God’s Wonderful Plan
After man sinned, the promise of a Savior was given and the sacrificial offerings pointed forward to the death of Christ. God raised up a special people whom He organized into the nation of Israel. He nurtured, loved and led His people because He had something great in mind for them. The ordinance of circumcision became a sign of their pledge to be true, obedient followers of God. Their lives were to be guided by the principles of grace to show the world the benefits of obedient faith. So God made a covenant with them—an agreement or contract.
Old Covenant
God's Part:
He promised to bless His people.
He would give them possession of the land of Canaan. He would make known His will to them.
He would send them the Messiah.
He would use them to make Christ known to the world (see Deut. 11:22-27; 4:13; Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5, 6).
Israel's Part:
The people were to yield obedience and to cooperate with all God's requirements. This was to be done by bringing God's grace and power into their lives (see Ex. 19:4-6; Deut. 4:13, 36-40).
When was it made? It was first with Abraham and His posterity that it became fully and wholly effective (see Gen. 12:1-3).
How was it sealed? By blood sacrifices (see Ex. 24:5-8).
How was it broken? In rejecting and crucifying Christ the Jewish people renounced the covenant and were rejected as the chosen people (see Matt. 21:43).
If Israel had been faithful to the old covenant what would have happened? The Old Covenant was designed to enable those bound by its provisions to enter into the privileges and responsibilities of the New or Everlasting covenant. They could have been given the joy of salvation through Jesus. But the tragedy is that they are still looking for the Messiah and did not see and accept the atoning sacrifice of God's own Son.
New Covenant
God's Part:
He promised to bless His people.
He would write His laws in their minds and hearts.
He would be their God.
We would be His people (see Heb. 8:8-10).
Our Part:
To be obedient to all of God's requirements. This will be done through Christ and our close relationship with Him—not in our own strength, but upon our reliance on Christ and His strength (see Rom. 9:31-33; Phil. 4:13; 3:9; Rev. 12:14).
When was it made? When Jesus was crucified, God transferred the privileges and responsibilities of the covenant relationship to His new chosen people, the Christian church (see Gal. 3:27-29).
How was it sealed? By the blood of Jesus when He died on the cross (see Luke 22:20; Heb. 9:14, 15).
What are the differences? The chief difference is that the "Old Covenant" was made with Israel as a nation, But the "New Covenant" is made with individual believers in Christ.
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