Part 3: Abraham - The Promises, Covenant and Oath swearing

God’s dealings with Abraham – the Promises, Covenant and Oath swearing

Introduction:

God getting down to business

God is now getting serious about the healing, restoration and salvation of mankind and He chooses to start this process with a man called Abram (his name was later changed to Abraham).

I thought it appropriate to first give a short overview of Abraham’s life before I go into detail of what God had in mind for mankind through this patriarch.

 

Overview of Abraham’s life

The following synopsis, giving an overview of Abraham’s life was taken from the “Smith’s Bible Dictionary – E-sword” and I believe you will find it very valuable (words made bold done by me)

A'braham. (father of a multitude). Abraham was the son of Terah, and founder of the great Hebrew nation. (B.C. 1996-1822). His family, a branch of the descendants of Shem, was settled in Ur of the Chaldees, beyond the Euphrates, where Abraham was born. Terah had two other sons, Nahor and Haran. Haran died before his father in Ur of the Chaldees, leaving a son, Lot; and Terah, taking with him Abram, with Sarai his wife and his grandson Lot, emigrated to Haran in Mesopotamia, where he died.'

On the death of his father, Abram, then in the 75th year of his age, with Sarai and Lot, pursued his course to the land of Canaan, whither he was directed by divine command, Gen_12:5, when he received the general promise that he should become the founder of a great nation, and that all the families of the earth should be blessed in him. He passed through the heart of the country by the great highway to Shechem, and pitched his tent beneath the terebinth of Moreh. Gen_12:6. Here he received in vision from Jehovah the further revelation that this was the land which his descendants should inherit. Gen_12:7.

The next halting-place of the wanderer was on a mountain between Bethel and Ai, Gen_12:8, but the country was suffering from famine, and Abram journeyed still southward to the rich corn lands of Egypt. There, fearing that the great beauty of Sarai might tempt the powerful monarch of Egypt and expose his own life to peril, he arranged that Sarai should represent herself as his sister, which her actual relationship to him, as probably the daughter of his brother Haran, allowed her to do with some semblance of truth. But her beauty was reported to the king, and she was taken into the royal harem. The deception was discovered, and Pharaoh with some indignation dismissed Abram from the country. Gen_12:10-20.

 

He left Egypt with great possessions, and, accompanied by Lot, returned by the south of Palestine to his former encampment between Bethel and Ai. The increased wealth of the two kinsmen was the ultimate cause of their separation. Lot chose the fertile plain of the Jordan near Sodom, while Abram pitched his tent among the groves of Mamre, close to Hebron. Gen_13:1.

Lot with his family and possessions having been carried away captive by Chedorlaomer king of Elam, who had invaded Sodom, Abram pursued the conquerors and utterly routed them not far from Damascus. The captives and plunder were all recovered, and Abram was greeted on his return by the king of Sodom, and by Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who mysteriously appears upon the scene to bless the patriarch and receive from him a tenth of the spoil.Gen_14:1.

After this, the thrice-repeated promise that his descendants should become a mighty nation and possess the land in which he was a stranger was confirmed with all the solemnity of a religious ceremony. Gen_15:1. Ten years had passed since he had left his father's house, and the fulfillment of the promise was apparently more distant than at first. At the suggestion of Sarai, who despaired of having children of her own, he took as his concubine Hagar, her Egyptian main, who bore him Ishmael in the 86th year of his age. Gen_16:1.

But this was not the accomplishment of the promise. Thirteen years elapsed, during which Abram still dwelt in Hebron, when the covenant was renewed, and the rite of circumcision established as its sign. This most important crisis in Abram's life, when he was 99 years old, is marked by the significant change of his name to Abraham, "father of a multitude;" while his wife's from Sarai became Sarah.

Abram : high father

Abraham : father of a great multitude

Sarai : my lady; my princess

Sarah : lady; princess of the multitude

(Meanings of names – Deon Gerber)

 

The promise that Sarah should have a son was repeated in the remarkable scene described in Genesis 18. Three men stood before Abraham as he sat in his tent door in the heat of the day.

The patriarch, with true Eastern hospitality, welcomed the strangers, and bade them rest and refresh themselves. The meal ended, they foretold the birth of Isaac, and went on their way to Sodom. Abraham accompanied them, and is represented as an interlocutor in a dialogue with Jehovah, in which he pleaded in vain to avert the vengeance threatened to the devoted cities of the plain. Gen_18:17-33.

In remarkable contrast with Abraham's firm faith with regard to the magnificent fortunes of his posterity stand the incident which occurred during his temporary residence among the Philistines in Gerar, whither he had for some cause removed after the destruction of Sodom. It was almost a repetition of what took place in Egypt a few years before. At length Isaac, the long-looked for child, was born. Sarah's jealousy aroused by the mockery of Ishmael at the "great banquet" which Abram made to celebrate the weaning of her son, Gen_21:9 demanded that, with his mother Hagar, he should be driven out. Gen_21:10.

But the severest trial of his faith was yet to come. For a long period the history is almost silent. At length he receives the strange command to take Isaac, his only son, and offer him for a Burnt Offering at an appointed place Abraham hesitated not to obey. His faith, hitherto unshaken, supported him in this final trial, "accounting that God was able to raise up his son, even from the dead, from whence also he received him in a figure." Heb_11:19. The sacrifice was stayed by the angel of Jehovah, the promise of spiritual blessing made for the first time, and Abraham with his son returned to Beersheba, and for a time dwelt there. Gen_22:1.

 

But we find him after a few years in his original residence at Hebron, for there Sarah died, Gen_23:2, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah. The remaining years of Abraham's life are marked by but few incidents. After Isaac's marriage with Rebekah and his removal to Lahai-roi, Abraham took to wife Keturah, by whom he had six children, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbok and Shuah, who became the ancestors of nomadic tribes inhabiting the countries south and southeast of Palestine.

Abraham lived to see the gradual accomplishment of the promise in the birth of his grandchildren Jacob and Esau, and witnessed their growth to manhood. Gen_25:26. At the goodly age of 175, he was "gathered to his people," and laid beside Sarah in the tomb of Machpelah by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. Gen_25:7-10. (End of Smith’s synopsis)

This amazing journey of Abraham will eventually lead us to the finished work of Christ Jesus and to the fullness of the Holy Spirit and I want to add the following to the above

 

My synopsis of God’s dealings with Abraham…

Sin and death came into this world through Adam, although there was no knowledge of sin – not before God revealed what was locked up within the fruit of the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” – the Law of Moses – the secondary way of living.

Abraham was raised up by God before the Law was revealed, for the following reasons:

• For the restoration of all God’s blessings to mankind – promised to Abraham and his seed (all the families of the earth). Relevant Scriptures: Genesis 12:2; Genesis 15:19; Genesis 17:2,6; Genesis 22:16,17,18

• To allow the Holy Spirit to take up His rightful abode in us . Relevant Scriptures: Galatians 3:2, 5, 6; Galatians 3:13, 14

• To institute the Priesthood of Melchizedek - this is the forerunner of our High Priest Jesus Christ. Relevant Scriptures: Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:1-3

• To make (or rather “cut”) a covenant with Abraham (the only covenant “cut” by God) which would finally be confirmed in Jesus Christ. Relevant Scriptures: Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:1-14; Genesis 17:19, 21; Galatians 3:17. The covenant was to be kept by Abraham and his descendants by circumcision – the cutting of their own flesh.

   

  All the afore mentioned was given to us through the finished work of Jesus Christ

  A few Scriptures to confirm this:

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--

Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

 

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

 

Why is the life of Abraham of such great importance?

We would only be able to grasp and understand the profound fullness of the finished work of Jesus Christ our Lord, if we have full knowledge and understanding of the promises, covenant and oath swearing of God to Abraham.

 

THE EFFECTS OF ABRAHAM’S CALLING ON US

The highlights of God’s relationship with Abraham consist of:

• 1. Profound promises

• 2. The cutting of the covenant

• 3. The oath swearing

  I will deal with the above in the same order

   

  Section 1. Profound Promises

 

• God’s first visit to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) marks the beginning of promises and commitments made by God.

 

Gen 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;

Gen 12:2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;

Gen 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

• “Promise” defined – various definitions:

 

“Promise”

Primarily a law term, denoting "a summons", "to proclaim, to announce",

Also means "an undertaking to do or give something”

It frequently stands for the thing "promised," and so signifies a gift graciously bestowed, not a pledge secured by negotiation

So every promise made to Abraham and his descendants (both physical and spiritual) is an irrevocable undertaking from God that He Himself will do it and fulfil it, regardless.

 

Here are some other quotations from various authors about the word “Promise”

 

• “Promise” - Webster’s 1828 Dictionary – E-Sword

  In a general sense, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it , either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made, a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act. The promise of a visit to my neighbour, gives him a right to expect it, and I am bound in honour and civility to perform the promise.

   

  In law, a declaration, verbal or written, made by one person to another for a good or valuable consideration, in the nature of a covenant, by which the promiser binds himself, and as the case may be, his legal representatives, to do or forbear some act, and gives to the promisee a legal right to demand and enforce a fulfillment.

  A binding declaration of something to be done or given for another's benefit; as the promise of a grant of land. A promise may be absolute or conditional;lawful or unlawful; express or implied. An absolute promise must be fulfilled at all events. The obligation to fulfill a conditional promise depends on the performance of the condition.

   

  In Scripture, the promise of God is the declaration or assurance which God has given in his word of bestowing blessings on his people. Such assurance resting on the perfect justice, power, benevolence and immutable veracity of God, cannot fail of performance.

  The Lord is not slack concerning his promises. 2 Pet 3:9

   

• “Promise” – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia – E-Sword

  Promise holds an important place in the Scriptures and in the development of the religion that culminated in Christ. The Bible is indeed full of “precious and exceeding great promises” (2Pe_1:4), although the word “promise” is not always used in connection with them.

   

  Of the more outstanding promises of the Old Testament may be mentioned:

  (1) the proto-evangelium (Gen_3:15);

  (2) the promise to Noah no more to curse the ground, etc. (Gen_8:21, Gen_8:22; 9:1-17);

  (3) most influential, the promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation in whom all families of the earth should be blessed, to give to him and his seed the land of Canaan (Gen_12:2, Gen_12:7, etc.), often referred to in the Old Testament ( Exo_12:25; Deu_1:8, Deu_1:11; Deu_6:3; Deu_9:28, etc.);

  (4) the promise to David to continue his house on the throne (2Sa_7:12, 2Sa_7:13, 2Sa_7:18; 1Ki_2:24, etc.);

  (5) the promise of restoration of Israel, of the Messiah, of the new and everlasting kingdom, of the new covenant and outpouring of the Spirit (Isa_2:2-5; Isa_4:2;Isa_55:5; Isa_66:13; Jer_31:31-34; Jer_32:37-42; Jer_33:14; Eze_36:22-31; Eze_37:11 f; Eze_39:25 f, etc.).

