The Old and New Covenants

It is impossible to discuss the old and new covenants without bringing the everlasting covenant into the discussion.  The everlasting covenant that was made between the nation of Israel and Elohim included all of humanity.   

“For thus saith Yahuwah unto the eunuchs that keep My Sabbaths, and choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My covenant; even unto them will I give in Mine house and within My walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.  Also the sons of the stranger [non-Israelite], that join themselves to Yahuwah, to serve Him, and to love the name of Yahuwah, to be His servants, everyone that keeps the Sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.  Yahuwah Elohim which gathers the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to Him, beside those that are gathered unto Him” (Isa. 56:4-8, emphasis added). 

Even though the Jews became exclusive, Elohim was always inclusive.  He has always wanted and still wants all of humanity saved.  “Yahuwah is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all [Jews and Gentiles] should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).  “And He [Yahushua] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).  Even though the sacrifice that was made was sufficient for the salvation of all humanity, not all want to meet the conditions laid out in the covenant.   

A covenant is always between at least two individuals and is an agreement by both parties to fulfill certain specific obligations.  Conditions in the everlasting covenant are laid out in Deuteronomy chapter twenty-eight.  Verses one through fourteen are what Israel was to do in order to obtain and retain the blessings of Yahuwah, and Yahuwah in turn promised the nation of Israel many blessings should they keep their part of the agreement.  “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken [listen and then obey] unto the voice of Yahuwah thy Elohim” (Deut. 28:2, emphasis added).

“And it shall come to pass, IF thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Yahuwah thy Elohim, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that Yahuwah thy Elohim will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deut. 28:1, emphasis added).   All of Elohim’s promises are given under conditions as indicated by that little word “if.”

The conditions, for the blessings of Elohim and the removal of those blessings, are spelled out for us in that chapter.  What Elohim required of them is made clear and what the nation of Israel could expect in return is given.  This is the covenant that the nation of Israel had agreed to at Mt Sinai. 

“And Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahuwah, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which Yahuwah hath said will we do” (Ex. 24:3, emphasis added).  And then they repeated it four verses later.  “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that Yahuwah hath said will we do, and be obedient” (Ex. 24:7, emphasis added). 

One would have hoped they were sincere in what they were consenting to, but we read these words in Psalm 78:36-38.  “Nevertheless they did flatter Him with their mouth, and they lied unto Him with their tongues.  For their heart was not right with Him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant.  But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned He His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath” (emphasis added).

It was Elohim’s purpose to bless them and prosper them in ways that the nations around them would see their prosperity was due to the blessings of Elohim alone.   “Yahuwah shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and He shall bless thee in the land which Yahuwah thy Elohim gives thee.  Yahuwah shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, If thou shalt keep the commandments of Yahuwah thy Elohim, and walk in His ways.  And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of Yahuwah; and they shall be afraid of thee” (Deut. 28:8-10, emphasis added). 

It was what He had done for Joseph while in Egypt.  Elohim had blessed Joseph while he was a servant in the house of Potiphar and when he was put in prison.  “And Yahuwah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  And his master saw that Yahuwah was with him, and that Yahuwah made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Yahuwah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahuwah was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.  And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored” (Gen. 39:2-6, emphasis added).

“But Yahuwah was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.  The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because Yahuwah was with him, and that which he did, Yahuwah made it to prosper” (Gen. 39: 21-23, emphasis added).

Elohim would be with the nation of Israel to prosper and bless them IF they followed His ways just as He had prospered and blessed Joseph in the land of Egypt.  “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deut. 4:6). 

The nation of Israel would have been “a wise and understanding people” if they had followed in the ways of Yahuwah Elohim.  “Yea, they turned back and tempted Elohim, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (Ps. 78:41). 

But instead they learned the ways of the heathen, even after Yahuwah had told them “Learn not the way of the heathen” (Jer. 10:2).  “Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways” (Eze. 16:47, emphasis added).  The nation of Israel did worse than the heathen that had been driven from the land!

Verses 15-68 delineate the curses Elohim would bring upon Israel should they fail to walk in His ways.  “But it shall come to pass, IF thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Yahuwah thy Elohim, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee” (Deut. 28:15, emphasis added).  The blessings and the curses were all conditional on whether or not the nation of Israel kept their part of the agreement, and so it is with all those who enter into the covenant with Yahuwah Elohim!

This covenant has never been rescinded and is still in effect with all the peoples of this earth today.  It is an everlasting covenant initially made with Israel but included all of humanity.  “For Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (Isa. 56:7, emphasis added).  “But in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted with Him” (Acts 10:35). 

There are blessings and curses contained throughout the Scriptures that are ours depending entirely on our behavior.  “And it shall come to pass, IF thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Yahuwah thy Elohim, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that Yahuwah thy Elohim will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deut. 28:1, emphasis added).  “But it shall come to pass, IF thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Yahuwah thy Elohim, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee” (Deut. 28:15, emphasis added).  These promises of blessings and curses are ours depending upon our obedience or disobedience.  They are not handed out unconditionally!  “Be not deceived; Elohim is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

“Now therefore, IF you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine” (Ex. 19:5, emphasis added).  “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:14, emphasis added).

“Yet now hear, O Jacob My servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen” (Isa. 44:1, emphasis added).  “Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is Yahuwah; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” (Ps. 33:12, emphasis added).  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9, emphasis added). 

Both the Old and New Testaments tell us the same things.  The New Testament did not replace the Old Testament as many seem to believe.  They are both testimonies for us to learn from.  The fact Elohim may have chosen you does not give you the freedom to do as you please.  Obedience is required to retain that status! 

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14, emphasis added).  Yahushua does the calling and choosing, but it is left with us as to whether we will be found faithful.  “Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art My servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away” (Isa. 41:9, emphasis added).  “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21, emphasis added).  We have a very dim concept of what awaits those who are found faithful to the end!

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim” (Rom. 2:28-29, emphasis added).  It has always been a matter of the heart (the mind), but humanity is slow to understand the true nature of what is wrong with himself.

Those whom Elohim chooses and calls His peculiar people are called to a high standard, a very high standard, that can only be reached through the indwelling power of Elohim’s Spirit and not through their own efforts to obtain and keep the conditions given in the covenant Elohim made with humanity.  Even though the nation of Israel failed to attain to those high standards there were always some who understood that in and of themselves dwelt no good thing and with whom Yahuwah was able to work.  “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing:  for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Rom. 7:18).  People like Zacharias and Elizabeth who we are told in Luke 1:6 “were both righteous before Elohim, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of Yahuwah blameless.” 

“The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way” (Ps. 25:9).  Our attitude has a great deal to do with how Elohim can or cannot teach us and bless us.   

The nation of Israel had told Elohim “All that Yahuwah hath said, we will do,” and just a short time later we saw the nation of Israel was committing adultery and idolatry!  What happened to their promises made to Yahuwah just a short time before?  “For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Rom 7:18).  We have inherited a fallen, human nature that needs a power outside of itself to enable us to live in accordance with Elohim’s will.

Paul had this to say in the book of Hebrews:  “For if that first [old] covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second [new]” (Heb. 8:7).  What was wrong with the first [old] covenant? 

“But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better [new] covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6, emphasis added).  What was the matter with the first covenant’s promises?  Who made the promises that were faulty in the first covenant?  It certainly was not Elohim, was it?  “Elohim is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19).  Elohim’s promises never fail, when we meet the conditions under which they are given. 

The reason the first [old] covenant failed was that the promises made in the first covenant were made by the nation of Israel.  “And Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahuwah, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which Yahuwah hath said will we do” (Ex. 24:3, emphasis added).  “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that Yahuwah hath said will we do, and be obedient” (Ex. 24:7, emphasis added).  The broken promises made by Israel eventually caused the covenant curses to go into effect.

Far too many have a false concept of when the second [new] covenant went into effect and what that covenant consists of, because far too many professed Christians pay little attention to the Old Testament and confine themselves to what is written in the New Testament.  When did the second covenant go into effect? 

Most believe the new covenant is contained in the New Testament and that obedience is no longer required, forgetting or not knowing what is written in Malachi 3:6.  “For I am Yahuwah, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed” (emphasis added).  Even though Yahuwah Elohim changes not, many have changed Him into what they want Him to be like.  His conditions for salvation have ever been the same; they have not changed even though you may have been erroneously taught and believed they had changed. 

Jeremiah spelled it out for the nation of Israel and for us.  “The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahuwah, saying, Hear you the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem [and to all humanity]; and say thou unto them, Thus saith Yahuwah Elohim of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeys not the words of this covenant, which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey My voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall you be My people, and I will be your Elohim:  that I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O Yahuwah” (Jer. 11:1-5, emphasis added).  “That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers.”  It was Elohim’s longing desire to be able to bless the nation of Israel as He had promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, but it was all contingent on their obedience.  He took no pleasure in having to punish them just as no earthly parent enjoys punishing their children!

