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“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
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The Covenant is not the law. It has never been the law. The Covenant is pure belief. It is God plus nothing. The Covenant is based solely on what God will do, not the law and the performing of the requirements of the law. THE COVENANT IS BASED ENTIRELY ON GRACE!
In Eden, God did not give laws. He communed directly with Adam and Eve. This wasn’t good enough for them. They wanted to participate or perform in their own way, thus they allowed themselves to be persuaded that knowledge would give them control of their own destiny. God separated Himself from Adam and Eve by expelling them out of Eden.
In Exodus 18, under Moses, the Hebrews were not content to be close to God, to have God so close in their presence, and to serve God under the Covenant. The Hebrews demanded “participation” and thus demanded that laws be set up that they could perform, and thus they would be able to control their own destiny. Although God gave in to their demands, this resulted in God’s distinct barrier separating Himself from the people under penalty of death.
In 1 Samuel 8, we see, again, that the Hebrews are not content with God; the laws that they demanded of God are no longer good enough. They told Samuel, “tell God we must have a king to rule over us, like all the other nations of the world.” Samuel is dismayed and feels that after all his years of service as judge appointed by God, he is being rejected. God tells Samuel, no, it’s not you that they are rejecting—it is Me.
When you read between the lines, the Hebrews are not asking for a wise ruler so they can draw closer to God. Instead, the Hebrews demanded a king to rule over them with external pomp and power, just like the world.
Samuel warns them that this isn’t in their best interest. That such a ruler would take of their servants, livestock, crops and land, sons and daughters in order to rule. “Yes,” they demand, “this is what we want.” Since the people are moving evermore toward being of the world and creating their own kingdom on earth, this creates even more division between the people and God.
When Barabbas, the insurrectionist and murderer, and Jesus, the Lamb of God, were brought before the throng of Jews and the Jews given a choice, following the examples of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they chose someone they thought would be a mighty warrior. They rejected the very presence of the Son of God, their Messiah, their Saviour. Again, the Jews sought to control their own destiny—to make their kingdom here on earth.
At this holy time of celebrating the victory of Jesus over eternal death and punishment, it is more imperative than ever to witness to the Jews and to gentiles. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. God is no respecter of persons. The claim of goodness or Abraham as father will not cover anyone’s sins and the kingdom built on this earth will pass away. Won’t you share God’s eternal kingdom now with your friends, your family, and neighbors? Jew or Gentile, we all need Jesus as Saviour to inherit God’s heavenly kingdom. Only believe.
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