Exploring the Covenant Between God and Abraham
Delve into the everlasting covenant between God and Abraham, discovering the purpose of the covenant and God's plan for those who join Him. Uncover the significance of God as our shield and the promises He bestows upon His followers.
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Lesson 5 for May 1, 2021
Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. (Psalm 50:5). Which is the purpose of the covenant? What s God s plan for those joining Him in this everlasting covenant? Let us study the covenant between God and Abraham to find the answers to these questions.
Thy Shield Messiah Promise (1) Messiah Promise (2) A Great & Mighty Nation To make your name great
I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20
THY SHIELD Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. I am your shield. God introduced Himself to Abram in an intimate way. He is not just a shield, but your shield. He is our shield.
THY SHIELD Other biblical authors also considered God their shield What does it mean? 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Saviour, You save me from violence. Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
THY SHIELD Physical protection (Psalm 91:4-7). God can deliver us from all dangers, although He might decide not to do so in specific occasions. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
THY SHIELD Protection against temptation (1Corinthiana 10:13). God always protects us from temptation if we ask Him to. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. If we seek shelter under God s shield, He will always protect us from the circumstances that may lead us away from salvation.
How would all the families of the earth be blessed through Abraham? On one hand, everyone would know of the Plan of Redemption thanks to Abraham s descendants.
On the other hand, the ultimate blessing would come through Abraham s seed (Genesis 28:14). 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Paul explained that the promised seed is Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to your Seed, who is Christ. The Redeemer Himself becomes the means by which the obligations of the covenant arrangement are met and all of its other promises are realized.
MESSIAH PROMISE (2) This world is controlled by sin and wickedness. Our only hope to live in a better world is to take shelter behind the Shield, and to trust His seed. It was impossible for us to pay the debt of our sins. However, Jesus made it possible through His death and resurrection.
MESSIAH PROMISE (2) He is still interceding for each one of us in the Heavenly Sanctuary as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
MESSIAH PROMISE (2) Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Jesus is the definitive fulfillment of God s promise in His covenant with Abraham.
A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION Genesis 12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Genesis 18:18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? Abraham did not even have a son when God promised him these things. However, when the descendants of Abraham left Egypt, they were already a large people.
A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION Exodus 19:6a And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION God confirmed His covenant with them. He also entrusted them a specific mission: to be an example to other nations, a light in the darkness. Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION God wanted humankind to seek the God of Israel and to accept the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto Him should live. (COL, p. 290).
The people of God are His represent- atives upon the earth, and He intends that they shall be lights in the moral darkness of this world. Scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities, and villages, they are God s witnesses, the channels through which He will communicate to an unbelieving world the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace. E.G.W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 134)
TO MAKE YOUR NAME GREAT Humans wanted to make their name great by building the tower of Babel. But they were humiliated by God (Genesis 11:4, 8). On the other hand, God took a humble man Abraham and made his name great, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
TO MAKE YOUR NAME GREAT However, God s greatness is different to this world s greatness . God s greatness is related to character, faith, obedience, humbleness, and loving others. Therefore, do not seek your own greatness, but let God make your name great.
The End These slides have been adapted from those prepared by Sergio Fustero and Eunice Laveda, members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Spain. The originals can be found at https://www.fustero.es/index_en.php A copy of my expanded version can be found at www.thornleighadventist.org.au/ss_adult.htm
