Old Covenant . . . New Covenant

Last week's message was the start of a study comparing the Old Blood Covenant with the New Blood Covenant. We learned that a covenant is a set of promises made between two parties never to be broken. Jehovah God laid the foundation for establishing the Old Covenant by making seven promises to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 12:2-3 which He kept and continues to keep. This week's message will illustrate how God established the Old Blood Covenant.

Genesis 15 is entitled "God's Covenant With Abraham." The early verses show Jehovah God and Abraham having a conversation. Abraham questions how God can continue to provide for him and his descendants since he is childless. God responds by telling Abraham he will have a son. In fact, God says to Abraham in verse 5, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars . . . so shall your offspring be." Also God said to Abraham the land you are standing on I will give to you and your descendants.

Genesis 15:8-10,12,17 says, "But Abraham said, 'O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it? So The Lord said to him, bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.' Abraham brought all these to Him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. . . As the sun was setting, Abraham fell into a deep sleep and thick and dreadful darkness came over him . . . when the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking fire pot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces."

The above Scripture is the actual establishment of the Old Blood Covenant. The sacrifice of animals was part of covenant ceremonies and lining them opposite each other represented the two parties to the covenant - God and Abraham. The burning torch passing between the animal pieces actually represented God establishing the covenant. Bless His Holy Name!

Additionally, Genesis 15:18 described God giving the land of Israel to Abraham and his descendants, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." This describes a much larger tract of land than present day Israel but land that God's Covenant People will posses in the future. {Revelation 21:16}

Next week's message will illustrate Jehovah God continuing the Old Blood Covenant through Abraham's son Isaac. Stay Tuned! 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank