This Sunday we will turn our attention to the matter of covenant. As we said last week, this is the second precursor to the series on Hebrews, which has at its heart the matter of God's covenant with his Old Testament people Israel, and the establishment of the new covenant in Christ. This theme is present throughout Hebrews, but is particularly clear in the central portion of the letter (from Hebrews 7-10). While we will come to this in due course, you may like to read these chapters in preparation for our time together on Sunday.

The Bible readings for Sunday will be Jer. 31:27-37 and Matt. 26:26-35. These readings both focus on the establishment of the new covenant and on Sunday we aim to give attention to the manner in which Jesus fulfils and secures the promise of the new covenant in his own person and work.

In discussing these things we need to avoid the error of thinking that the covenants are in any sense reactionary responses of God to unforeseen circumstances. It is self evident that there are a number of clearly expressed OT covenant arrangements ( e.g. the covenants with Noah, Abraham and his descendants, Moses, and David), and it is also clear that the OT contains the promise of a new covenant to come, one which goes beyond all the ruinous destruction of the broken covenant, which led to the razing of the Jerusalem Temple and the exile. However, we must not read these as contingency plans, as though plan A did not work, so plan B, C, D and finally E are then put into effect. Rather, we need to see all these covenant arrangements as giving expression in history of the one covenant of grace, which God had purposed before creation and which manifests his plan and purpose, culminating with the coming of the Son himself. Each is part of the revelation of God's nature, and a necessary stage in the preparation for the coming of the Son, in whom God has spoken finally and decisively in the last days (so Hebrews 1:1-4).

There are certain things in common with all the covenant arrangements. Firstly, we note that God always is the initiator (they are unilateral covenants); secondly, God himself declares his promises in the covenant; and thirdly, he stipulates the obligations of the covenant together with the sign(s) of the covenant reality ( e.g. the rainbow, circumcision); finally God himself superintends the covenant arrangements, bringing the covenant to its goal and effecting all the constituent elements of covenant sanctions and blessings. In all these things, it is also important to note that a covenant is not a contractual relationship, as though the covenant(s) exist between two equal parties, both of whom bring something to the negotiating table.

Many scholars point to parallels in the ancient world, where kings would make covenants with conquered peoples, for example. However, in my view, the biblical covenants do not draw their substance from the actions of human rulers. Rather, the opposite is the case. Because covenant belongs to the heart of God, in which he expresses his faithfulness in promises that are superintended by his own holy will, it is not surprising to see human beings (who were made in his image) express their relationships in covenantal ways. The difference is that God's covenant is entirely of grace, and he himself keeps the covenant faithfully.

When we consider the establishment of the new covenant, we must focus on Jesus. In him, we see all the covenant elements fulfilled. God takes the initiative in sending the Son; he declares his promises in and through him, having prepared the way for his coming in all the preceding covenants; he (Jesus) takes upon himself the responsibility of fulfilling all the covenant obligations, and draws to himself all the covenant sanctions, thus securing the holiness of the covenant people for all time; he gives the signs of the covenant (baptism and the Lord's Supper); and he brings the covenant to its goal. As the one mediator between God and Man, Jesus stands on God's side (so to speak) in affirming the holy obligations of the covenant; and he stands on Man's side in fulfilling them...even to the point of bearing in his body the curse of the broken covenant.

So, in these matters we have much to occupy our hearts and minds, and much to prepare us for the message of Hebrews. May the Father grant to us all a rich and substantial hearing of his word for these days!