18 KEY LESSONS OF GENESIS 22 (11)

18 KEY LESSONS OF GENESIS 22 (11)

Lesson 16: A New Covenant is established (Genesis 22:16): Abraham's obedience was graciously accepted; but this was not all: here we have it rewarded, abundantly recompensed, before he stirred from the place; probably while the ram he had sacrificed was yet burning God sent him this gracious message, renewed and ratified his covenant with him. All covenants were made by sacrifice, so was this by the typical sacrifices of Isaac and the ram. Very high expressions of God's favour to Abraham are employed in this confirmation of the covenant with him, expressions exceeding any he had yet been blessed with.

Note, Extraordinary services shall be crowned with extraordinary honours and comforts; and favours in the promise, though not yet performed, ought to be accounted real and valuable recompenses. Observe,

1. God is pleased to make mention of Abraham's obedience as the consideration of the covenant; and he speaks of it with an encomium: Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, Genesis 22:16. He lays a strong emphasis on this, and (Genesis 22:18) praises it as an act of obedience: in it thou hast obeyed my voice, and to obey is better than sacrifice. Not that this was a proportionable consideration, but God graciously put this honour upon that by which Abraham had honoured him.

2. God now confirmed the promise with an oath. It was said and sealed before; but now it is sworn: By myself have I sworn; for he could swear by no greater, Hebrews 6:13. Thus he interposed himself by an oath, as the apostle expresses it, Hebrews 6:17. He did (to speak with reverence) even pawn his own life and being upon it (As I live), that by all those immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, he and his might have strong consolation. Note, if we exercise faith, God will encourage it. Improve the promises, and God will ratify them.

Finally, upon the Cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ made a New Covenant with us by his death; this was the only Sacrifice acceptable by God till eternity. He is the Lamb that took away the sins of the whole world (Hebrews 8:7-8, 13). And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Romans 7:6, Romans 6:14).

Word Affirmation: “Save me, O God." - Psalms 69:1 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“If we exercise faith, God will encourage it. Improve the promises, and God will ratify them.”

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