   

  In the New Testament, these promises are founded on and regarded as having their true fulfilment in, Christ and those who are His (2Co_1:20; Eph_3:6). The promise of the Spirit is spoken of by Jesus as “the promise of my Father” (Luk_24:49; Act_1:4), and this was regarded as fulfilled at Pentecost.The promise of a Saviour of the seed of David is regarded as fulfilled in Christ (Act_13:23, Act_13:32, Act_26:6; Rom_1:2; Rom_4:13; Rom_9:4).

  Paul argues that the promise to Abraham that he should be “heir of the world,” made to him before circumcision, is not confined to Israel, but is open to all who are children of Abraham by faith (Rom_4:13-16; compare Gal_3:16, Gal_3:19, Gal_3:29).

   

  The New Testament promises include manifold blessings and hopes, among them “life,” “eternal life” (1Ti_4:8; 1Ti_6:19; 2Ti_1:1; Jam_1:12), the “kingdom”(Jam_2:5), Christ's “coming” (2Pe_3:9, etc.), “new heavens and a new earth” (2Pe_3:13), etc.

  (End of quotation from ISBE)

• “Promise” - Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words – E-Sword

  Primarily a law term, denoting "a summons" - "to proclaim, announce",

  Also meant "an undertaking to do or give something”

  Except in Act_23:21 it is used only of the "promises" of God.

  It frequently stands for the thing "promised," and so signifies a gift graciously bestowed, not a pledge secured by negotiation; thus, inGal_3:14, "the promise of the Spirit" denotes "the promised Spirit": cf. Luk_24:49; Act_2:33 and Eph_1:13; so in Heb_9:15, "the promise of the eternal inheritance" is "the promised eternal inheritance." On the other hand, in Act_1:4, "the promise of the Father," is the "promise" made by the Father.

  In Gal_3:16, the plural "promises" is used because the one "promise" to Abraham was variously repeated (Gen_12:1-3; Gen_13:14-17; Gen_15:18; Gen_17:1-14;Gen_22:15-18), and because it contained the germ of all subsequent "promises"; cf. Rom_9:4; Heb_6:12; Heb_7:6; Heb_8:6; Heb_11:17;

  Galatians 3 is occupied with showing that the "promise" was conditional upon faith and not upon the fulfilment of the Law. The Law was later than, and inferior to, the "promise," and did not annul it, Gal_3:21; cf. Gal_4:23, Gal_4:28.

  Again, in Eph_2:12, "the covenants of the promise" does not indicate different covenants, but a covenant often renewed, all centering in Christ as the "promised" Messiah-Redeemer, and comprising the blessings to be bestowed through Him.

   

  In 2Co_1:20 the plural is used of every "promise" made by God: cf. Heb_11:33; in Heb_7:6, of special "promises" mentioned. For other applications of the word, see, e.g.,Eph_6:2; 1Ti_4:8; 2Ti_1:1; Heb_4:1; 2Pe_3:4, 2Pe_3:9;

  (End of quotation from VINE)

   

• My contribution to the above definitions and explanations

  2 Corinthians 1:20 (different translations) – THIS IS ABOUT JESUS

  (AMP) For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason, we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.

  (BBE) For he is the Yes to all the undertakings of God: and by him, all the words of God are made certain and put into effect, to the glory of God through us.

(MSG) Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident.

(NASB) For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

 

• 1.1 A list of all the promises, covenant decrees and oath swearing declarations that God made to Abraham

 

First the relevant Scriptures:

Gen 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house To the land which I will show you;

Gen 12:2 And (1)I will make you a great nation, And (2) I will bless you, And (3)make your name great; And so (4)you shall be a blessing;

Gen 12:3 And (5)I will bless those who bless you, And (6)the one who curses you I will curse. And (7)in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

 

Gen 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, (8)"To your descendants (seed, offspring) I will give this land."

Gen 13:14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;

Gen 13:15 for (9)all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.

Gen 13:16 (10)"I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.

Gen 13:17 "Arise, (11)walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you."

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.

Gen 14:19 (12)He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

Gen 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, (13)Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all.

Gen 15:1 AFTER THESE things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, (14)Fear not, Abram, (15)I am your Shield, (16)your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great. (AMP)

Gen 15:4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; (17)but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."

Gen 15:5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and (18)count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, (18)"So shall your descendants be."

Gen 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD; and (19)He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Gen 15:7 And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to (20)give you this land to possess it."

Gen 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, (21)"To your descendants, I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

Gen 15:19 (22)the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite

Gen 15:20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim

Gen 15:21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite."

Gen 17:2 (23)"I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And (24)I will multiply you exceedingly."

Gen 17:4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And (25)you will be the father of a multitude of nations.

Gen 17:5 "No longer shall your name be called Abram, But (26)your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Gen 17:6 (27)"I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and (28)I will make nations of you, and (29)kings will come forth from you.

Gen 17:7 (30)"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, (31)to be God to you and to your descendants after you.

Gen 17:8 (32)"I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and (33)I will be their God."

Gen 22:16 and said, "By Myself, I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son,

Gen 22:17 (34)indeed I will greatly bless you, and (35)I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and (36)your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.

Gen 22:18 (37)"In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice."

• Numerical list of the promises, covenant decrees and oath swearing declarations made by God to Abraham

1. Promise: I will make you a great nation (the birth of Israel promised) (Gen 12:2)

2. Promise: I will bless you (Gen 12:2)

3. Promise: I will make your name great (Gen 12:2)

4. Promise: You shall be a blessing (Gen 12:2)

5. Promise: I will bless those who bless you (Gen 12:3)

6. Promise: The one who curses you I will curse (Gen 12:3)

7. Promise: In you, all the families of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:3)

8. Promise: To your descendants (seed, offspring) I will give this land (Gen 12:7)

9. Promise: All the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever (Gen 13:15)

10. Promise: I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth (Gen 13:16)

11. Promise: Walk about the land; for I will give it to you (Gen 13:17)

12. Promise: Melchizedek - blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High (Gen 14:19)

13. Promise: Who has delivered your enemies into your hand (Gen 14:20)

14. Promise: Fear not (Gen 15:1)

15. Promise: I am your Shield (Gen 15:1)

16. Promise: I am your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great (Gen 15:1)

17. Promise: The one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir (Gen 15:4)

18. Promise: Count the stars - so shall your descendants be (Gen 15:5)

19. Promise: Abraham believed in the LORD, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (Gen 15:6)

20. Promise: I will give you this land to possess (inherit) it (Gen 15:7)

21. Covenant decree: To your descendants, I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates (Gen 15:18)

22. Covenant decree: Victory over all his enemies: the Kenite, the Kenizzite, the Kadmonite the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Rephaim, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Girgashite and the Jebusite (Gen 15:19-21)

23. Covenant decree: I will establish My covenant between Me and you (Gen 17:2)

24. Covenant decree: I will multiply you exceedingly (Gen 17:2)

25. Covenant decree: You will be the father of a multitude of nations (Gen 17:4)

26. Covenant decree: Your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations (Gen 17:5)

27. Covenant decree: I will make you exceedingly fruitful (Gen 17:6)

28. I Covenant decree: will make nations of you (Gen 17:6)

29. Covenant decree: Kings will come forth from you (Gen 17:6)

30. Covenant decree: I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant (Gen 17:7)

31. Covenant decree: To be God to you and to your descendants after you (Gen 17:7)

32. Covenant decree: I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession (Gen 17:8)

33. Covenant decree: I will be their God (Gen 17:8)

34. Oath swearing: Indeed I will greatly bless you (a blessing I will bless you) (Gen 22:17)

35. Oath swearing: I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore (multiplying I will multiply your descendants) (Gen 22:17)

36. Oath swearing: Your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies (Gen 22:17)

37. Oath swearing: In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed (Gen 22:18)

     

• All these promises, covenant declarations and oath swearing are realised in our lives in and through Jesus Christ

Gal 3:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Gal 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

Gal 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--

Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gal 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.

 

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

 

Section 2. The Cutting of the Covenant

 

God is now taking his dealings with Abraham one step further by securing everything that He has promised to Abraham and his descendants by the cutting of the covenant with him

 

• First – a closer look at what a covenant generally entails and at the covenant that God cut with Abraham:

 

COVENANTS

Different types of covenants were made in the Old Testament – some between God and men and some between men themselves

 

• The following explanation was taken from “Smith’s Bible Dictionary” – E-Sword)

Covenant.

The Hebrew berith means primarily "a cutting", with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jer_34:18-19. In the New Testament, the corresponding Greek word is diatheke, which is frequently translated testament, in the Authorized Version.

 

In its biblical meaning two parties, the word is used --

1. Of a covenant between God and man; for example, God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between men but was a promise or agreement by God.

The principal covenants are the covenant of works --God promising to save and bless men on condition of perfect obedience -- and the covenant of grace, orGod's promise to save men on condition of their believing in Christ and receiving him as their Master and Saviour.

The first is called the Old Covenant, from which we name the first part of the Bible the Old Testament, the Latin rendering of the word covenant. The second is called the New Covenant, or New Testament.

2. Covenant between man and man, that is, a solemn compact or agreement, either between tribes or nations, Jos_9:6;Jos_9:15; 1Sa_11:1, or between individuals, Gen_31:44. By which each party bound himself to fulfil certain conditions and was assured of receiving certain advantages.

In making such a covenant, God was solemnly invoked as witness, Gen_31:50, and an oath was sworn. Gen_21:31. A sign or witness of the covenant was sometimes framed, such a gift, Gen_21:30, or a pillar or heap of stones erected. Gen_31:52.

(End of Smith’s quotation)

 

• The following insightful explanation was taken from: “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword)

Covenant: 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, Jer_34:19).

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 (1Sa_11:1; Jos_9:6, Jos_9:15). In entering into a convenant, Jehovah was solemnly called on to witness the transaction (Gen_31:50), and hence it was called a “covenant of the Lord” (1Sa_20:8).

The marriage compact is called “the covenant of God” (Pro_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, Isa_28:18).

(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_33:20, “my covenant”). We have an account of God's covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17, compare Lev_26:42), of the covenant of the priesthood (Num_25:12, Num_25:13; Deu_33:9; Neh_13:29), and of the covenant of Sinai (Exo_34:27, Exo_34:28; 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 (Deu_4:31; Psa_89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Gen. 9; 17). Hence the covenant is called God's “counsel,” “oath,” “promise” (Psa_89:3, Psa_89:4; Psa_105:8-11;Heb_6:13-20; Luk_1:68-75). God's covenant consists wholly in the bestowal of blessing (Isa_59:21; Jer_31:33, Jer_31:34).

 

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; 2Ch_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” (Mat_19:16, Mat_19:17; 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, Gen_2:17).

