Bible-Reading on the Two Covenants.
By R. F. Cottrell
a. A mutual agreement, or contract. It always requires two parties, at least, to make a covenant. b. A writing containing terms of agreement. 2. When was the old, or “first covenant” made with Israel? “In the day,” says God, “that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.” Jer. 31 : 32. “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.” Deut. 5 : 2. 4. What did the Lord do at that time? “The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire.” Verse 4. 5. What did he speak out of the midst of the fire? “And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments.” Deut. 4 : 13. 6. Did the people act a part in making the covenant at Horeb? “The Lord our God made a covenant with us.” 7. Did the people help God make the ten commandments? 8. Did God and the people make a mutual agreement, or contract, at the mount in Horeb? Said God to Moses, “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant [the ten commandments, Deut. 4 : 13], then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people. . . . These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Ex. 19 : 5, 6. 9. When Moses laid these words before the people, what did they reply? “And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken will we do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.” Verse 8. 10. In these transactions, did God and the people mutually make an agreement, contract, or covenant? 11. After they had heard his voice from Sinai, which they had promised to obey, did they ratify the covenant which they had made? “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.” Ex. 24 : 3. “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. . . . And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people; and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” See Ex. 24 : 4-8. 13. Were “these words” of the Lord the covenant, or was the covenant an agreement between the Lord and the people “concerning all these words”? 14. Did the people break the covenant? 15. When they had broken their promise, was the Lord bound to fulfill his? “Should I have continued a husband unto them, saith the Lord.” Verse 32, margin. 16. With whom was the new covenant to be made? “With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” Verse 31. 17. How can Gentiles partake of its blessing? 18. By what blood is the new covenant dedicated? Said Jesus, “This is my blood of the new testament.” Matt. 26 : 28. 19. When God promised a new covenant, did he promise a new law? Said he, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” Jer. 31 : 33. 20. What said the Mediator of the new covenant concerning the existing law? “Think not that I am come to destroy the law. . . . Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matt. 5 : 17, 18. 21. Repeat some of the “better promises” (Heb. 8 : 6) upon which the “better covenant” is established. “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” “They all shall know me.” “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Being redeemed from sin by the blood of Christ (Heb. 9 : 15) they “receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” R. F. COTTRELL.