God’s Unbreakable Covenant—From Israel to Us
ICS Daily Devotions
Deuteronomy 8:1 (NKJV) Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers.
When we speak of God as a God of covenant, we are reminded that He is faithful to His Word and never changes His mind about His promises. Israel’s story shows us that while sin and disobedience can delay God’s blessings, His desire has always been for His people to live, multiply, and possess the land He had promised them. In the same way, through Christ, believers are invited into the abundant life that flows from God’s covenant faithfulness.
Many of us have the wrong perception that God is always angry or eager to punish us when we fumble and fall. However, if we look at the story of Israel, we see that God wanted them to possess the land that He had promised their forefathers, to have life, live, and multiply after themselves. What had caused them to wander in the desert for forty years was the sin of Israel, their rebelliousness and stiff-neckedness. Because God is holy, just, and righteous, He must judge the sins of humanity, including the people of Israel. We need to know that the people of Israel were operating under two covenants, namely the Mosaic and Abrahamic Covenants.
A blood covenant is the closest, most enduring, solemn, and sacred of all contracts, and it cannot be broken. When we enter a blood covenant with someone, we promise to give the other party our life, love, and protection forever. It is a binding, unbreakable agreement based on blood, resulting in the absolute union of two parties in which all assets, talents, and liabilities are shared.
The Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional because the Messiah would come through this covenant, making it fail-proof. It is through this covenant that all the nations of the earth will be blessed. On the other hand, the Mosaic Covenant is conditional and subject to the obedience of the people of Israel in order for the blessings to flow. Disobeying the Mosaic Covenant would remove God’s protection and leave His people vulnerable to their enemies. God had to let this happen because He is just, righteous, and holy. Therefore, He reminded the Israelites time and again to carefully observe His commands so that things would go well with them, such as victory over their enemies and possessing the land.
We, the Gentiles, are the beneficiaries of the Abrahamic Covenant. Jesus fulfilled the law for us and took upon Himself all the curses of the law when He hung on the cross for us. He was made sin for us so that we can have His righteousness and enjoy the abundant life now. Therefore, there is a parallel between the Israelites possessing and living in the promised land and us living the abundant life after accepting Christ. God is a God of covenant, and He will watch over His part to fulfil it in our lives. He will honour His covenant with us just as He honoured His covenant with the people of Israel.
Sermon Series: Stay Humble in His Presence
