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God’s Eternal Covenants With Israel
Adapted in part from
http://doctrine.org/covenants-of-israel/
accessed 30 August 2016. Used with permission.[1]
When there was a covenant between a stronger and lesser kingdom, it [was] referred to as Suzerain (superior king)/Vassal (lesser king) covenant. In these agreements, autonomy within their own borders is retained, and there was an alliance in wars and protection. If the vassal had issue with another vassal, they would bring it before the suzerain. This is the case in Gen 1:26-28, the Father created Adam to be the vassal king of the garden in Eden, and to colonize this world. …
The Suzerain would keep one copy of the covenant and the vassal would keep one copy of the covenant. This can be seen with the giving of the Torah, and the reason there were 2 tablets. Typically the most widely used rite was that of cutting the bodies of animals in halves and placing them in two rows with enough space between for the two parties of the treaty to walk side by side, as with the Avrahamic covenant, but this isn’t seen until after the fall of Adam and death (separation) was brought into the world. As they walked between the pieces, they were vowing to each other, “May what has happened to these animals, happen to me if I break this covenant with you.” This is why … Avraham was put to a deep sleep. It was a one-sided covenant, to which, if Avraham or his descendant break, [the] incarnate Yeshua would have this done to Him.[2]
God structured His relationship with Israel around covenants. A covenant normally is defined as an agreement or contract between two parties. An examination of the covenants God made with Israel reveals they were decidedly one-sided. Put another way they were unilateral covenants, sovereign declarations. Even the Mosaic Covenant, which is viewed as conditional, in the final analysis, turns out to be unconditional, i.e., sovereignly established, because its provisions will be fulfilled through the New Covenant. Therefore, the best way to view these covenants is as promises.
God made five eternal and irrevocable covenants with Israel, as follows:
• Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3)
• Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:5-6)
• Land (Israeli) Covenant (Genesis 15:18)
• Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:4-29)
• New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
The Scriptures teach these covenants were given to Israel alone (cf. Rom 9:1-5, Eph 2:11-12). The Scriptures declare national Israel will exist forever and God will never forsake the nation (Isa 14:1; Isa 59:20-21; Isa 61:8-9; Jer 31:35-37; Ezek 16:59-63; Hos 2:16-23). God established a particular relationship with Abraham and with his descendants forever. Gentiles would be blessed by being united to Israel and through participating in the Abrahamic Covenant (i.e. Gen 12:3). Thus, all the covenants that God made with Israel remain now and forever in full force!
Full Disclosure: The Center for Messianic Learning is not affiliated with Beth Yeshua International, and the presence of Beth Yeshua content on this website does not imply an endorsement by Beth Yehua or by Rabbi Greg Hershberg. I consider Rabbi Greg “my rabbi” and I attend their worship services remotely at 10:10 a.m. Eastern Time every Shabbat and Holy Day either on Vimeo.com or on their YouTube channel. If you do not have a Messianic synagogue near you, may I suggest you do as I do. It is doubtful you will find a better Torah teacher — or a man who is more sold out for ADONAI and His Messiah — anywhere.
Rabbi Greg Hershberg briefly teaches on the covenants
1. From that website: “©2002 Don Samdahl. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold.” Much in the original article was based on anti-Semitic Replacement Theology and other gross errors of Church interpretation, but much of it was solid and the outline was too good to not be of very good use. [BACK]
2. Hudsom, Brian Keith. “The Suzerain/Vassal Covenants,” ancient-hebrew.org/culture/suzerain-vassal-covenants.htm, accessed 05 May 2022. [BACK]
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ANXIOUSLY WATCHING FOR MASHIACH’S RETURN,
SPEEDILY AND IN OUR DAY. MARANA, TA!