“But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better [new] covenant, which was established [past tense] upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6, emphasis added).  How was the new covenant established on better promises?  It was established on the promises made by Yahuwah Elohim Almighty and not on anything man promised, and it is first found in Jeremiah 31:31-33. 

“Behold, the days come, saith Yahuwah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah [and with all of humanity]:  not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yahuwah:  but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahuwah, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people” (emphasis added).  This new covenant was made during the Old Testament times and was recorded for us by the prophet Jeremiah to the nation of Judah and includes all of humanity.

Paul is simply quoting what Jeremiah wrote back in the thirty-first chapter of the book named after him.  “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Yahuwah; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them an Elohim, and they shall be to Me a people” (Heb. 8:10, emphasis added).  Instead of tables of stone, the laws, statutes, and commandments were going to be written on the fleshy tables of humanity’s heart – in our minds!

Ezekiel had this to say in chapter thirty-six of his book:  “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put My spirit [the Holy Spirit is Elohim’s Spirit (Isa. 63:10, 11, and 14)] within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments, and do them.  And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be My people, and I will be your Elohim.  I will also save you from all your uncleannesses” (Eze. 36:26-29, emphasis added). 

What Israel had failed to attain to – obedience, will be attained by allowing Yahuwah to put His Spirit within each of us causing us “to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments, and do them.”  And how do we obtain His Spirit (Isa. 63:10, 11 and 14)?  Ask!  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13).

Many ministers, who profess faith in the Bible, are telling their congregations they cannot keep Elohim’s commandments, statutes, and judgments, and even worse is that they do not need to keep His commandments, statutes, and judgments!  In the new covenant as shown in Jeremiah 31-31-33, Ezekiel 36:26-29, and Hebrews 8:10 all excuses for continuing to sin are silenced. 

Most professing Christians have not been “born again.”  “Whosoever is born of Elohim doth not commit sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of Elohim” (1 John 3:9, emphasis added). 

And once we are born again we must continue to abide in Him (Messiah).  “Whosoever abides in Him sins not: whosoever sins hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1 John 3:6, emphasis added).

When conducting medical clinical testing a placebo (a substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value) is used by one group while the other group receives the “real thing.”  So it is with all who claim to be “born again.”  The fruit of the Spirit, the true evidence of whether one has the Spirit of Elohim abiding within them, will be seen.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Messiah's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-25, emphasis added). 

There are many who believe when you walk in the Spirit you are bouncy, cheery, and happy–go-lucky.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).   Most fail to crucify the flesh and the lusts thereof (Rom. 6:12; 13:14) and as a result, the works of the flesh are still seen in them.  Paul tells us we need to die daily to ourselves.  See 1 Corinthians 15:31. 

The problem with humanity is not the sinning. Sinning is only the symptom of a much deeper problem and that is the fallen, human nature we have inherited from Adam.  “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image” (Gen. 5:3, emphasis added). 

Adam and Eve were created in Elohim’s likeness.  “And Elohim said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness” (Gen. 1:26, emphasis added).  A change took place within the very nature of humanity as a result of Adam’s failure.  Adam could no longer pass on to his offspring what he no longer possessed. 

In the new covenant, Elohim gives us His Spirit (Isa. 63:10, 11, and 14) to enable us to be restored back into His likeness once again.  “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of Yahuwah, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of Yahuwah” (2 Cor. 3:18, emphasis added). 

Compare what we just read about the fruit of the Spirit of Elohim with what we are told are the works of our inherited, fallen, human nature.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings [to take part in noisy festivities; make merry], and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohim” (Gal. 5:19-21, emphasis added). 

The remedy for our inherited, fallen, human nature is what is included in the new covenant.  By the power of the indwelling Spirit of Elohim, which dwelt in Yahushua Messiah enabling Him to live a sinless life, you too can live a life that is pleasing and honoring to our heavenly Father and His Son, Yahushua Messiah and is in total obedience.  “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me [through His Spirit], He does the works” (John 14:10, emphasis added). 

Working on obedience will never get you to where you need to be.  Working on abiding in Messiah once you have been “born again” will get you there.  “Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).  “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit [fruit of the Spirit]: for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5, emphasis added).