains a message for the time when it was established, a message for the Church today and a message for the future. 

The essentials of the Abrahamic covenant are outlined in Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV): “Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."  

In previous posts, we have seen the importance of separation unto God, the purpose of our lives, and the favor (barak) of God towards believers.  The fourth essential element in the covenant is that “in you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  Each of God’s covenants leads us to His Son Jesus. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus that all the families (nations) of the earth shall be blessed.  Simply put, the message of the gospel is to the Jew first and then to the gentile (to the non-Jew) (Romans 1:16).

Let’s follow the scripture path to our Savior.  In the genealogy of Jesus presented in Matthew 1, our Lord’s earthly lineage is traced to Abraham.  In that genealogy, Jesus descendancy from David is also recorded. That lineage was prophesized during the time of the Exodus more than 400 years after Abraham. 

 A pagan prophet, a gentile, Balaam, had been hired to curse the Israelites.  However, God intervened and allowed Balaam only to bless God’s people.  Part of that blessing can be found in Numbers 24:17 (NKJV): "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.”   

 A star generates is own light.  It does not reflect light from another source.  Many scriptures in the New Testament describe Jesus as Light and the Light of the World.  When Jesus was 8 days old, according to the custom, Joseph and Mary presented Him at the temple.  There Simeon, an aged man, blessed the Child, (Luke 2:29-32 (NKJV).  "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."  Simeon prophesied that salvation is for both the Jew and the Gentile.

Other scriptures: 

▪John 1:4 (NKJV) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 8:12 (NKJV) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

▪ John 1:9 (NKJV) That was the true Light which gives light to every person coming into the world.

▪ John 9:5 (NKJV) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Christians, too, are called to be light in the world:

Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV) "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Hundreds of years after Balaam, the prophet Isaiah spoke, (Isaiah 11:1-2 (NKJV): There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”  

Jesse is a descendant of Jacob, of the tribe of Judah, the father of King David and, thus, fulfillment of the prophecy of Balaam.

The prophecy of Isaiah continues, (Isaiah 11:10 (NKJV) "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."  Jesus brings the blessing of salvation to both the Jew and the non-Jew.

In the Revelation given to the apostle John, Jesus Himself confirms that He is the fulfillment of the prophecy.  Revelation 22:16 (NKJV) "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

In Him all the families of the earth can receive the blessing of salvation.  He is the same yesterday, today.  

 Scripture tells us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).   Believe that He is the Son of Jehovah God; believe that He paid the price for your sin; believe that He rose again from the dead.  Enter into the Kingdom of God.  Receive His blessings so that you may bless others.  

Baruch HaShem Hamacsiach Yeshua Baruch HaShem Adonai. Blessing in the name of Messiah Jesus.  Blessing in the name of the Lord.