God’s Covenant – Preaching The Word

Deut 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Deuteronomy 7:9 is a key verse in Moses’ sprach to the Israelites before they enter “the promised land”. He is reminding them of the “character and promises” of God, who is their ONE and only true God.

Moses tells Israel that God is “faithful”, meaning God does what he says and never breaks His Word. He tells them that God “keeps His Covenant”: which is a solemn agreement between God and His people, in which God promises to bless them and protect them “if they obey him and worship him alone”.

Moses also says that God shows “mercy”, which is his kindness and compassion towards those who are in need or in trouble if they are keeping His covenant. Moses says that God does all these things for those who “love him and keep His commandments”, which are God’s laws and instructions for how to live a good and holy life.

Moses says God’s covenant and mercy extend to “a thousand generations”, which means that the covenant will last forever and is not limited by time or number. This covenant is to encourage the Israelites to trust God and follow him faithfully, as he has been faithful to them and their ancestors.

Moses wrote these words as directed by Holy Spirit about 1500 BC, which would be approximately 3,500 years ago. If we were to assume 20 years as a generation that would mean about 175 generations ago. Many Bible scholars view 1000 as a “figure of speech” meaning forever (eternity).

Regardless of the length of a generation, we are nowhere new a 1000 generations since God’s revelation to Moses, therefor this Everlasting Covenant is still in effect.

A covenant is a solemn agreement between God and His people, in which God promises to bless them and protect them “if they obey him and worship him alone”.

In its simple form, a covenant contains a promise with a conditional outcome based on the actions of the parties. God is always faithful, He keepeth! However, people are fickle and unfaithful a do not keep the covenant. We use the term break/violate, but not dissolve.

The first time God uses the word covenant is with Noah, however later God speaking through Hosea calls the relationship with Adam and Eve a covenant,

Hosea 6:7 states “As at Adam, [fn] they have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there.” (niv)

Starting with Noah, the Bible refers to God’s Covenant revelation‎ to Noah, Abraham, Moses (Israel), David, and Christ as an “Everlasting Covenant“, singular (ONE covenant). [Gen 9:16, Gen 17:7, Lev 24:8, 2 Sam 23:5, Hbr 13:20]

Hosea is saying that God’s Covenant with Adam was the foundation (basis) for God’s Everlasting Covenant with Israel, or equal to the other Everlasting Covenant revelations. In its simple form, God’s covenant provides a blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience!

Below are links to an “e-book” about “God’s Everlasting Covenant” relationship with mankind. God’s Everlasting Covenant forms the backbone or central strand of a rope that unites the Bible (Old & New Testament) into ONE Story that is progressively “unveiled and revealed” through the biblical covenants, and how all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, defining the church as God’s new covenant people.

Theologians call this concept “Progressive Covenantalism” which sees God’s plan of redemption starting with God’s covenant with the first Adam and moving through Noah, Abraham, Moses (Israel), David, and Christ as an “Everlasting Covenant“, singular (ONE covenant) finished with the last Adam Christ.

The first and last Adam are two titles that the Bible uses to compare and contrast the roles of “Adam” and “Jesus Christ” in God’s plan of salvation. The first Adam is the man who was created by God in His image and likeness, and who disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden.

As a result of Adam’s sin, he brought death and curse to himself and all his descendants. The last Adam is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth as a human being, and who obeyed God perfectly by dying on the cross for the sins of the world. As a result of his obedience, He brought life and blessing to Himself and all who believe in Him.

The first Adam was a living being, but the last Adam was a life-giving spirit. The first Adam lost his dominion over creation, but the last Adam regained it and will restore it fully when He returns. The first Adam was tempted and failed, but the last Adam was tempted and overcame. The first Adam put sin and death upon all humanity, but the last Adam brought forgiveness and eternal life to all who receive Him by faith.