 

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 (Joh_17:4, Joh_17:6, Joh_17:9; Isa_42:6; Psa_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 (Luk_22:43); and

(c.) a glorious reward in the exaltation of Christ when his work was done (Phi_2:6-11), his investiture with universal dominion (Joh_5:22 ; Psa_110:1), his having the administration of the covenant committed into his hands (Mat_28:18; Joh_1:12; Joh_17:2; Act_2:33), and in the final salvation of all his people (Isa_35:10; Isa_53:10,Isa_53:11; Jer_31:33; Tit_1:2 ).

(2.) On the part of the Son, the conditions were

(a.) his becoming incarnate (Gal_4:4, Gal_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 (Psa_40:8; Isa_42:21; Joh_9:4, Joh_9:5), and

(d.) suffering its penalty (Isa_53:1-12; 2Co_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; Heb_9:15; Heb_12:24, this title is given to Christ.

(End of Easton’s quotation)

- Further explanation on the concept “covenant”

Covenants were either “made”, “established” or “cut”

“CUT” a covenant – the Hebrew word: “ kârath” which means

To cut (off, down or asunder); by implication to destroy or consume;

Specifically to covenant (that is, make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces):

To cut or make a covenant, deriving from the practice of cutting an animal in two in the covenant ceremony. God “cut” a covenant with Abraham ( Gen_15:18) – not “established” or “made” (which are different Hebrew words)

A covenant was always CUT the following way and this was also the kind of covenant that God “CUT” with Abraham and his descendants:

In the ancient Hittite custom where one state has power and control over another and a covenant was cut – [an animal (or animals) were cut in two] – the puppet ruler as the inferior party to the covenant (or in some instances – both parties), would walk between the bleeding pieces of split animals, taking an oath of loyalty to his superior.

The oath of loyalty was taken by reciting the following: “May the gods do so to me (and more also) as was done to these animals if I do not fulfil the terms of this covenant.”

Quote from “Unlocking the Bible” by David Pawson – Page 85

“it is important to grasp the meaning of “covenant” clearly. Some confuse it with the word “contract”, but it is not a bargain struck between two parties of equal power and authority. A covenant is made entirely by one party to bless the other. The other party has only two choices: to accept the terms or to reject them. They cannot change them. When God makes covenants He keeps them and swears by them. Where a human being might say “by God I promise to do that”, God says “by myself, I have sworn”, because there is nothing above God to swear by. So He swears by Himself and He tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”

• Here are some critically important things concerning the covenant with Abraham:

Abraham pleased God through faith and not through the keeping of the Law of Moses.

God only cut a covenant with Abraham – not with Moses

The moment God cut a covenant with Abraham he had already in mind the fulfilment of the Law of Moses (which was not yet written at that stage).

 

Different types of covenants were made in the Old Testament – some between God and men and some between men themselves, BUT

NB! God only cut one covenant!

I.E.: the unilateral one that He cut with Abraham

This dramatic event of the only covenant that God cut is recorded in Genesis 15.

 

God’s run up to the covenant start with two wonderful promises

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great."

 

Abraham had a question concerning his offspring

Gen 15:2 Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"

Gen 15:3 And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir."

 

God’s reaction on his concern

Gen 15:4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."

Gen 15:5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, " So shall your descendants be."

Gen 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

 

In reply to Abraham’s question God started the process of cutting a covenant

Gen 15:7 And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it."

Gen 15:8 He said, "O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?"

Gen 15:9 So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon."

Gen 15:10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other, but he did not cut the birds.

Gen 15:11 The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

 

A covenant was always “CUT” this way:

An animal (or animals) were cut in two and the inferior party to the covenant (or in some instances – both parties) would walk between the bleeding pieces of the split animals reciting the following: “May the gods do so to me (and more also) as was done to these animals, if I do not fulfil the terms of this covenant.”

God allowed Abraham to fall asleep and spoke to him about the future of Israel

Gen 15:12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.

Gen 15:13 God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.

Gen 15:14 "But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterwards they will come out with many possessions.

Gen 15:15 "As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.

Gen 15:16 "Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete."

 

God Himself passes between the animal pieces to finalise the covenant

Gen 15:17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

During this most dramatic scene, God humbled Himself to accept the role of the inferior party to this covenant.

In the ancient Hittite custom where one state has power and control over another and a covenant was cut – a puppet ruler, the inferior party, would walk between the bleeding pieces of split animals, taking an oath of loyalty to his superior:

Because God knew that Abraham would regard himself as the inferior party, He allowed Abraham to fall in a deep sleep and He (God) made Himself the inferior party to the covenant and passed between the cut animals.

The smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces (a single blazing fire), was God Himself (the Shekinah - the manifested glory) who passed between these pieces!

God sets the unilateral terms of the covenant

Gen 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants, I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

Gen 15:19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite

Gen 15:20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim

Gen 15:21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite."

 

SO – God, as the promising party, cut a unilateral covenant with Abraham, with his seed and with his descendants. God initiated the covenant set the conditions and cut the covenant. God’s oath was unilateral, unconditional, with no requirements demanded from Abram as his part in this covenant. Abram simply believed.

This dramatic act prefigures the precious gift of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ in Whom this covenant was finally confirmed. Jesus made Himself of no reputation to die on a degrading cross for all humanity.

 

This is the only covenant that God ever made (“CUT”) and this covenant finds its final execution and implementation in Christ – in actual fact, it was confirmed in Christ the moment God made it with Abram

In the heavens, this was actually a covenant cut between God and His Son, Jesus Christ manifesting invisibility through Abraham.

The Bible is quite clear about this in Galatians 3

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ.

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

Gal 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Everyone who is in Christ is part of this covenant

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--

Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (NASB)

 

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (NKJV)

 

NB! The cutting of this covenant with Abraham and his descendants is recorded in Genesis 15 and further on in the Bible where reference is made to this covenant, God is either confirming the covenant, adding to it, applying it, or delivering up and bringing forth that which is unfinished relative to the original covenant

 

• The following Scriptures tell us how God is confirming His covenant, adding to it, applying it, delivering up and bringing forth His already cut covenant.

 

• Genesis 17:1-2

Gen 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.

Gen 17:2 "I will establish (make) My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly."

“Make; establish”:

To bring forth that which is unfinished

To deliver up, appoint, assign, designate

To distribute, add, bring to completion, to give, to place

“Multiply exceedingly”:

To increase greatly, become great, to be in authority, enlarge, excel, to be exceedingly full. The reproduction of a hidden life

• Genesis 17:3-6

Gen 17:3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,

Gen 17:4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.

Gen 17:5 "No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Gen 17:6 "I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you.

Promise: I will make you a great nation. All the families of the earth be blessed

Covenant: A father of many nations (Gentiles are now included). His name is changed to accommodate all nations – Jews and Gentiles.

Exceedingly fruitful:

Bring forth, realize your entire potential, walk in God’s purpose, branch off, impart.

The release of hidden life

• Genesis 17:7-8

Gen 17:7 "I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.

Gen 17:8 "I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."

“Establish”

Confirm, impose, to maintain, validate, prove, fulfil, to be set, be fixed, make to stand, stir up, strengthen, succeed, to perform

 

To be God to you

I will be their God.

The above portrays God’s amazing love and grace towards us and is confirmed in the following Scriptures

 

Further confirmation that God is now God to us

Exo 6:7 'Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God,

 

2Co 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "and do not touch what is unclean, And I will welcome you.

2Co 6:18 "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

Heb 8:10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Heb 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

• Genesis 17:9-11

In Genesis 17:4 God says:

Gen 17:4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you

Now in Genesis 17:9 God has an expectation from Abraham

Gen 17:9 God said further to Abraham, "Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

Gen 17:10 "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.

Gen 17:11 "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.

Gen 17:12 "And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations,

 

You shall keep My covenant

“KEEP”

To hedge about as with thorns

To guard, to protect, to attend to, observe, be circumspect, and take heed (to self).

(Tell your seed about it – this is the way they will remember my covenant)

Treasure up in memory.

 

And it shall be a token of the covenant between Me and you.

“TOKEN”

A distinguishing mark, a remembrance, a flag, monument, amen, evidence.

• Genesis 17:14

  Gen 17:14 "But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

   

  He has broken My covenant.

  “BROKEN”

  Violate, make ineffectual, cause to cease, disannul, bring to nought, made void.

  God enjoined upon Abraham the rite of circumcision, but His promise to Abraham here called a “covenant” was not conditional upon the observance of circumcision, though a penalty was attached to its non-observance.

• Genesis 17:19 & 21

  Gen 17:19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

  Gen 17:21 "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac,

  “ESTABLISH”

  Confirm, impose, to maintain, validate, prove, fulfil, to be set, be fixed, make to stand, stir up, strengthen, succeed, to perform

   

• To summarize :

  The covenant that cut with Abraham is about:

• Abraham’s offspring (Gen 15:5,6)

• The land of Israel (Gen 15:8, 18; Gen 17:8)

• Victory over enemies (Gen 15:19-21)

• Abraham being multiplied exceedingly (Gen 17:2)

• The changing of his name from Abram to Abraham to make him a father of a multitude of nations (Gen 17:5)

• To make Abraham exceedingly fruitful (Gen 17:6)

• To make nations of him (Gen 17:6)

• The promise that kings will come forth from him (Gen 17:6)

• The covenant will be an everlasting covenant throughout the generations (Gen 17:7)

• God will be their God (or God will be God to them) i.e. God will be God to Abraham and his descendants right down to us (Gen17:8)

• Circumcision as a sign to the covenant (Gen 17:11)

• Being an everlasting covenant with Isaac (here God confirms that His covenant with Abraham stretches down through Isaac to Christ and to the whole world (Gen 17:19,21)

• Righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus and not by works (Rom 4:9, 11, 13; Gal 3:6)

• Giving us the Promised Holy Spirit (Gal 3:13-14) 

 

• God’s covenant brings a multitude of victories over the following enemies

 

Enemies listed in following Scriptures:

Gen 15:18-21

Gen 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants, I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

Gen 15:19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite

Gen 15:20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim

Gen 15:21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite."

 

Exodus 13:5

Exo 13:5 "It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month.

These enemies stood between Israel and the Promised Land

These nations inhabited the Promised Land and Israel (Abraham’s descendants) first had to conquer them before they could take possession of the land and prosper in it.

In the covenant-making God is promising them victory over all these nations – a promise that is also confirmed in the following Scriptures:

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.

Gen 14:19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

Gen 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand."

Gen 22:16 and said, "By Myself, I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son,

Gen 22:17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore, and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. (Christ – the seed of Abraham – obtained the victory for us: Col 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.)

 

The question remains: How do we as the spiritual descendants of Abraham benefit from this part of the covenant?

