Definition / Description of Terms
“Covenant”
Lemma - בְּרִית - The Word “covenant” in Jeremiah 31:31 is a noun which means “a contractual arrangement between God and a person, or between human beings, which required binding action from one or both parties; one party often had higher status in the arrangement.” (1)
“NEW”
Lemma - חָדָשׁ - The word “new” in Jeremiah 31:31 is an adjective which means “different - other than the former one(s).” (2)
“New Covenant”
בְּרִ֥ית חֲדָשָֽׁה
Abner Chou defines the New Covenant very simply with the following words: “A covenant between God and his people that is anticipated in the Old Testament (Jer 31:31) and fulfilled in the New Testament (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 9:15; 12:24). The new covenant involves forgiveness of sin, spiritual transformation, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.” (3)
Although the concept of, and ideas related to, the New Covenant is mentioned throughout the Bible, the actual term “New Covenant” is mentioned 4 times in four verses in the King James Version of the Bible: Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:8; Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 12:24.
Jeremiah 31:31
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Hebrews 8:8
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Juda:
Hebrews 8:13
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 12:24
and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
From just a cursory observation of these verses alone, it is readily apparent that the New Covenant is:
A covenant God makes with the Houses of Israel and Judah (See also Ezek. 37:15-19; Rom. 9:4, 5). There are differences of opinion concerning the church’s involvement in this Covenant…primarily depending upon whether one follows Covenant or Dispensational Theology. An interesting discussion of this matter occurs in the New American Commentary where David Allen concludes, “Spiritual aspects of the new covenant are presently in vogue. However, geographical and political aspects of the promises made to Israel await fulfillment in the future.” (4)
A covenant made because of a prior failure on the part of Israel and Judah.
A covenant that replaces another prior covenant (Mosaic Covenant mentioned in “2”).
A covenant that was/is mediated by Jesus and His blood (Luke 22:20).
The Time of the Covenant
Jeremiah 31:31-33 declares that there will be a “new covenant” made with Israel and Judah in the future. This covenant is described in Ezekiel 20:33-37 (Also mentioned in Ezekiel 34:11-25) as being established between God and the Jews in a “face-to-face” meeting at a specific location and a specific time in the future.
It is interesting to note that during the Tribulation as described in the Book of Revelation, the woman (Israel) is given wings and flies into the wilderness (the exact place mentioned in Ezekiel 20:35) and is hidden/nourished there for three and one-half years (Revelation 12). At the end of this time, Jesus comes back from heaven (Revelation 19), and it is then (it is believed) that this covenant will be officially implemented with Israel for, after that, the millennial kingdom is ushered in (Revelation 20).
The Nature of the Covenant
When considering the basic features, or characteristics, of this covenant, it is observed that it is an unconditional covenant. Fulfillment of the promises of the covenant would NOT depend upon Israel’s obedience. Remember, the Old Covenant (Mosaic) with its blessings and curses was based upon obedience. God bases the fulfillment of the New Covenant squarely upon his own sovereign will and in consideration of Israel’s past disobedience (in relation to the previous Mosaic Covenant)—Ezekiel 36:22. The “New Covenant” promises that God will cause His people to obey Him. God’s New Covenant is not, therefore, based upon Israel’s obedience; rather, it will be the source of her future obedience (Jer. 32:39, 40; Ezek. 36:27; 37:23, 24). It is also discovered that God placed no requirements whatsoever on Israel concerning the New Covenant. God takes full responsibility for its fulfillment (Ezek. 36:36).
Let it be further observed that the New Covenant, is everlasting. Once officially established/implemented with Israel, the New Covenant will never be altered or annulled (Isa. 61:8,9; Jer. 32:40; Ezek. 16:60; 37:26). The Old Covenant (Mosaic Law Covenant) was temporary. It was NOT to bring life; but rather served to bring condemnation—to demonstrate man’s inability to obey God’s laws (“ministration of death” - II Cor. 3:7, 8).
Details of the New Covenant
As one examines the New Covenant it will be noted that there are several characteristics of this covenant that make it uniquely distinct. The table that follows helps to clarify these distinctions:
Chief Characteristics of the New Covenant - Some of which apply to the Church | |
Regeneration - a new heart and a new nature (not a new set of laws to be disobeyed) | Jer. 31:33; 32:39-40; Ezek. 36:26. |
Forgiveness of sin | Jer. 31:34; Ezek. 36:25 |
Indwelling Holy Spirit | Ezekiel 36:27 |
Universal, personal knowledge of God | Jeremiah 31:34 |
Permanent obedience with a right, heart attitude | Jer. 32:39-40; Ezek. 36:27; 37:23-24 |
National Blessings to the People of IsraelGod’s Spirit and words would never depart from them (Isa. 59:21).Israel would have a good reputation among the nations (Isa. 61:8, 9).Israel would enjoy a unique relationship with God as His covenant people(Jer. 31:33; Ezek 36:28).God’s unique blessing will be upon the nation (Jer. 32:40-42).There will be the elimination of destructive wild animals from the land (Ezek. 34:25, 28).Elimination of threats from other nations (Ezek. 34:28, 29).Abundance of resources (Ezek 34:27, 29; 36:29-30).Land restored to Garden-of-Eden-like conditions (Ezek. 34:29; 36:34, 35).Controlled rainfall over Israel (Ezek. 34:26).Reconstruction of Israel’s cities (Ezek. 36:33).Population explosion in the nation (Ezek. 36:37, 38).Nation completely reunified; no division between Israel and Judah (Ezek. 37:21-22).The Jews will possess their homeland forever (Ezek. 37:25).God’s sanctuary will be in Israel and He will dwell personally in their midst(Ezek. 37:26-28)God will never forsake His chosen people (Jer. 32:40). |
Concluding Statement
Concerning the reason why this Covenant is branded as (essentially) new, David Allen states the following, “The new covenant is new in terms of the internalization of the law and the ultimate forgiveness of sins which it effects…the new covenant replaces the old.”
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1. Faithlife Corporation. “Covenant.” Logos Bible Software, Computer software. Logos Bible Software Bible Sense Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife Corporation, November 3, 2016. https://ref.ly/logos4/Senses;KeyId=ws.covenant.n.03.
2. Faithlife Corporation. “New (different).” Logos Bible Software, Computer software. Logos Bible Software Bible Sense Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife Corporation, November 3, 2016. https://ref.ly/logos4/Senses;KeyId=ws.new.s.05.
3. Chou, Abner. “New Covenant.” Edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
4. Allen, David L. Hebrews. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010, p.456.
5 Monte, Marc 2016. “Crucible of Crisis - Life Lessons from Jeremiah Book of Consolation: The New Covenant.” Lessons 41,42, Pensacola Theological Seminary, Pensacola.
6 Allen, David L. Hebrews. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010, p. 454.
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