You and I are thinking about the statement, "Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, because he is the mediator of a better covenant, which is based on better promises" (Heb 8:6-8). In this lesson we ask, “How was the New Covenant Instituted?”

Negotiated Agreement Between God and Man?

We sometimes hear the word "covenant" defined as an "agreement" — meaning a formal negotiated agreement between two parties. This is correct for some covenants. In Australia, a marriage is such a covenant, so also is the usual solution to an industrial dispute. Abraham made such a covenant with Abimelech (Gen 21:22-34). However, we do not read of such a covenant being instituted between God and man. The new covenant of Jesus Christ especially is never characterized as an agreement negotiated between man and God.

God's Unconditional Promises to Man?

Another kind of covenant is a solemn promise or vow by one party to benefit a second party without requiring the beneficiary to fulfill any conditions. The covenant of the rainbow is a good example. God made a promise never again to destroy the whole world with a flood, and he set his bow in the sky as a sign of this covenant. Man was not required to do anything for God to keep this promise. It was a unilateral, unconditional covenant (Gen 9:8-17). However, the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ is never portrayed as unconditional promises. It is a covenant for man to keep. How many times did Jesus say, "keep my commandments... keep my words..." (eg Jhn 8:51-52, Jhn 14:15,23).

God's Promises and Commandments for Man?

A third type of covenant is one which makes promises to the beneficiary that are conditional upon the beneficiary doing something. Often a person's last will and testament is like that. A rich uncle leaves you his fortune, but you have to care for his cats in the manner to which they have become acustomed. Another example is an insurance policy. The insurer hands you a policy which states that the insurer will cover you against certain losses. That's good, but the condition is that you have to keep up your premium payments and look after the property insured.

The Old Covenant

The old law of Moses was this kind of covenant. God said, "Now then, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation..." (Exo 19:5-6).

Moses pleaded with the children of Israel to "enter in to the covenant with the Lord your God and into his oath which the Lord your God is making with you today" (Deut 30:9-10,15-20). This covenant existed whether or not the people entered into it. They had a relationship with God, dictated by that covenant, whether they liked it or not. If they entered into the covenant they were friends with God. If they rebelled against the covenant, they were enemies of God.

The New Covenant

The new covenant is no different in this regard. It is a covenant of magnificent promises to those who keep its commandments, and dire warnings to those who don't. The covenant was instituted by God unilaterally. God did not negotiate it with man, he mediated it to man. However the covenant is not unconditional. It's outcome for each person (grace or wrath) is dependent on whether the person keeps it or disobeys it.

The covenant mediated by Christ is likened to a person's last will and testament granting an inheritance (Heb 9:15-17). The word "testament" is actually used here by some translators. God has written his will so that anyone can become heirs of God. His will promises certain blessings, stipulates certain conditions, and decrees the penalty for non-compliance.

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