 

These different nations are still with us today – just in a different form (spirits, evil workings, negative thoughts etc.), and still trying to prevent us from taking possession of our rightful inheritance in Jesus Christ.

The Bible gives us a detailed description of this opposition that we face on a daily basis (too numerous to record here). One can so easily be lured into focusing on all the wrong and negative things and in the process lose sight of the profound fact that Christ already gave us victory over every work of the evil one by His death and resurrection.

 

Just a reminder! The covenant that God cut with Abraham was already ratified in and through Jesus Christ

The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus Christ and we are complete in Him

Col 1:19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

Col 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him,

Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Col 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

Col 2:10 and in Him, you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

Enemies spiritualised:

I will now explain the meaning of the name of each nation and the way they function in the spiritual realm today – just remember – you and I have the victory over every evil spirit, demon and negative working

Joh 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (Actually: life and abundance)

 

1Jn 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Awareness of the devices and plans of the evil one will give one a greater reality of the victory in Jesus Christ – the works of the evil one have been destroyed completely! The devil himself has not been destroyed, but his works - his works have been rendered nil and void. Through and in Christ Jesus they have no effect on us whatsoever!

Please take heed not to become “demon conscious” in the process – stay focused on the complete and finished work of Jesus Christ.

 

NB!! BLOODLINE CURSES HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY ANNULLED BY AND THROUGH CHRIST. (I will elaborate on this later on)

 

1.Kenite:

They are descendants of Cain – the first murderer and were wandering coppersmiths and metalworkers (blacksmiths - resembling “the gipsies of modern Europe) who formed an important guild in an age when the art of metallurgy was confined to a few. They showed kindness to Israel in their journey through the wilderness.

Meaning of the word “Kenite”:

Lamentations; self-pity; rejection; possession; purchase; pitiable, lamentable

“Rejection” is one of the biggest contributing factors keeping people out of their destiny

The modern-day Kenites have a zeal for money, even heading the monetary system. They are in various religions to confuse people to what the real truth is and their main motive is to twist Gods Word in religions to steer them away from the truth.

 

Scriptures showing how to overcome the “Kenite spirit” of rejection and self-pity:

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

Isa 61:2 To proclaim the favourable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

Isa 61:3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

 

Eph 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Eph 1:6 ....His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (NKJV)

Rom 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

2. Kenizzite:

They were hunters.

Meaning of the word “Kenizzite”:

Possession; purchase; - Driven by a constant urge to purchase and obtain possessions – i.e. people with a poverty mentality (just want to gather in, collect and keep for myself). The opposite of a “poverty mentality” is a “kingdom wealth mentality” and people possessing this mentality are ever ready to share what they have.

Scriptures pertaining to the “Kenizzite spirit”

Luk 12:15 And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs. (AMP)

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Mat 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

Mat 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Mat 6:25 "For this reason, I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Mat 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

3. Kadmonite:

Meaning of the word “Kadmonite”:

Ancients; chiefs

Ancients: Always refer to former things, to things of the past, blaming themselves, others and circumstances for their own incompetence and failures.

Unable to break loose from traditions, especially from the religious traditions of the Law of Moses

Chiefs: always want to be in control and as such try to manipulate others and exercise authority over them.

Kadmonite is also a modern name with the following meaning attached to it:

People with this name have a deep inner desire to create and express themselves, often in public speaking, acting, writing or singing. They also yearn to have beauty around them in their home and work environment.

They are drawn to the arts, and often enjoy life immensely. They are often the centre of attention and enjoy careers that put them in the limelight. They tend to become involved in many different activities and are sometimes reckless with both their energies and with money.

 

Scriptures pertaining to the “Kadmonite spirit”

Ancients:

About former things

Php 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

About blaming others

Gal 6:4 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.

Gal 6:5 Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. (MSG) (Gal 6:5 For each one will bear his own load.NASB)

About traditions/law

Col 2:16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--

Col 2:17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Gal 5:2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

Gal 5:3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

Gal 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

 

Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Chiefs:

About control:

1Co 7:23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

 

4. Hittite:

They are descendants of Canaan and are warlike people

Meaning of the word “Hittite”:

One who is broken; who fears

Terror, break down by violence and do not build up, to beat down, to discourage, to make afraid and create fear

To shatter and divide (do not gather together to bring unity, but instead, sow division).

 

You will find Scriptures pertaining to fear at the end of this section

 

Scriptures pertaining to the “Hittite spirit” of sowing division

Jud 1:17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Jud 1:18 that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts."

Jud 1:19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

 

5. Perizzite:

They were the graziers, farmers, and peasants of the time (a boorish and uncivilized people) inhabiting the fertile regions south and south-west of Carmel.

Meaning of the word “Perrizzite”:

Belonging to a village; rural population, rustics; villagers; dwellers in the open country or in villages

A village that is not walled i.e. knows no boundaries and has no respect for values in life; that which brings division, an untamed warrior without any rules or boundaries.

Do things their own way without considering other people’s feelings and circumstances.

Lack of devotion

Perrizzite is also a modern name with the following meaning attached to it:

People with this name tend to be very inspired, intuitive, and creative. Their aim is to improve the world and can be quite altruistic. They strive to see the "Big Picture" and achieve their dreams.

Scriptures pertaining to the “Perrizzite spirit”:

About lack of devotion

Heb 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

Mat 7:7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [ reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.

Mat 7:8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. (AMP)

Mat 24:12 And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity,

Mat 24:13 But he who endures to the end will be saved.

 

About “untamed warrior without any rules or boundaries” – see at end of the section under “General”

 

6. Rephaim:

Meaning of the word “Rephaim”:

Lofty men; giants, "fearful", a terrible one

Terrifying and intimidating giants – creating false fear to the point of death as a result of their appearance

The enemy uses these spirits to create an atmosphere of fear and anxiety to such an extent that you give up hope of ever making it through the problem

You will find Scriptures pertaining to fear at the end of this section

7. Amorite:

Meaning of the word “Amorite”:

Highlanders or hillmen; a mountaineer,

Bitter, a rebel, a babbler, to speak much, to boast, to act proudly

Murmuring (always dissatisfied with everything); grumbling and always finding fault

Talking and behaving irresponsibly without thinking of the consequences

Someone who loves to boast about his/her own achievements

 

Scriptures pertaining to the “Amorite spirit”

About too much speaking:

Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

About murmuring:

Php 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

Php 2:15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

About bitterness:

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

Heb 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it, many are defiled;

About boasting:

Rom 12:3 For through the grace is given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

 

8. Canaanite:

Gen 9:25 So he (Noah) said, "Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants he shall be to his brothers."

Gen 9:26 He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.

Meaning of the word “Canaanite”:

A merchant or trader; one that humbles and subdues

The word also came to mean a tradesman as well, since the Canaanites were known as traders or merchants throughout the Mediterranean world.

A pedlar - because you perceive yourself as only capable of doing the work of a pedlar and not acknowledging and recognizing the potential that God placed inside of you.

Dejection, depression, humiliation, to bend the knee, to be brought down, to below (humiliated)

Not assertive, allowing you to be brought under subjection by other people, and as a result humiliate and reject other people

 

Scriptures pertaining to the “Canaanite spirit”:

About being a pedlar:

Rom 12:6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:

Gifts (charisma): abilities, traits, potential, characteristics – given by God to each and every one

About “not assertive”:

1Co 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1Co 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

About “dejection, depression and humiliation” – see at the end of the section under “General”

 

9. Girgashite:

Meaning of the word “Girgashite”:

One who arrives from pilgrimage

Dwelling on clayey soil, not standing firm and one whose life is not built upon a solid and firm foundation

Not rooted and grounded in the Truth

Scriptures pertaining to the “Girgashite spirit”

Mat 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Mat 7:25 "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the full armour of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Eph 6:14 Stand firm therefore,.....right through to verse 18

Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Eph 3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

10. Jebusite:

Meaning of the word “Jebusite”:

Treading under foot; trodden hard, heavy burdened, downtrodden;

Manager; fastness; to desecrate; rejection and to reject; to expel

“Jebus” in Hebrew means a trodden place, as a threshing floor, namely, the dry rock or “the waterless hill”,

Scriptures pertaining to the “Jebusite spirit”:

Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

Isa 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (NKJV)

 

11. Hivite:

Not mentioned in Genesis 15:19-21, but in Exodus 13:5

Meaning of the word “Jebusite”:

Wickedness, wicked; ungodliness; to compromise,

A warm, impulsive, unsuspicious people – always ready to compromise (people pleasers – not taking a stand)

 

 

The following Scriptures apply to most of the above-mentioned workings:

General:

Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. (NASB)

Mar 7:20 And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.

Mar 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

Mar 7:22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

Mar 7:23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (NASB)

2Ti 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

2Ti 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,

2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

2Ti 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,

2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2Ti 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. (NASB)

 

 

Scriptures pertaining to fear

God told Abraham

Gen 15:1 After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great.

Here the Lord engages himself to stand between Abraham and all harm, and God promised that He himself will be to him all good.

 

Paul urges us to take up the shield of faith

Eph 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

 

Rom 8:15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is]not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [ the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! (AMP)

2Ti 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (AMP)

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].

1Jn 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. (AMP)

REMEMBER! CHRIST HAS ALREADY SECURED VICTORY FOR US OVER ALL THESE NEGATIVE THINGS.

CHRIST is in us – the hope of realizing the glory (we cannot get closer to Him – He is in us and we are in Him)

We do not live a victorious life by fighting these spirits – we live in victory by growing in the knowledge and understanding of the fullness and completeness of the finished work of Jesus Christ who already obtained the victory for us!!!

Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Eph 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Eph 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Eph 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life (life without limitations), that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

  

Section 3. Where does Ishmael fit in?

Ten years had passed since Abraham had left his father's house, and the fulfilment of the promise was apparently more distant than at first. At the suggestion of Sarai, who despaired of having children of her own, Abraham took as his concubine Hagar, her Egyptian maid, who bore him Ishmael in the 86th year of his age.

A short summary of the birth and life of Ishmael taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

Ishmael - God hears.

Abraham's eldest son, by Hagar the concubine (Gen_16:15; Gen_17:23). He was born at Mamre when Abraham was eighty-six years of age, eleven years after his arrival in Canaan ( Gen_16:3; Gen_21:5).

