October 8
Jer 10:1-11:23 | PS 78:56-72 | Prov 24:28-29 | Col 3:18-4:18
What does the word covenant mean to you? In Webster's 1828 dictionary, the word covenant is defined as "a mutual consent or agreement between two or more people to do or not do something, a formal contract that could be in writing or implied." Many don't realize that the word "testament" is really another word for "covenant". Throughout the pages of Scripture we see God making specific covenants with His people. There are seven specific covenants that God made with us, the last being the New Covenant ratified through the Person of Jesus Christ. In Jeremiah 11, as the people are about to be taken captive by the Babylonians, they are reminded of the covenant which was described in Deuteronomy 28, which essentially details the blessings that would come from obedience and the curses that would flow from disobedience, as we read in Jeremiah 11:4-8, "For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the land you live in today.’” Then I replied, “Amen, Lord! May it be so.” Then the Lord said, “Broadcast this message in the streets of Jerusalem. Go from town to town throughout the land and say, ‘Remember the ancient covenant, and do everything it requires. For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, “Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day, but your ancestors did not listen or even pay attention. Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires. And because they refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant.’”
The great majority of people are unaware of these covenants. We, God's children, must stop talking in theory, stop offering our opinions, when God has clearly spoken about topic after topic. God doesn't need our assistance to soften a message, make it more palatable, perhaps make it more socially relevant. In fact, we read in Luke 9:26, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels." So, since God is very specific in His covenants, since God is black and white, and never gray, there really being no middle of the road message with God, we, His children need to honestly portray Him to a world who is in desperate need of Him, though not realizing this. We read in Colossians 4:5-6, "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."
We read in Jeremiah 10:21, "The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer seek wisdom from the Lord. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered." May the same not be said of us. We are all in our respective mission fields, armed with the truth of God's Word revealed in His Covenants, which He will indeed keep. We have an obligation to God, considering all that He has done for us in providing His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, to portray Him honestly and unashamedly to the world at large. There are times to remain quiet, and there are times to speak forth, like the prophets of old. God, please grant your children both wisdom and discernment at such a time as this.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: