God’s Covenant with the nation of Israel 2

God’s Covenant with the nation of Israel 2

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

God’s covenant with the nation of Israel, as with all His covenants and prophetic words, has a message for the time when it was established, a message for the Church today and a message for the future.

Often called the Mosaic Covenant, it is important because it pictures the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus and Israel’s role in bringing that message to the world.

The Mosaic Covenant is a conditional covenant made between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24).  It is different from the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant in Jesus Christ.  Those covenants are unconditional.  In contrast, the blessings of the Mosaic covenant are poured out when Israel is obedient to the Lord.

The most well known section of the covenant is The Decalogue or Ten Commandments.  It is interesting to note that in the original language the word “commandment” is not used.  Commentary from the One New Man Bible recounts, “When they are given again in Deut. 5:6-18 and Deut. 10:4 these are referred to as statements.”  The phrase “The Lord spoke” does not necessarily mean that the Lord commanded.

The ONMB goes on to comment, “These instructions were given in the future tense because all who commit to Him will change behavior and no longer do those things.”  We often tell people that in order to have a relationship with the Lord, they must give up inappropriate behaviors.  The original language suggests that when we come into a relationship with God, we will no longer want to walk in our old mindsets and lifestyles.  It is relationship that brings us into repentance.

The first four statements deal with loving God; the last six concern human behavior and relationships.  Notice that even in the list, relationship with God comes first.  We see the Jewish understanding of that concept in Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV).   A lawyer came to question Jesus. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"  Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."  Our relationship with the Lord leads us into quality relationships and behaviors.

In establishing that order, God identifies Himself.  “I am the Lord your God Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, and of the house of bondage” Exodus 20:2 ONMB.  How is that message relevant for us today?

One way of digging deeper into the Word of God is known as the rule of first mention. To more fully understand “Egypt” in scripture, we must go to the place where Egypt is first mentioned.  Genesis 12:10 (NKJV) “Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land."

 

God has said that He would provide for Abram in the land of Canaan.  Abram‘s faith was not great at that point in his life.  So, he went into Egypt and into trouble that continues today.  It was in Egypt that Abram and Sarai acquired Hagar who became the mother of Ishmael who is the father of many of the tribes in the Middle East today.  Abram became a victim of the world system. 

Therefore, Egypt becomes a symbol of what happens in our lives when we walk out of God’s will and into the world system. Bondage to fear, unbelief and sin takes control of our lives.  In His covenant fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lord God brings us out of all that.

The more we realize the relationship involved in our covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus, the more we will desire to walk out of the ways of the world and into the blessings of God.  

The second statement is “You will have no other gods before Me. You will not make any graven image for yourself, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You will not bow down to yourself to them, or serve them, for I AM the Lord your God, a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:3-6 NOMB). That is God declaring how we are changed in our relationship with Him. That is God declaring covenant over us.

God describes Himself as a jealous God.  We often confuse jealousy with envy.  Even though now we tend to use the two words as synonyms, in earlier years, their definitions were distinctive.  To be envious was to desire what belonged to another.  To be jealous was to desire to keep what was already in one’s possession.  God is jealous to keep us close to Him.  He desires close relationship with us.  All of what we have called commandments are, in reality, God’s directives for an abundant, joyful and peaceful life style.  

Remember Jesus’ words in John 10:10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (NKJV). God’s statements declare that when we are in relationship with Him, our desire, too, will be to have life and have it more abundantly.  

Just as I Am

By Charlotte Elliot

1	Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
2	Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot; To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
3	Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt; Fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
4	Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind; Yes, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
5	Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
6	Just as I am, Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

The Sinai Covenant: God’s La Dolce Vita

The Sinai Covenant:  God’s La Dolce Vita

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Once again we return to the important subject of covenants.  Once again we must keep in mind that God relates to His people through covenants.  A covenant is greater than a promise.  It is a bonding. 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.  