At the age of thirteen, he was circumcised (Gen_17:25). He grew up a true child of the desert, wild and wayward. On the occasion of the weaning of Isaac his rude and wayward spirit broke out in expressions of insult and mockery (Gen_21:9, Gen_21:10); and Sarah, discovering this, said to Abraham, “Expel this slave and her son.” Influenced by a divine admonition, Abraham dismissed Hagar and her son with no more than a skin of water and some bread. The narrative describing this act is one of the most beautiful and touching incidents of patriarchal life (Gen_21:14-16). 
Ishmael settled in the land of Paran, a region lying between Canaan and the mountains of Sinai; and “God was with him, and he became a great archer” (Gen_21:9-21). He became a great desert chief, but of his history little is recorded. He was about ninety years of age when his father Abraham died, in connection with whose burial he once more for a moment reappears. On this occasion, the two brothers met after being long separated. “Isaac with his hundreds of household slaves, Ishmael with his troops of wild retainers and half-savage allies, in all the state of a Bedouin prince, gathered before the cave of Machpelah, in the midst of the men of Heth, to pay the last duties to the 'father of the faithful,' would make a notable subject for an artist” (Gen_25:9). Of the after events of his life but little is known. He died at the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years, but where and when are unknown (Gen_25:17). He had twelve sons, who became the founders of so many Arab tribes or colonies, the Ishmaelites, who spread over the wide desert spaces of Northern Arabia from the Red Sea to the Euphrates (Gen_37:25, Gen_37:27, Gen_37:28; Gen_39:1), “their hand against every man, and every man's hand against them.” (End of Easton’s summary)

 

The following Scriptures elaborate on the life of Ishmael:

 

Ishmael’s birth (surrounded with controversies)

Gen 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Gen 16:3 After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.

Gen 16:4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.

Gen 16:5 And Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me."

Gen 16:6 But Abram said to Sarai, "Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight." So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.

Gen 16:7 Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.

Gen 16:8 He said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from and where are you going?" And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."

Gen 16:9 Then the angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."

Gen 16:10 Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count."

Gen 16:11 The angel of the LORD said to her further, "Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son, And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction.

Gen 16:12 "He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone's hand will be against him, And he will live to the east of all his brothers."

God confirms that His covenant will be with Isaac (and not Ishmael as Abraham wished), but that Ishmael will also be blessed

Gen 17:18 And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before You!"

Gen 17:19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

Gen 17:20 "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

Gen 17:21 "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year."

When we talk about God we name Him, “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” to indicate that we are Abraham’s descendants and are thus included in the covenant.

The expelling of Ishmael from the family

Gen 21:9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

Gen 21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac."

Gen 21:11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son.

Gen 21:12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.

Gen 21:13 "And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also because he is your descendant."

Gen 21:14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Gen 21:15 When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes.

Gen 21:16 Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, "Do not let me see the boy die." And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept.

Gen 21:17 God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Gen 21:18 "Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him."

Gen 21:19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink.

Gen 21:20 God was with the lad, and he grew, and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer.

Gen 21:21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

The spiritual application of Isaac and Ishmael: the Law versus Grace and Freedom in Christ

Gal 4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

Gal 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.

Gal 4:23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.

Gal 4:24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.

Gal 4:25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.

Gal 4:27 For it is written, "REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND."

Gal 4:28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.

Gal 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

Gal 4:30 But what does the Scripture say? "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."

Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.

 

In explanation of the above, I first want to give a brief summary of why Paul wrote this Epistle to the churches in Galatia

• The following was taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

  The churches of Galatia were founded by Paul himself (Act_16:6; Gal_1:8; Gal_4:13, Gal_4:19). They seem to have been composed mainly of converts from heathenism (Gal_4:8), but partly also of Jewish converts, who probably, under the influence of Judaizing teachers, sought to incorporate the rites of Judaism with Christianity, and by their active zeal had succeeded in inducing the majority of the churches to adopt their views (Gal_1:6; Gal_3:1). This epistle was written for the purpose of counteracting this Judaizing tendency, and of recalling the Galatians to the simplicity of the gospel, and at the same time also of vindicating Paul's claim to be a divinely-commissioned apostle.

  The great question discussed is, was the Jewish law binding on Christians? The epistle is designed to prove against the Jews that men are justified by faith without the works of the law of Moses. After an introductory address (Gal_1:1-10) the apostle discusses the subjects which had occasioned the epistle.

  (1.) He defends his apostolic authority (Gal_1:11-19; Gal_2:1-14);

  (2.) shows the evil influence of the Judaizers in destroying the very essence of the gospel (Gal. 3 and 4);

  (3.) exhorts the Galatian believers to stand fast in the faith as it is in Jesus, and to abound in the fruits of the Spirit, and in a right use of their Christian freedom (Gal. 5:1 - 6:10);

  (4.) and then concludes with a summary of the topics discussed, and with the benediction.

  The Epistle to the Galatians and that to the Romans taken together “form a complete proof that justification is not to be obtained meritoriously either by works of morality or by rites and ceremonies, though of divine appointment; but that it is a free gift, proceeding entirely from the mercy of God, to those who receive it by faith in Jesus our Lord.” (End of quotation)

   

  In Galatians 4:21-31 Paul is comparing Hagar and Sarah with two covenants:

  Hagar (the bondwoman) represents Mount Sinai in Arabia (corresponding to the present Jerusalem) and her son, Ishmael was born according to the flesh - she is in slavery with her children.

  Sarah (the free woman) represents the free Jerusalem above and her son, Isaac was born through the promise – ( Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.) - Therefore in Christ, we like Isaac, are children of promise.

   

  The following Scriptures confirm that we are part of the heavenly Jerusalem

Heb 12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,

Heb 12:19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.

Heb 12:20 For they could not bear the command, "IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED."

Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling."

Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,

Heb 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of therighteous made perfect,

Heb 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

The flesh (the Law) always stands against the promise of grace and freedom we receive in and through Christ

A few Scriptures to confirm this:

Gal 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

 

Much more on the above in the “Third Dispensation” Teachings

 

Section 4. The Oath Swearing

This is now the climax of God’s dealings with Abraham – all the promises and everything that was done in the covenant culminated in the swearing of an oath.

 

The ooath-swearingis recorded in Genesis 22

Gen 22:1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."

Gen 22:2 He said, " Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

Gen 22:3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

Gen 22:4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

Gen 22:5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."

Gen 22:6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.

Gen 22:7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

Gen 22:8 Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together.

Gen 22:9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

Gen 22:10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Gen 22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."

Gen 22:12 He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

Gen 22:13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.

Gen 22:14 Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."

 

King James Version of Gen 22:14

(Gen 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. KJV

Jehovahjireh: It means "the Lord will see to it" literally but also means "the Lord will provide.")

It shall be seen: "In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." The meaning is, that God, in the greatest difficulties, when all human assistance is vain, will make a suitable provision for the deliverance of those who trust in Him.

 

The oath-swearing

Gen 22:15 Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,

Gen 22:16 and said, "By Myself, I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son,

Gen 22:17 (1) indeed I will greatly bless you, and (2) I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and (3) your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.

Gen 22:18 (4)"In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice."

Amplified Bible translation of the Oath Swearing

Gen 22:16 And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son,

Gen 22:17 (1)In blessing I will bless you and (2)in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And (3)your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, [Heb. 6:13, 14; 11:12.]

Gen 22:18 And (4)in your Seed [Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice. [Gen. 12:2-3; 13:16; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; Acts 3:25, 26; Gal. 3:16.]

What is the meaning of “I have sworn by Myself” or to “SWEAR” an “OATH”:

The Hebrew word: sha ̂ ba ‛ (shaw-bah') meaning: “be complete”; “ To feed to the full”; “ Sevenfold”;

“To seven oneself” - as if by repeating a declaration seven times

 

God completed His dealings with Abraham by repeating seven times all the promises, all the covenant decrees and all the declarations of the oath swearing!!

 

 

The four declarations made by God in the oath swearing:

 

• (1) In blessing, I will bless you (indeed I will greatly bless you)

• (2) In multiplying I will multiply your descendants (I will greatly multiply your seed)

  God is saying here: since it is My nature to bless or to act in people’s lives, I will act in yours as well

  The first word “blessing” or “multiplying” indicates the nature of God and the second word “bless” or “multiply” indicates God’s definite action in the future

   

  The following Scriptures confirm the “blessing” and “multiplying” of God:

  Blessing:

  Gen 12:2, Gen 27:28-29, Gen 28:3, Gen 28:14-22, Gen 49:25-26; Deu 28:2-13; Eph 1:3

  BLESS: Hebrew: “barak” with the core meaning – “to bend the knee, to kneel down, to salute or greet, to wish well to”

  To make happy; to make successful; to prosper in temporal concerns;

  The context furnishes the key to its meaning, which is the bestowal of good,

  BLESS: Greek: “eulogeo” with its core meaning - “to bless, to speak well of, the bestowal of good”

  God vowed that He will come alongside us (coming down to our level – Jesus Christ became fully man) and that He will get involved in our everyday walk of life.

  Through this oath swearing God is confirming that He gives us permission and the capacity to live a rich and full life, to realize all our potential and to fulfil His purpose for us. (TO BLESS MEANS: YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION).

  God enables and empowers us to prosper.

   

  Multiplying:

  Gen 13:16, Gen 15:5, Gen 17:6, Gen 26:4; Deu 1:10; Jer 33:22

  Multiplying: The reproduction of the hidden life

  To increase greatly, to be in authority, enlarge, excel, to be exceedingly full of, to become great, to be abundant, to become many, to increase (in whatever respect), (bring in) abundance, be in authority:

  All this was reinstated in our lives by the oath that God swore

  Multiplying also refers to the millions of people that will be saved through all the ages as a result of the finished work of Christ

   

• (3) Your Seed (Heir) shall possess the gate of His enemies.

  Possess:

  The Hebrew word: yârash yârêsh (yaw-rash', yaw-raysh) meaning:

  To occupy (be driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place);

  By implication to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin: - cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive (-ing) out, enjoy, expel, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed utterly.

   

  Christ did the above on our behalf:

Rev 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Rev 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades (hell) and of Death.

 

“And have the keys of hell and of death - The word rendered “hell” - “Hades” - refers properly to the underworld; the abode of departed spirits; the region of the dead. This was represented as dull and gloomy; as enclosed with walls; as entered through gates which were fastened with bolts and bars. To hold the key of this, was to hold the power over the invisible world. It was the more appropriate that the Saviour should represent himself as having this authority, as he had himself been raised from the dead by his own power (compare Joh_10:18), thus showing that the dominion over this dark world was entrusted to him.” (Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible – E-Sword)

 

“Of death and of Hades: Conceived as a prison house or walled city. The keys are the symbol of authority, as we speak of honouring one by giving him the keys of the city. Hades here means the unseen world to which death is the portal. Jesus has the keys because of his victory over death.” (Robertson’s Word Pictures – E-Sword)

 

Rev 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

Rev 3:8 'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut,

1Co 15:54 ....."DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

1Co 15:55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

1Co 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• (4) In your Seed [Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed

  Gal 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.

Act 3:25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'and in your seed, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'

Act 3:26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

 

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

 

Jesus Christ is the true fulfilment of the oath swearing of God

Heb 6:13 For when God made [His] promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself since He had no one greater by whom to swear,

Heb 6:14 Saying, Blessing I certainly will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you. [Gen. 22:16, 17.]

