God's Commanded Covenant.
By R. F. Cottrell
This is not the old covenant nor the new, but it comprehends the duty of all men at all times, and is a perpetual or everlasting covenant. "And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. iv, 13. The old covenant was a mutual agreement, or treaty, between God and Israel, and it had, connected with it, "ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary;" Heb. ix, 1; and it continued as long as this typical system was in force. But the covenant commanded, which the Lord claims as his covenant, was commanded to a thousand generations; an expression that comprehends all the generations of men that would ever exist upon the earth. "Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations." 1 Chron. xvi, 15. The perpetuity of this covenant and of each of its commandments is declared in the following text. "The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endureth for ever." Ps. cxi, 7-10. 1. There can be no reasonable doubt as to what covenant, or commandments are referred to in this text. They are those of the first text quoted above. All these ten commandments are sure; they stand fast for ever and ever. 2. The for ever in this text is unlimited; unless the duration of God's praise is limited; for the text says, "His praise endureth forever." These commandments "stand fast," and "he hath commanded his covenant," during this same for ever and ever. 3. But it is claimed that the work of redemption is greater than the work of creation, and consequently one, at least, of the commandments was forced to give way when Christ died to redeem us. If these commandments were the old covenant, and were to pass away at the death of the Redeemer, the text should read, "He sent redemption unto his people and abolished his covenant;" but instead of this he says, "He sent redemption to his people; he hath commanded his covenant for ever." Accordingly when the Redeemer came, he confirmed every jot and tittle of this covenant to the end of time. Matt. v, 17-19. 4. This being the case, it still remains a fact, that "a good understanding have all they that do his commandments."