God’s covenant given on Mount Sinai, as with all His covenants and prophetic words, has a message for the time when it was established, a message for the Church today and a message for the future. 

The Sinai covenant is important because it pictures the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus and Israel’s role in bringing that message to the world.This particular covenant is a conditional covenant made between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24).  

The Sinai Covenant is different from the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant in Jesus Christ.  Those covenants are unconditional.  However, the blessings of the Sinai covenant are poured out when Israel is obedient to the Lord.  One message of the covenant is that while God’s love is unconditional, His blessings are conditional.  Blessings come with obedience.

This is not a message of salvation by works.  We are saved by grace through faith.  Even that faith is not our own.  It is a gift from God.  (Ephesians 2:8).  It is a message that when we live the life God has prescribed, we will be blessed.  

In Romans 8, Paul describes the unconditional love of God.  ^“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 NKJV).  No matter who we are, where we are, what we believe or don’t believe, we are each one radically loved by God. 

God is good. Therefore, His commandments are good. He is for us and not against us.  The purpose of God’s commandments is to lead us into lives that are productive and peaceful, into lives that are abundant.  “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

In the light of God’s love for us and His desire for our lives to be abundant, God spoke to the nation of Israel and speaks to believers today, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out” (Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NKJV).

Likewise, the Lord spoke, "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.  Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out” (Deuteronomy 28:15-19 NKJV).

If following the commandments brings a productive life, then not following the commandments will bring an unproductive life.  It all depends on the choices we make in life.  Even if God did not exist, the Biblical lifestyle is still the most productive, joyful and stress free lifestyle. When we live and move and have our being in Him, blessings overtake us.  

In the next few post, we will more closely examine the road to an abundant life in Him. We will rejoice in the La Dolce Vita of walking with the Lord.

Rachel: The Bride of Christ: God’s Light and Increase

Rachel:  The Bride of Christ:  God’s Light and Increase

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Several biblical symbols represent the church. Among them is the church's calling as the holy, radiant, spotless Bride of Christ, the Lamb of God. Many times women in scripture picture the attributes of the church as that Bride. None is flawless, but each is beloved. Even so, the church, the Bride of the Lamb, though not without flaw, is dearly loved of our Lord.

Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban.  She was the beloved wife of the patriarch Jacob.  Her Hebrew name, Rochel, is numerically equivalent to the phrase vayehi ohr, “and there was light.”  In her features and in her demeanor was light; she illuminated the lives of those in her presence. 

As with her sister Leah, Rachel’s destiny, her portrayal of the church, lies in her children.  Rachel prayed for the Lord to give her children.  After many years, “God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach." So she called his name Joseph, and said, "The LORD shall add to me another son" (Genesis 30:22-24 NKJV).

God did give Rachel another son.  On the family’s journey back to the Promised Land, near Bethlehem, Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.  “And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)” (Genesis 35:18-19 NKJV).

Before she died, Rachel named the child Ben-oni, “son of my sorrow.”  However, Jacob named him Benjamin, “son of my right hand.”  In other words, “son of my strength.”  Two mighty men were descendants of Benjamin.  King Saul was a man mighty in physical power.  The Apostle Paul was a man mighty in spiritual power. 

Joseph, whose name means “the Lord will increase” illustrates God’s increasing provision for His children.  Egypt increased in power, influence and wealth when Joseph served as second unto Pharaoh during the years of famine. 

During the years in Egypt before the famine, Joseph fathered two sons.  Manasseh, the older, was a comfort and healing to his father.  His name means, “God has caused me to forget.” “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house" (Genesis 41:51 NKJV).  The blessings of God in our lives and His ever-abiding presence outweigh the sorrow, anguish and despair of the world.