Heb 6:15 And so it was that he [Abraham], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained [in the birth of Isaac as a pledge of what was to come] what God had promised him.

Heb 6:16 Men indeed swear by a greater [than themselves], and with them, in all disputes, the oath taken for confirmation is final [ending strife].

Heb 6:17 Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath.

Heb 6:18 This was so that, by two unchangeable (immutable) things [His promise and His oath]in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, (it is impossible for God to lie),we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].

Heb 6:19 [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [ the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil, [Lev. 16:2.]

Heb 6:20 Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. [Ps. 110:4.] (AMP)

Further to Hebrews 6:18 stating that it is impossible for God to lie:

Num 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

1Sa 15:29 "Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind."

2Ti 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Tit 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

 

Section 5 - The Abrahamic covenant – practically implemented

 

The covenant that God cut with Abraham was implemented practically and visibly in two phases

 

First implementation (The interim one) – Through Moses

Exo 2:23 However, after a long time [nearly forty years] the king of Egypt died; and the Israelites were sighing and groaning because of the bondage. They kept crying, and their cry because of slavery ascended to God.

Exo 2:24 And God heard their sighing and groaning and [earnestly] remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Exo 2:25 God saw the Israelites and took knowledge of them and concerned Himself about them [knowing all, understanding, remembering all]. (AMP)

 

Israel has now been established as a nation but suffered as slaves at the hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. The Israelites cried unto God and God heard their groaning and took notice of (concerned Himself with) their sufferings and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

 

Remembered - This means that God was moved by their prayers to give effect to the covenant - God looked upon them and helped them.

The first implementation through Moses, of the covenant that God cut with Abraham, is referred to as:

• The book of the covenant

• The blood of the covenant

• The words of the covenant

• The ark of the covenant

• The tables of the covenant

  But it all boils down to the one and only covenant now being realised in a tangible and practical way.

  I will extensively elaborate on this first implementation of the covenant when I touch on God’s dealings with Moses and Israel, but this brings us to the:

   

Second & Final implementation of the Covenant

 

Now confirmed and executed in Jesus Christ – the covenant of the New Testament

 

God told Abraham that His covenant is an everlasting covenant – it flows from Abraham right through to us:

Gen 17:7 "I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.

 

First a brief explanation of the concept “Covenant” in the Bible

The following insightful explanation was taken from: “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword)

Covenant: 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, Jer_34:19).

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 (1Sa_11:1; Jos_9:6, Jos_9:15). 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” (1Sa_20:8).

The marriage compact is called “the covenant of God” (Pro_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, Isa_28:18).

(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_33:20, “my covenant”). We have an account of God's covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17, compare Lev_26:42), of the covenant of the priesthood (Num_25:12, Num_25:13; Deu_33:9; Neh_13:29), and of the covenant of Sinai (Exo_34:27, Exo_34:28; 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 (Deu_4:31; Psa_89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Gen. 9; 17). Hence the covenant is called God's “counsel,” “oath,” “promise” (Psa_89:3, Psa_89:4; Psa_105:8-11;Heb_6:13-20; Luk_1:68-75). God's covenant consists wholly in the bestowal of blessing (Isa_59:21; Jer_31:33, Jer_31:34).

 

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; 2Ch_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” (Mat_19:16, Mat_19:17; 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, Gen_2:17).

 

CONVENIENT 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 (Joh_17:4, Joh_17:6, Joh_17:9; Isa_42:6; Psa_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 (Luk_22:43); and

(c.) a glorious reward in the exaltation of Christ when his work was done (Phi_2:6-11), his investiture with universal dominion (Joh_5:22 ; Psa_110:1), his having the administration of the covenant committed into his hands (Mat_28:18; Joh_1:12; Joh_17:2; Act_2:33), and in the final salvation of all his people (Isa_35:10; Isa_53:10,Isa_53:11; Jer_31:33; Tit_1:2 ).

(2.) On the part of the Son, the conditions were

(a.) his becoming incarnate (Gal_4:4, Gal_4:5); and

(b.) as the second Adam (rather – “last Adam”) his representing all his people, assuming their place and undertaking all their obligations under the violated covenant of works;

(c.) obeying the law (Psa_40:8; Isa_42:21; Joh_9:4, Joh_9:5), and

(d.) suffering its penalty (Isa_53:1-12; 2Co_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; Heb_9:15; Heb_12:24, this title is given to Christ.

(End of Easton’s quotation) [(rather – “last Adam”) – my insertion]

The final implementation – THIS STANDS AT THE CENTRE OF THE GOSPEL

The first implementation was a conditional series of promises (the Law) which God made for the Jews only if they obeyed. In the New Testament (the final implementation) God provided His only begotten Son in the execution of His plan, but not as a result of the obedience to any rule that He preset. However, the giving of eternal life to individuals depends on their acceptance of the sacrifice of the Son of God.

 

The Law (the first implementation) however was our tutor (schoolmaster) unto Christ:

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

Gal 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

 

This final execution of God’s plan is called:

The NEW; the SECOND; or the BETTER COVENANT:

 

Jesus called it the “New Covenant”:

Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."

Mat 26:27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.

Mat 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (NKJV)

Mar 14:24 And He said to them, This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many. (NKJV)

Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (NKJV)

Paul is confirming this:

1Co 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

1Co 11:24 And giving thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of Me."

1Co 11:25, In the same way, He took the cup also, after supping, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood; as often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of Me." (NKJV)

2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

2Co 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NKJV)

The author of Hebrews constantly refers to the “new”, “second” or “better” covenant:

Heb 12:24 and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (NKJV)

Heb 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Heb 13:21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (NKJV)

Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NKJV)

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. (NKJV)

Heb 7:22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. (NKJV)

 

The same meaning would pertain to the “blood of His covenant” which would be the “blood of His promise”, the “blood of Christ” (i.e. His sacrificial death)

Heb 9:20 saying, "THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU." (NKJV)

Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (NKJV)

The meaning of “ NEW”; “SECOND”; “BETTER”?

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (NKJV)

NEW in the above context does not mean “another one in replacement of a former one”, but means:

Relating to distinction based on quality

“Qualitatively new” or “to initiate its qualitatively different aspect”

To innovate or begin its operation

 

This Testament is called “NEW” i.e. “qualitatively new” – equivalent to “the second” or “the better one”.

Heb 10:20 makes it clear that this refers to a qualitatively “new way” initiated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at which time the veil in the temple which stood as a barrier to the “Most Holy Place” was rent in two from above downward. This indicated that this was a new way of approach to God which He willed for man. It came down from God to man, not upward from man to God. This however only became effective at the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ which was the death of the Testator.

THIS WAS ENTIRELY AN ACT OF GOD.

The Eternal God brought Himself in the Person of His Son into the world of time and space to die within history so that His covenant of Grace might apply to all who believe, regardless of when they lived.

The word “Covenant” in the New Testament:

The ordinary meaning of the word “covenant” in the New Testament is a “will” (Gr,1242 diatheke). The corresponding word in the Old Testament is “berith” (H 1285). In the OldTestament, it has the idea of “setting up a relationship – done by the free act or choice of one person”. It is in this sense that we understand the divine “berith” or “covenant”. The covenant is a divine order or agreement which is established without any human cooperation and springing from the choice of God Himself whose will and determination account for both its origin and its character.

“Berith” also means “determination” or “stipulation”

In the English language (and for that matter any language other than Hebrew) we do not possess a word which exactly conveys the meaning of the divine “berith”. That is why the Greek word “diatheke” is chosen, because this word has the meaning of a “will” or a “testament”, which meaning comes the closest to the divine “berith” – the one who makes the “will” does not ask the recipient of the will whether it is acceptable or not. It is the unilateral demonstration of the will of the testator.

A few Scriptures relating to the aforementioned

Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ.

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. (NKJV)

Heb 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Heb 9:16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Heb 9:17 For a testament is in force after men are dead since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

Heb 9:18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. (NKJV)

Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men:

Paul says that he is “speaking after the manner of man”. By this, he means that he is using the word “diatheke” – testament” when he refers to the covenant that God made, as ordinary people understand the concept of a “testament” as not being the bilateral conditions of a normal covenant. The word “testament/covenant” is used here with the human understanding of “testament” as a will left by a testator. This testament belongs to Abraham and to his seed. It comes by way of a gift and gives those who partake of it the right to an inheritance.

The word “will” or “testament” to Paul suggests a human document, which no one could set aside; how much more, therefore, must God’s testament remain unalterable.

The purpose of the Law

Gal 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. (NASB)

The “Law of Moses”, which in Gal 3:19 appeared only as a supplement (add on) to the testament of promise, delaying its operation, but not cancelling it, is here spoken of as an inferior testament. What Paul is actually saying here is: “If you insist that it is a testament and choose to come under its provisions, it will bring you an inheritance of slavery”.

The term “The Covenant of the New Testament” must be understood as referring personally to Christ

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, " AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ.

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. (NKJV)

 

The result and outflow of the New Covenant:

 

The Scriptures are self-explanatory

Luk 1:71 That we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred;

Luk 1:72 To make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness [promised] to our forefathers andto remember and carry out His holy covenant [to bless, which is all the more sacred because it is made by God Himself], (AMP)

Act 3:25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'and in your seed, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' (NKJV)

Rom 11:27 for this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins." (NKJV)

Eph 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (NKJV)

Heb 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

Heb 8:8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—

Heb 8:9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the lord.

Heb 8:10 for this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Heb 8:11 none of them shall teach his neighbour, and none his brother, saying, 'know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

Heb 8:12 for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (NKJV)

Heb 10:16 "this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds, I will write them,"

Heb 10:17 then He adds, "their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Heb 10:18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. (NKJV)

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Heb 10:21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, (NKJV)

Heb 6:13 For when God made a promise to Abraham because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,

Heb 6:14 saying, "surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you."

Heb 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Heb 6:16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

Heb 6:17 ThusGod, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

Heb 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Heb 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

Heb 6:20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (NKJV)

 

• Abraham became our spiritual father

  Rom 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

  Rom 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

  Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

  Rom 4:12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

  Rom 4:13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law but through the righteousness of faith. (NKJV)

  Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

  Rom 4:17 (as it is written, "I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS") in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; (NKJV)

  Rom 9:7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "in Isaac, your seed shall be called." (NKJV)

• We are now the children of Abraham and as such we are entitled to all of Abraham’s blessings

  Gal 3:6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

  Gal 3:7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

  Gal 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you, all the nations shall be blessed."

  Gal 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

  Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"),

  Gal 3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

  The “blessing of Abraham” primarily refers to “righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus”, but being made righteous by the blood of Jesus entitles me to all the other blessings which were spoken over Abraham!

  Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

  Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

  Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (NKJV)

  The aforementioned is very significant because regeneration takes us out from the cursed bloodline of Adam and places us in the blessed bloodline of Abraham and Christ.

