COVENANT

I wrote a short FB article recently which since developed into a sermon I preached last Sunday. I have decided to enlarge it here into a full blog, I trust it will be a blessing to you.
What is a Covenant ?
A Contract
A Treaty or Alliance of marriage or friendship between God and man or between humans.
The Hebrew word Bryith for Covenant means “a cutting”.At 8 days when a Jewish male was circumcised be beacame “a son of the Covenant”.
Not only was this common practice amongst the Jews but many cultures even down to today.
A Covenant requires three things.
1. The words or promises of the Covenant
2. The shedding of blood
3. the seal(proof) of the Covenant
Let us look firstly at the Covenant between 2 men 1 Samuel 18:1-4 look at the exchanges.
The exchanging of robes indicated, these clothes represent me, and all I am is available to you if you ever need me.
The exchanging of the sword etc. represents strength, if you ever need my strength I am available to you.
Covenants between God and Man
1. The Edenic Covenant
2. The Adamic Covenant
3. The Noahic Covenant
4. The Abrahamic Covenant
5. The Mosaic Covenant
6. The Palestinian Covenant
7. The David Covenant
8. The New Covenant
Let us look at a Covenant between God and Man. Genesis 15: 1-18
God called Abram out of the wicked idolatrous city of the Ur of the Chaldees.Between chapters 12-14 there was a growing intimacy and relationship developed between God and Abram. He would pitch his tent, build an altar and call upon the name of the Lord.
In Genesis 15:1 God reveals Himself by a new name “I am”
He would be Abraham’s shield (Protector) His strength, remember the swords in 1 Sam.18
He would be Abraham’s “exceeding great reward” He would meet all his needs, again a similar commitment that David & Jonathan made to each other.
Abraham was told the cut the animals and spread the carcasses apart. Then for some reason Abraham goes to sleep. !!!! When he awakes he sees a smoking oven and a burning torch passing between the pieces of the animal. Most believe this was Jesus taking on a form and making the Covenant with Abraham.
Let us go back to David & Jonathan, some Commentators suggest they were out in a filed, and killed an animal and as they walked between the pieces of the animal that is when the exchanges took place. The most common practice in that day was to take a knife and cut their wrists, and then let their blood mingle together. Then take the knife put it in the fire, and when it was hot place the knife on the cut to congeal the blood. This left a scar and a permanent reminder to them they were in Covenant.
David went to live in the palace. but still looked after sheep, and because of the isolation became the “sweet psalmist of Israel. Jonathan continued his royal duties, and also went out ot fight battles.
In 2 Samuel 1 25-26 David gets the devastating news that Jonathan had been killed in battle. He remembered the day Samuel came to his father’s house to anoint the next king and after looking at all Jesse’s sons, asked “Do you have any other sons” David was out tending the sheep. David was called. Samuel knew immediately he was the one, and poured the holy anointing oil on David’s head. the Bible says from that time on, The Holy Spirit came on David. He became king of Judah, then had to fight numerous battles, and bring back the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he introduced a whole new form of worship. When all the battles were over he became the king over all Israel,. We come to 2 Samuel 9, and I believe he saw the scar, and cried out is there anyone left of Saul’s line that I can bless because of Jonathan, a servant said Jonathan has a son Mephibosheth, he is a cripple and lives in LoDebar.David had him brought to the palace, I think he said to Mephibosheth, do you see this scar, I was in Covenant with your father Jonathan, and because of that you will ive in the palace, sit at my table eat my food, I will restore land to you, and servants to work the land to give you an income, all the days of your life.
WE were cripples and Jesus says to us LOOK AT THE SCARS
I WANT TO MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS
YOU CAN BE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR
YOU HAVE CONTINUOUS ACCESS INTO MY PRESENCE
YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN INHERITANCE
YOU HAVE RECEIVED EVERYTHING TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE
I LOVE YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE
BECAUSE OF THE NEW COVENANT I AM OBLIGATED TO MEET YOUR NEED
THANK GOD FOR THE NEW COVENANT