The Lord blessed Joseph with a second son. “And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." Ephraim means “double fruitfulness” (Genesis 41:52).  More than four hundred years later, when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, Ephraim was the largest tribe.  Both Joshua and the prophet Samuel were Ephraimites.  The sanctuary at Shiloh was in the territory of Ephraim.  When the kingdom was divided, Ephraim became the leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom.  Ephraim’s name was often used to indicate the Northern Kingdom. 

 

In Rachel’s story we learn that God seeks to bless, provide for and increase His people.  Like Rachel, we are to bring light into the darkness of our age.  During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke over believers, "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” (Matthew 5:13-16).

We, like Rachel, are commissioned to bring light into the world.  In that light, we find increase and strength.

Justice and Forgiveness

Justice and Forgiveness

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In every situation in life, God calls us to walk in His promises and instructs us in the ways of righteousness.  Our church’s current situation arises from a forced entry and robbery.  We were invaded and attacked by both the perpetrators of the crime and the enemy of our souls.  Because our church building and all its contents have been dedicated to the Lord, the ones who committed the crime touched not what was ours, but what was God’s. 

Our building was damaged and goods were taken.  What the thieves did not damage was our relationship with God nor our purpose as a church.  What they did not steal was the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  We are still walking in love, joy and peace.  We must continue to practice patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

As servants of God, we are called to balance justice with forgiveness.  Both are required in manifesting the glory of God.  A key scripture for us is: 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJV) “²⁴  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” 

We are servants of God and, as such, in humility we must call for the correction of those who have opposed us so that they may repent, know the truth of God and escape the captivity of sin. 

▪Justice leads to repentance.

Repentance comes when we begin thinking differently about ourselves and our relationship with the Lord. Consider Romans 12:2 (NKJV) “²  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Justice can bring us to a reconsideration of our priorities in life and our relationship with God.  That renewed thinking, which is true repentance, will bring about acceptable mindsets, behaviors and relationships.

▪ Repentance leads to truth.

The greatest truth is that God loves us and desires relationship with us.  2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) “⁹  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”   “Jesus loves me.  This I know for the Bible tells me so.”

▪ Truth leads to salvation.

The gospel of John expresses that concept:  John 3:16-18 (NKJV) “¹⁶  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

No one goes to eternal damnation for breaking the commandments.  The lake of fire awaits those who do not accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and make Him the Lord and Savior of their lives.  He became our Savior when He went to the cross.  He becomes our Lord when we chose to walk in His ways.  

 Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NKJV).   When we choose the path of sin, we have not made Him our Lord and Savior; we do not love Him if we do not keep His commandments.

In love and mercy, God has declared, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).  God’s love and mercy reaches out to those who have come against us.

▪ While we demand justice for the deed, we must forgive the guilty one.

Biblical forgiveness means that even though others have hurt us, we choose not to hurt them in return. We will not speak evil against them.  We will seek justice and not vengeance.

 Forgiveness does not mean that we will not protect ourselves.  We will make our church building more secure.  Forgiveness does not mean that we will overlook or excuse the crime. That is denial and actually enables wrongdoing. 

God does not forgive us because we deserve to be forgiven.  He forgives us out of His mercy and grace. Therefore, we do not forgive others because they deserve to be forgiven.  Our forgiveness must be an act of mercy and grace. 

We must forgive because God has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV) “³²  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” 

We must forgive in order to be forgiven. Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV) ¹⁴  "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

We must forgive in order to bring God’s peace into our own hearts. Hebrews 12:14-15 (NKJV) ^“14  Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”

We will forgive because God has promised to bless us in all circumstances if we are walking in His will. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) “²⁸  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 

Please pray with us.

Our Father,

We lift before the throne those who have come against us.  We pray for justice to lead them to repentance, for repentance to lead them to truth, for truth to lead them to salvation.  

We forgive as we have been forgiven.  We thank You for the restoration of all things the enemy has tried to take from us.  

You alone are our hope and our salvation, our truth and our light, our peace and our provision.

In Jesus’ Name and in remembrance of the finished work of the cross,

 Amen