There are quite a few covenants mentioned in the Scriptures, the ones with Noah and his descendants and also with Abraham and his descendants spring to mind. But the ones we will be discussing in this post are the old and new covenants. The covenant with the Israelites, given to Moses, the covenant of the law, and the covenant of grace, mediated by Christ.
After God had freed Israel from Egypt, He made a covenant with them. He gave them a law, He set up a system of priesthood for His worship, and gave them the covenant on two stone tablets. On these tablets were written ten “words”, also translated as commandments, utterances, matters. They can be seen as chapter headings for the other commandments which can be used to show how the ten should be kept. The first copy was written by the finger of God. Up till this time, God had spoken, and it had happened, so this was a departure from His usual way of doing things.
However, the first copy didn’t last long. On the way down the mountain, Moses broke it, when he saw the people already breaking the law…worshipping the golden calf. So…back up the mountain. Moses made a new set of tablets, God gave him the words and Moses wrote them. (Ex 34, please read the whole chapter.)
According to Jewish tradition, the law of Moses was given on the feast of Pentecost, which is also known as the feast of Weeks, Shavuot. This covenant was temporary, and God promised them a NEW covenant.
This new covenant was to have a new law, and a new priesthood, Hebrews 7 and 8.
This new covenant was ratified by the shedding of Christ’s blood and the breaking of His body. Mark 14: 22And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24And he said to them, “This is my blood of thec covenant, which is poured out for many.
Thus it was established. At Pentecost, the new covenant was empowered by the Holy Spirit. The followers of Jesus, up till that time, were afraid and timid. With the giving of the Holy Spirit Acts 2 records the conversion of some three thousand souls. Peter and the others spoke and acted with conviction and bravery, and this was to mark the rest of their lives, willingly living and dying for Jesus, as a witness to Him.
In Jeremiah 31. God promised Israel a new covenant. It was not to be like the old covenant, but was to be with those who know Him. His law will be on their hearts, and He will forgive their sins and no longer remember them. This sounds awfully like Christian conversion to me! In 2 Cor 3 Paul refers to the followers of Christ as ministers of the new covenant, and in 1 Cor 11, to partake of the Lord’s Supper, the sign of the New Covenant.
The house of Israel and the house of Judah then, are not physical. They are represented by the body of Christ, His Ekklesia, His church, His bride. His followers from every age, that have turned to Him, and whom He has made a new creation, and who have His law of love written on their hearts.
There are many differences between the two covenants. Here are a few.
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1)
The old covenant is a shadow (Col. 2:14-17) while the new covenant is the reality (Heb. 10:1-18)
The old covenant had many high priests (Heb. 7:23) while the new covenant has only one high priest (Jesus Christ) (Heb. 7:24-28)
The old covenant was fulfilled (Mat. 5:17-18) while the new covenant is now in force (Heb. 8:6, 10:9)
The old covenant is a ministry of death while the new covenant is a ministry of life (2 Cor 3:6-7)
The old covenant is for Israelites only (Det 4: 7-8) while the new covenant is for all men (Luke 22:20)
The two covenants should not be mixed. They are separate. The old was for the Israelites, and Christ fulfilled it. The new came into operation on His death, and is for His followers, Christians. Just as you do not put new wine into old wineskins, you do not try to force the believers of Christ to follow an old obsolete covenant.
Galatians 4: Example of Hagar and Sarah
21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;e she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28Now you,f brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Those of us who are already free, are free indeed. We have no desire or need to go back to Mt Sinai with Moses. His job is done.
Join us on Mt. Zion in the freedom of grace, and give glory to the Lord!
Light of Christ 