by Bro. Ogie Omozusi
There’s nothing that He does towards His sons and daughters, but that it flows from His promises. As you go through the scriptures you come to this understanding, He is a God of the covenant.
In these brief meditations will be discussing about the promises, the covenant, the ministry (sanctuary & tabernacle), the testator and on the gift and the sacrifices and how they are a link for the accomplishment of His purpose.
God operates through the principle of his word, in dealing with humanity. As we have stated so far God’s promises are very vital, we have seen that the promises given to Abraham, as the gospel in a nutshell.
All the dimensions of the gospel are locked up in the promises given to Abraham. You may ask yourself why the covenant? why is the Bible so emphatic about covenants? We see the Levitical covenant, we see Abrahamic covenant, covenant made with Noah [Genesis 9:1-17, given to Adam and renewed with Noah], covenant with king David [2 Samuel 7:8-16] and the grand covenant called the New Covenant, but why are there covenants? This is because the promises cannot be fulfilled and bring to completion except there is a covenant.
What is a covenant? In simple terms it is a compact, a testament, a contract, arrangement of any sort between parties to fulfil a purpose or a need. All covenants in the scriptures flow from the word of God, it flows from the promises of God. Covenant is a partnership between God and us to fulfill His purpose and to bless man.
In Hebrews chapter 8 verse 6 we are told that covenant is established upon the promises.
[Hebrews 8:6 KJV] But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
All covenant is established (enacted) on the promises. Yes, all various characteristic of the covenant is founded or has foundation on the promises. If there is no promise there will be no covenant, see [Luke 1:72-73 KJV] To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham.
We shall now discuss ministry (sanctuary & tabernacle) in the context of the Abrahamic covenant. You may ask yourself, why all this teaching about patience, sacrifice, living a life of the altar, death to self, consecration? It is because in the covenant there must be commitments from us , for example Adam was told to dress and keep the garden of Eden Genesis 2:15. Your commitment or faithfulness to your calling in Christ Jesus determine your enjoyment of the blessings entrenched in the covenant and your placement in Him.
Therefore, if you look at Hebrews 9:1 KJV — Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary And [Hebrews 8:2 KJV] A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. To actualize the covenant, God had to set up divine service, tabernacle and priesthood upon the covenant in the light of the promises. [Hebrews 8:1].
Brethren, let us understand that the Priesthood, Priest, Testator did not just appear from nowhere, these are deliberately put in place by the all-wise God to consummate His promise, the oath swore to our father Abraham. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifice according to Hebrews 8:3 and we in His fellowship, as we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service.[Romans 12:1]
This is the sum of what we have said thus far: that first is the promise, then the covenant and the covenant gives birth to the ministry and the ministry is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices.
The Abrahamic covenant cannot be in effect and the hope of humanity perish [John 3:16] without the death of the testator [Hebrews 9:16-17]. Jesus Christ appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. [Hebrews 9:26] Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death and was heard in that He feared. [Hebrews 5:7 KJV]
Brethren, all the resources of heaven have been released to ensure the fulfillment of the promised oath given to Abraham in all seven parts in Your Life.
Questions
■Do you have this covenant of life and peace, and enjoying its provisions Malachi 3:5-7?
■Are you committed to the covenant you have with God by consistently dressing and keeping the garden of your life?
Prayers
■ Let us pray with 1 John 1:1 KJV — That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life,
Let us pray that God should cause us to hear, see, meet and handle the Testator, that’s forever alive.
May the Lord bless you and make you a blessing. Amen.
To be continued….
