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 | | From: | Steve Goltra | | Subject: | The Blood Covenant Ritual | | Date: | Sat, 15 Jan 2005 01:15:04 GMT |
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 | For a further understanding of God's special, covenant relationship with the
Jews, I offer the following that might help to clarify this unique
relationship, that does not require works of any kind on the Jews part to
satisfy it and continue in it:
The word "Covenant" is used throughout the Bible (The Old Covenant- the Old
Testament & the New Covenant- the New Testament.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
gives us the following definition of Covenant that might be helpful:
Topics: Cov'enant
Text: a contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the
Hebrew word BERITH is always thus translated. BERITH is derived from a root
which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to
the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting
parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18,
19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is DIATHEKE, which
is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It
ought to be rendered, just as the word BERITH of the Old Testament,
"COVENANT." This word is used :
(1.) of a covenant or compact between man and man (Gen. 21: 32), or between
tribes or nations (1 Sam. 11:1; Josh. 9:6, 15). In entering into a
covenant, Jehovah was solemnly called on to witness the transaction (Gen.
31:50), and hence it was called a "covenant of the Lord" (1 Sam. 20:8). The
marriage compact is called "the covenant of God" (Prov. 2:17), because the
marriage was made in God's name. Wicked men are spoken of as acting as if
they had made a "covenant with death" not to destroy them, or with hell not
to devour them (Isa. 28:15, 18).
(2.) The word is used with reference to God's revelation of himself in the
way of promise or of favour to men. Thus God's promise to Noah after the
Flood is called a covenant (Gen. 9; Jer.l 33:20, "my covenant"). We have an
account of God's covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17, comp. Lev. 26:42], of the
covenant of the priesthood (Num. 25:12, 13; Deut. 33:9; Neh. 13:29), and of
the covenant of Sinai (Ex. 34:27, 28; Lev. 26:15], which was afterwards
renewed at different times in the history of Israel (Deut. 29; Josh. 24; 2
Chr. 15; 23; 29; 34; Ezra 10; Neh. 9).
In conformity with human custom, God's covenant is said to be confirmed with
an oath (Deut. 4:31; Ps. 89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Gen. 9;
17). Hence the covenant is called God's "counsel," "oath," "promise" (Ps.
89:3, 4; 105:8-11; Heb. 6:13-20; Luke 1:68-75). God's covenant consists
wholly in the bestowal of blessing (Isa. 59:21; Jer. 31:33, 34).
The term covenant is also used to designate the regular succession of day
and night (Jer. 33:20), the Sabbath (Ex. 31:16), circumcision (Gen. 17:9,
10), and in general any ordinance of God (Jer. 34:13, 14). A "covenant of
salt" signifies an everlasting covenant, in the sealing or ratifying of
which salt, as an emblem of perpetuity, is used (Num. 18:19; Lev. 2:13; 2
Chr. 13:5). COVENANT OF WORKS, the constitution under which Adam was placed
at his creation. In this covenant,
(1.) The contracting parties were (a) God the moral Governor, and (b) Adam,
a free moral agent, and representative of all his natural posterity (Rom.
5:12-19).
(2.) The promise was "life" (Matt. 19:16, 17; Gal. 3:12).
(3.) The condition was perfect obedience to the law, the test in this case
being abstaining from eating the fruit of the "tree of knowledge," etc.
(4.) The penalty was death (Gen. 2:16, 17). This covenant is also called a
covenant of nature, as made with man in his natural or unfallen state; a
covenant of life, because "life" was the promise attached to obedience; and
a legal covenant, because it demanded perfect obedience to the law. The
"tree of life" was the outward sign and seal of that life which was promised
in the covenant, and hence it is usually called the seal of that covenant.
This covenant is abrogated under the gospel, inasmuch as Christ has
fulfilled all its conditions in behalf of his people, and now offers
salvation on the condition of faith. It is still in force, however, as it
rests on the immutable justice of God, and is binding on all who have not
fled to Christ and accepted his righteousness. COVENANT OF GRACE, the
eternal plan of redemption entered into by the three persons of the Godhead,
and carried out by them in its several parts. In it the Father represented
the Godhead in its indivisible sovereignty, and the Son his people as their
surety (John 17:4, 6, 9; Isa. 42:6; Ps. 89:3). The conditions of this
covenant were,
(1.) On the part of the Father (a) all needful preparation to the Son for
the accomplishment of his work (Heb. 10:5; Isa. 42:1-7); (b) support in the
work (Luke 22:43); and (c) a glorious reward in the exaltation of Christ
when his work was done (Phil. 2:6-11), his investiture with universal
dominion (John 5:22; Ps. 110:1), his having the administration of the
covenant committed into his hands (Matt. 28:18; John 1:12; 17:2; Acts 2:33),
and in the final salvation of all his people (Isa. 35:10; 53:10, 11; Jer.
31:33; Titus 1:2).
(2.) On the part of the Son the conditions were (a) his becoming incarnate
(Gal. 4:4, 5); and (b) as the second Adam his representing all his people,
assuming their place and undertaking all their obligations under the
violated covenant of works; (c) obeying the law (Ps. 40:8; Isa. 42:21; John
9: 4, 5), and (d) suffering its penalty (Isa. 53; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13),
in their stead. Christ, the mediator of, fulfils all its conditions in
behalf of his people, and dispenses to them all its blessings. In Heb. 8:6;
9:15; 12:24, this title is given to Christ. (See DISPENSATION.)
"Muz" wrote in message
news:EgEFd.6665$Ii4.2880@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Well, let's start with Moses...
>
There is simply no scriptural basis for this statement. Nowhere is
this incident called a test for Moses, nor is there any implicaiton
that God isn't serious about destroying the nation. In fact, the
evience points to the contrary. God's anger is burning towards them,
because they've made a golden calf to worship.
>
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