The principle that covenant obligation binds posterity, is as ancient as human society, and has been constantly recognized by men and by communities in transactions of a civil kind.
Scripture history furnishes several apt illustrations. The case of Joseph and his brethren is in point. Shortly before his death he exacted from them a sworn promise and engagement that, on leaving Egypt, they would carry with them his bones for the purpose of interment in land covenanted to his fathers. 'And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.' Gen 50:25.
What is the subsequent history of this transaction? Did the children of Israel in their haste to leave Egypt forget or dishonor the promise of their ancestors? The religious observance of the oath is a subject of distinct record by the sacred historian. 'And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.' Ex. 13:19.
Nature itself teaches that Scriptural covenants, scripturally entered into, bind posterity; that men, individually and socially, practice on the principle; and that, on any other hypothesis, the teachings of the Bible are unintelligible, contradictory, and calculated to mislead candid inquirers after truth.
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Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto (Galatians 3:15).
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