The New Frontier
I have often asked myself the question of why Israel is still blessed despite there being a new covenant. The Old Covenant is the Jewish Covenant rooted in Moses, the servant of God. The New Covenant is also a Jewish Covenant but rooted in Jesus, the Son of God. The New Covenant supersedes the old Covenant in all ramifications. Yet, the people of Israel who practice the old still prospers.
A little background: My Calling is simple. The Lord told me many years ago, "What I say in your ears, shout on the roof tops." I can't say that I have been completely obedient, but His grace has never once given up on me. So, I can humbly say that I downloaded/heard this first and then I proceeded to confirm it in the Bible and now am shouting it on the rooftop, you get? Shall we then...
Gen 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, crossing his hands; for Manasseh was the firstborn
When God chose to bless the younger son over the elder, it was not to spite or discriminate against first born children, which some firstborns today have misunderstood and sometimes attributed to being the number one factor of their earthly troubles. It was an analogy to show us one of the differences between the old and new covenant. Let's read further...
Gen 48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.
Gen 48:18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
Gen 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
Now, if we read through biblical history, it would seem that this prophecy did not come to pass. No doubt Ephraim was more celebrated than Manasseh, but Ephraim did not become a multitude of nations. Thus, we are led to see the Messianic message in the prophecy.
The Old Covenant under Moses was not yet in existence at the time of this prophecy. But when it was brought forth, we can see from history how it radically changed the fortunes of Israel from a wandering tribe to a great nation. Yet in all the glory of the Old Covenant, it preached isolation. Many-a-time it is recorded in scripture how God will instruct the children of the old covenant not to mix with other tribes and to really be isolated. The Old Covenant was for Israel and Israel alone. Thus, it fulfilled the prophecy on Manasseh that He would be a great nation (singular).
Then God birth the New Covenant, which was also through the Jews but this time, it was for all nations (plural) including the Jews. So, where the Old Covenant preached isolation, the New Covenant preaches integration. Everyone is welcome.
For the Jews, the New Covenant was an all too important system update and for the gentiles it was a brand-new experience different from what our forefathers worshipped.
By this, those Jews that refused to update their system, continue to see the benefits that the old covenant provided their forefathers while those that updated enjoy the benefits of both the old and new.
One of the benefits of the new covenant is access to heaven when this world ends.
Now I will purposely digress to another promise God made to those in the new covenant. He promised us a new heaven and a new earth. See:
Isa 65:17 Take notice! I'm about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things won't be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Isa 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating, for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
Isa 65:19 I'll rejoice over Jerusalem, and take delight in my people; no longer will the sound of weeping be heard in it, nor the cry of distress.
Isa 65:20 "And there will no longer be in it a young boy who lives only a few days, or an old person who does not live out his days; for one who dies at a hundred years will be thought a mere youth, and one who falls short of a hundred years will be considered accursed.
Isa 65:21 People will build houses and live in them; They'll plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
Isa 65:22 They won't build for others to inhabit; they won't plant for others to eat—for like the lifetime of a tree, so will the lifetime of my people be, and my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isa 65:23 They won't toil in vain nor bear children doomed to misfortune, for they will be offspring blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.
Isa 65:24 Before they call, I will answer, while they are still speaking, I'll hear.
Isa 65:25 "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; but as for the serpent—its food will be dust! They won't harm or destroy on my entire holy mountain," says the LORD.
Comments
Post a Comment