  |
The word "covenant" crept into the last paragraph. We must take a moment to understand this word, since it is very important. When the Bible talks of a covenant between two people, it means an "agreement" or a "binding." Each party promises to be faithful to his side of the bargain, and if party A is unfaithful, party B is released from his obligation.
But the Bible also talks of a covenant agreement between God and his people Israel. This is not an agreement between equals but between a superior (God) and an inferior ( Israel). God takes the initiative and chooses Israel, and then Israel can respond, and in so doing is bound to God in a unique and inseparable way. The most significant instance of such a covenant agreement is the one made at Sinai ( Ex. 224: 3-8), at which time the Israelites promise to give exclusive allegiance to God and to be obedient to his will while God promises that the Israelites will remain his chosen people. Later on, the covenant is renewed. ( Josh., ch. 24, for example.) But it is also broken.
The people drift away from God, or they worship other gods. Thus Israel breaks its side of the covenant agreement.
But God does not! This is the astounding thing -- God remains faithful. Choosing Israel out of sheer grace -- for Israel was in no sense "worthy" of the privilege -- God remains faithful to Israel even when Israel is faithless. God has set his heart on Israel. He cannot give it up. When he would have every right to throw Israel overboard, he says:
My heart recoils within me,
my compassion grows warm and tender.
I will not execute my fierce anger,
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come to destroy.
( Hos. 11: 8, 9)
 More Articles |
|
Sitemaps, RSS Feeds & Social Networks
|
|||||||
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