  No more bloodline curses effective in a believer’s life!

   

  Why is the testator, Jesus Christ called the mediator of the New Testament in Hebrews 9:15?

Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NKJV)

How can the Testator also be the Mediator? – this might give the misunderstanding of a bilateral agreement. In Heb 7:22 Jesus is called the “surety” or “guarantee” of a better testament.

Heb 7:21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT RELENT, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK' "),

Heb 7:22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. (NKJV)

Right from the beginning in the first gospel declaration in Gen 3:15 God pledged Jesus Christ as the guarantee for the effectiveness of what He promised.

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." (NKJV)

Heb 6:17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, (NKJV)

God gave His promise directly to Abraham and placed Jesus Christ as the guarantee of that promise before He, actually being the Word, became flesh. (John 1:1,14)

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (N KJV)

Every “promise”, every “covenant decree” and every “oath swearing declaration” culminates in Christ

Promise

2Co 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him, they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. (NASB)

2Co 1:20 For he is the Yes to all the undertakings of God: and by him, all the words of God are made certain and put into effect, to the glory of God through us. (BBE)

Covenant

Heb 8:10 "for this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord:I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Heb 8:12 "for I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (NASB)

Oath

Heb 6:17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

Heb 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Heb 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

Heb 6:20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (NKJV)

Section 6 - Circumcision

 

The spiritual application of “circumcision”:

 

First, a look at “Circumcision” in general as explained in the “Easton’s Bible Dictionary” – E-Sword”

Circumcision

Cutting around. This rite, practised before, as some think, by diverse races, was appointed by God to be the special badge of his chosen people, an abiding sign of their consecration to him. It was established as a national ordinance (Gen_17:10, Gen_17:11). In compliance with the divine command, Abraham, though ninety-nine years of age, was circumcised on the same day with Ishmael, who was thirteen years old (Gen_17:24-27 ).

Slaves, whether home-born or purchased, were circumcised (Gen_17:12, Gen_17:13); and all foreigners must have their males circumcised before they could enjoy the privileges of Jewish citizenship (Exo_12:48). During the journey through the wilderness, the practice of circumcision fell into disuse but was resumed by the command of Joshua before they entered the Promised Land (Jos_5:2-9). It was observed always afterwards among the tribes of Israel, although it is not expressly mentioned from the time of the settlement in Canaan till the time of Christ, about 1,450 years. The Jews prided themselves in the possession of this covenant distinction (Jdg_14:3; Jdg_15:18;1Sa_14:6; 1Sa_17:26; 2Sa_1:20; Eze_31:18).

As a rite of the church, it ceased when the New Testament times began (Gal_6:15; Col_3:11).

[ Gal 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Col 3:11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.]

 

Some Jewish Christians sought to impose it, however, on the Gentile converts; but this the apostles resolutely resisted (Act_15:1; Gal_6:12). Our Lord was circumcised, for it “became him to fulfil all righteousness,” as of the seed of Abraham, according to the flesh; and Paul “took and circumcised” Timothy (Act_16:3), to avoid giving offence to the Jews. It would render Timothy's labours more acceptable to the Jews. But Paul would by no means consent to the demand that Titus should be circumcised (Gal_2:3-5). The great point for which he contended was the free admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the church. He contended successfully in behalf of Titus, even in Jerusalem.

In the Old Testament, a spiritual idea is attached to circumcision. It was the symbol of purity (Isa_52:1).

[ Isa 52:1 Awake, awake, Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; For the uncircumcised and the unclean Will no longer come into you.]

We read of uncircumcised lips (Exo_6:12, Exo_6:30), ears (Jer_6:10), hearts (Lev_26:41). The fruit of a tree that is unclean is spoken of as uncircumcised (Lev_19:23).

It was a sign and seal of the covenant of grace as well as of the national covenant between God and the Hebrews.

(1.) It sealed the promises made to Abraham, which related to the commonwealth of Israel, national promises.

(2.) But the promises made to Abraham included the promise of redemption (Gal 3:14 ), a promise which has come upon us. The covenant with Abraham was a dispensation or a specific form of the covenant of grace, and circumcision was a sign and seal of that covenant. It had a spiritual meaning. It signified purification of the heart, inward circumcision effected by the Spirit (Deu_10:16; Deu_30:6; Eze_44:7; Act_7:51; Rom_2:28; Col_2:11). 
Under the Jewish dispensation, church and state were identical. No one could be a member of the one without also being a member of the other. Circumcision was a sign and seal of membership in both. Every circumcised person bore thereby evidence that he was one of the chosen people, a member of the church of God as it then existed, and consequently also a member of the Jewish commonwealth. (End of Easton’s explanation)

The spiritual meaning of “to circumcise” is “to put away impurity”

This is exactly what God had in mind with the covenant He cut with Abraham – the spiritual cleansing of people

The following great prophecies spoken by Ezekiel and Malachi confirm what was on God’s mind for the future

Eze 36:24 "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.

Eze 36:25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

Eze 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Eze 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Mal 3:1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.

Mal 3:3 " He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

Mal 3:4 "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

According to Easton, circumcision was a sign and seal of the covenant of grace as well as of the national covenant between God and the Hebrews.

(1.) It sealed the promises made to Abraham, which related to the commonwealth of Israel, national promises.

(2.) But the promises made to Abraham included the promise of redemption (Gal: 3:14), a promise which has come upon us.

[ Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.]

 

The covenant with Abraham was a dispensation or a specific form of the covenant of grace, and circumcision was a sign and seal of that covenant. It had a spiritual meaning – the cleansing of the heart

It signified purification of the heart, inward circumcision effected by the Spirit ( Deu_10:16 ; Deu_30:6; Eze_44:7; Act_7:51; Rom_2:28; Col_2:11).

 

 

The following Scriptures confirm that God originally had the circumcision of the heart in mind

Deu 10:14 "Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.

Deu 10:15 "Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day.

Deu 10:16 "So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.

Deu 30:5 "The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it, and He will prosper you and multiply youmore than your fathers.

Deu 30:6 "Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Eze 44:6 "You shall say to the rebellious ones, to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Enough of all your abominations, O house of Israel,

Eze 44:7 when you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to profane it, even My house, when you offered My food, the fat and the blood; for they made My covenant void--this in addition to all your abominations.

Act 7:51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Col 2:11 and in Him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, (NKJV)

Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;

Php 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Christ’s flesh was cut in order for us to be purified by a spiritual circumcision. Circumcision: Spiritual circumcision of the heart and affection by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh

Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, (NKJV)

The fleshly circumcision removed only a portion of the body. In spiritual circumcision, through Christ, the whole corrupt, carnal nature is put away like a garment which is taken off and laid aside.

The true circumcision also referred to as the true people of God means persons who were spiritually circumcised.

Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (a new creative act)

Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them (NKJV)

Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (NKJV)

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Section 7 - An elaboration on the promises & decrees made to Abraham

 

1. Why Abraham is called the “father of a multitude of nations” and “in him, all the families of the earth will be blessed”

 

Bloodline of Adam

Adam was the father of the world and when he and Eve fell in sin, God spoke a curse over the serpent and over the earth. God withdrew His blessing and His Spirit from man and as a result death came into this world

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned

The bloodline of Adam became a cursed bloodline producing death and yet in Genesis 3:15 God promised Eve that her seed would crush the head of the serpent (referring to Christ). Christ could not be born of a cursed bloodline, so God had to first establish a purified and blessed bloodline. That is why He raised up Abraham, blessed him and gave him the promise that his descendants and that in him all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed.

God created a new, pure and blessed bloodline that will produce life through Christ.

Christ is the seed of Abraham and is called the last Adam – a life-giving Spirit

Gal 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

1Co 15:45 Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. (AMP)

In contrast to God’s verdict over the serpent, the earth and Adam and Eve, stand His promises to Abraham and to the whole world – God’s blessings are restored to mankind.

God is saying to Abraham: “I will bless you”; “you shall be a blessing”; and “in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed”

 

Abraham is now our earthly father – God is our heavenly father

Rom 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our father according to the flesh, has found?

Rom 4:17 (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

Rom 4:18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."

 

We now, because of Christ partake of these blessings

Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favour, but as what is due.

Rom 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Rom 4:6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Rom 4:7 "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

Rom 4:8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

NB! What happened to us through the blood of Jesus Christ?

In my rebirth (regeneration) I am taken out of the “cursed” bloodline of Adam and placed in the blessed bloodline of Abraham.

 

For you and me to walk completely in the finished work of Jesus Christ, it is crucial to understand that there are no bloodline curses whatsoever on my life!!

No generational or bloodline curse has got any affect or influence on my life, because I am no longer in the bloodline of Adam.

 

Bloodline curses have been completely annulled by and through Christ

 

I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed!! Because I am Abraham’s seed as a result of Christ

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

 

A few Scriptures confirming that in Christ we no longer live under the “cursed” bloodline of Adam:

 

Abraham is the father of all who believes – circumcised or uncircumcised

Rom 4:9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Rom 4:10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

Rom 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised so that he might be the father of all who believes without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

Righteousness and justification is credited to us through Jesus Christ

Rom 4:23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,

Rom 4:24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Rom 4:25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

Faith brings the blessing into my life

Gal 3:6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Gal 3:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Gal 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

Gal 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Christ redeemed us from the curse so that the blessing of Abraham could come to Gentiles

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--

Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

“The blessing of Abraham” constitutes the fullness and completeness of Christ - In Him is life, and the life is the Light of men. Every blessing and every gospel privilege originates in Christ.

Through faith, we, are sons of God and have clothed ourselves with Christ and as such we are Abraham’s descendants and heirs of the promise

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

 

In Christ – NO MORE CURSE

Rev 22:3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;

Rev 22:4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

 

In Christ – we are a total, altogether new creature (creation). We have been re-created by God – born from above

2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation(a new creature altogether) ; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 

2. Restoration of the earth and its wealth through Abraham

A part of God’s dealings with Abraham is to restore the world (the earth with all its wealth) to its rightful owners – His children.

This earth (the world) belongs to God (He is the Creator thereof) and as such the earth belongs to us (God’s children)

 

Earth explained; (taken from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old Testament Words – E-Sword)

Earth

'erets (H776), "earth; land." This is one of the most common Hebrew nouns, occurring more than 2,500 times in the Old Testament. It expresses a worldview contrary to ancient myths, as well as many modern theories seeking to explain the origin of the universe and the forces which sustain it.

'Erets may be translated "earth," the temporal scene of human activity, experience, and history. The material world had a beginning when God "made the earth by His power," "formed it," and "spread it out" (Isa_40:28; Isa_42:5; Isa_45:12, Isa_45:18; Jer_27:5; Jer_51:15). Because He did so, it follows that "the earth is the Lord's"(Psa_24:1; Deu_10:1; Exo_9:29; Neh_9:6). No part of it is independent of Him, for "the very ends of the earth are His possession," including "the mountains," "the seas," "the dry land," "the depths of the earth" (Psa_2:8; Psa_95:4-5; Amo_4:13; Jon_1:9).

God formed the earth to be inhabited (Isa_45:18). Having "authority over the earth" by virtue of being its Maker, He decreed to "let the earth sprout vegetation: of every kind" ( Job_34:13; Gen_1:11). It was never to stop its productivity, for "while the earth stands, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Gen_8:22). "The earth is full of God's riches" and mankind can "multiply and fill the earth and subdue it"(Psa_104:24; Gen_1:28; Gen_9:1). Let no one think that the earth is an independent, self-contained mechanism, for "the Lord reigns" as He "sits on the vault of the earth" from where "He sends rain on the earth" (Psa_97:1; Isa_40:22; 1Ki_17:14; Psa_104:4).

As "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth," He sees that "there is not a just man on earth" (Ecc_7:20). At an early stage, God endeavoured to "blot out man... from the face of the earth" (Gen_6:5-7). Though He relented and promised to "destroy never again all flesh on the earth," we can be sure that "He is coming to judge the earth" (Gen_7:16 ff.; Psa_96:13). At that time, "the earth shall be completely laid waste" so that "the exalted people of the earth fade away" (Jer_10:10; Joe_2:10;Isa_33:3-6; Psa_75:8). But He also provides a way of escape for all who heed His promise: "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth" (Isa_45:22).

What the Creator formed "in the beginning" is also to have an end, for He will "create a new heaven and a new earth" (Isa_65:17; Isa_66:22).

 

Adam and Eve’s mandate

Adam had the mandate from God to replenish the earth, subdue it and have dominion over it, but when he fell in sin, he forfeited that authority and gave it to Satan.

Through this tragic event, Satan obtained a legal right to the world– that is why he could offer it to Jesus in Matthew 4

Mat 4:8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

Mat 4:9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me."

 

God’s comeback - His promise to Abraham – you and your descendants would be heir of the world

Rom 4:13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law but through the righteousness of faith.

Abraham and his seed will inherit (take into possession) the earth. The earth was made for mankind and in Christ, we will gradually take it back from the rulership of Satan. This process of inheriting the earth will culminate in us taking possession of the new heaven and earth.

It is of the utmost importance that we should realise that in Christ we have a blood-bought legal right to this earth. We, as sons of God, should take up our God-given mandate – be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it and have dominion over it.

 

Take heed of what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul

Rom 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Rom 8:15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! (AMP)

Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

 

Sons of God – let us rise to the occasion – salvation is not only about securing us a place in heaven (that is a bonus) – salvation is about taking back our lawful inheritance in Christ Jesus and reigning and ruling on this earth in this life.

 

Jesus said the earth is part of our inheritance

Mat 5:5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

 

Dawid confirmed it in two Psalms

Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. NASB)

Psa 8:3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

Psa 8:4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Psa 8:5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!

Psa 8:6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

 

 

3. Melchizedek – who is this Person?

First appearance of Melchizedek

In Genesis 14 it is recorded that Lot was taken captive and that Abraham went after him to rescue him. On Abraham’s return from this successful rescue attempt, he was met by Melchizedek (a priest of God Most High) who brought bread and wine and blessed him.

Gen 14:17 Then after his (Abram’s) return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him (Abram) at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.

Gen 14:19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

Gen 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all.

Christ revealed in Melchizedek

It is my humble opinion that Jesus Christ revealed Himself in the form of Melchizedek to Abraham, serving the first communion to him and blessed him. I believe that during this intimate encounter Melchizedek told Abraham that there will come a time that He will again come to this earth in a bodily form as the Messiah to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin once and for all.

I believe Jesus is referring to this moment with Abraham when He said in:

Joh 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."

Joh 8:57 So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"

Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am."

The following Scriptures also relate to Melchizedek:

Psalm 110 is about Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ as the Son of God was made our eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek – and not after the temporary order of Aaron

Psa 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

Jesus Christ as the Son of God is

Heb 5:5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU";

Heb 5:6 just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

Heb 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

Heb 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

Heb 5:10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Heb 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,

Heb 6:20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Heb 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

Heb 7:2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.

Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

Melchizedek means: “king of justice”, and as we can gather from the aforementioned Scriptures he is also “king of righteousness” and “king of peace” – all attributes of Christ

 

The following insightful insertion on Melchizedek was taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

Melchizedek

King of righteousness, the king of Salem (q.v.). All we know of him is recorded in Gen_14:18-20. He is subsequently mentioned only once in the Old Testament, inPsa_110:4. The typical significance of his history is set forth in detail in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Heb. 7. The apostle there points out the superiority of his priesthood to that of Aaron in these several respects,

(1.) Even Abraham paid him tithes;

(2.) he blessed Abraham;

(3.) he is the type of a Priest who lives for ever;

(4.) Levi, yet unborn, paid him tithes in the person of Abraham;

(5.) the permanence of his priesthood in Christ implied the abrogation of the Levitical system;

(6.) he was made priest not without an oath; and

(7.) his priesthood can neither be transmitted nor interrupted by death: “this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”

Melchizedek was a Canaanitish prince, a worshipper of the true God, and in his peculiar history and character an instructive type of our Lord, the great High Priest (Heb_5:6, Heb_5:7; Heb_6:20). One of the Amarna tablets is from Ebed-Tob, king of Jerusalem, the successor of Melchizedek, in which he claims the very attributes and dignity given to Melchizedek in the Epistle to the Hebrews. (End of Easton’s insertion)

 

Since so little is known about Melchizedek I will give no further comment on this subject and leave it to the discretion of my readers for further speculation and revelation.

In this regard I want to encourage you to share your insight and understanding with us via the Blog pages on our website.

 

 

 

4. Covenant decree – “I will make you exceedingly fruitful”

Gen 17:2 "I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly."

Gen 17:6 "I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you.

 

The very first two commands to Adam was: “be fruitful” and “multiply”

Gen 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

 

- be fruitful: BE FRUITFUL: The release of the hidden life

Bring forth, realize all your potential, branch off, impart, share, to flourish, it is the multiplication and successful production of anything, to cause to bear fruit, grow, increase, an unceasing fruitfulness, very productive; producing fruit in abundance

- multiply: MULTIPLY: The reproduction of the hidden life

To increase greatly, to be in authority, enlarge, excel, to be exceedingly full of, to become great, to be abundant, to become many, to increase (in whatever respect), (bring in) abundance, be in authority

 

God restored the ability to be “exceedingly fruitful” to and through Abraham

Jesus said that it glorifies the Father that we bear much fruit

We can only bear fruit if we are engrafted in Christ

Joh 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Joh 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

Joh 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Joh 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

Joh 15:5 " I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Joh 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

Joh 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Joh 15:8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

Intimate knowledge (experience, relationship) of God and of Jesus Christ as Lord leads to spiritual productivity and fruitfulness

2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

2Pe 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

2Pe 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

2Pe 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

2Pe 1:6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

2Pe 1:7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

2Pe 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

The Holy Spirit produces His fruit through us

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Eph 5:8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light ].

Eph 5:9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.

 

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words – E-Sword on:

Fruit, Fruitful, Unfruitful

 

A. Noun.

Fruit (Greek - karpos) is used:

 

(I) of the fruit of trees, fields, the earth,

That which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism, e.g., Mat_7:17; Jam_5:7, Jam_5:18; plural, e.g., in Luk_12:17 Luk_1:42; Act_2:30;

 

(II), metaphorically:

(a)Of works or deeds,

"fruit" being the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly, the character of the "fruit" being evidence of the character of the power producing it, Mat_7:16.

As the visible expressions of hidden lusts are the works of the flesh,so the invisible power of the Holy Spirit in those who are brought into living union with Christ(Joh_15:2-8, Joh_15:16)produces "the fruit of the Spirit," Gal_5:22, the singular form suggesting the unity of the character of the Lord as reproduced in them, namely, "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance," all in contrast with the confused and often mutually antagonistic"works of the flesh."

So in Phi_1:11, "fruit of righteousness."

In Heb_12:11, "the fruit of righteousness" is described as "peaceable fruit," the outward effect of divine chastening;

"The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace," Jam_3:18, i.e., the seed contains the fruit; those who make peace, produce a harvest of righteousness;

In Eph_5:9, "the fruit of the light" is seen in "goodness and righteousness and truth," as the expression of the union of the Christian with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); for God is good,Mar_10:18, the Son is "the righteous One," Act_7:52, the Spirit is "the Spirit of truth," Joh_16:13;

 

(b) Of advantage, profit, consisting

(1) Of converts as the result of evangelistic ministry, Joh_4:36; Rom_1:13; Phi_1:22;

(2) Of sanctification, through deliverance from a life of sin and through service to God, Rom_6:22, in contrast to

(3) The absence of anything regarded as advantageous as the result of former sins, Rom_6:21;

(4) Of the reward for ministration to servants of God, Phi_4:17;

(5) Of the effect of making confession to God's Name by the sacrifice of praise, Heb_13:15.

 

B. Adjectives.

Unfruitful (Greek – akarpos) is used figuratively :

(a) Of "the word of the Kingdom," rendered "unfruitful" in the case of those influenced by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, Mat_13:22;Mar_4:19;

(b) Of the understanding of one praying with a "tongue," which effected no profit to the church without an interpretation of it, 1Co_14:14;

(c) Of the works of darkness, Eph_5:11;

(d) Of believers who fail "to maintain good works," indicating the earning of one's living so as to do good works to others, Tit_3:14; of the effects of failing to supply in one's faith the qualities of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, love of the brethren, and love, 2Pe_1:8.

 

C. Verb.

To bear or bring forth fruit (Greek – karpophoreo) is used :

(a) In the natural sense, of the "fruit of the earth," Mar_4:28;

(b) Metaphorically, of conduct, or that which takes effect in conduct, Mat_13:23; Mar_4:20; Luk_8:15; Rom_7:4, Rom_7:5 (the latter, of evil "fruit," borne "unto death," of activities resulting from a state of alienation from God)

(End of Vine’s insertion)

 

We have been placed by God in the profound privileged position to “bring forth” by the power of the Holy Spirit

Act 1:8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. (AMP)

 

5. Abraham believed God and God reckoned it to him as righteousness

Scriptures relating to this:

Gen 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Rom 4:18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."

Rom 4:19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

Rom 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

Rom 4:21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

Rom 4:22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Gal 3:5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Gal 3:6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Gal 3:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Gal 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

Gal 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

 

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

Jas 2:22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

Jas 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

The subject of RIGHTEOUSNESS/JUSTIFICATION is being dealt with in a separate teaching under “Third Dispensation Teachings”

 

As a matter of fact, all of the results of God’s dealings with Abraham will be dealt with under the “Third Dispensation Teachings”