Epaggelia

The Covenant made with Abraham in circumcision and with Moses in the law was RENEWED and RESTORED several times in the history of the Jews. Blood sealed the covenant in it’s initial announcement and in each renewal blood was present or nearby. Firstly of course every time a male child was circumcised and also every time the law was obeyed in making animal sacrifices. But of course, the act of circumcision was not always faithfully obeyed, and neither were the sacrifices consistently offered. Therefore the need to renew or restore the covenant was a reality with ancient Israel, suffering from rebellious sins, here are a few examples.

The first renewal was in Deuteronomy 31:24-30, led by Moses. Notice the Ark/Mercy Seat was present!

The second renewal was led by Joshua in 5:2-8 before they entered Canaan (where all men were circumcised) and again another renewal before his death in chapter 24.

Thirdly, King Josiah led a renewal of the covenant in 2Kings 23:2-3. Notice it took place in the Temple and then he reinstated the Passover, v21-23.

Fourthly and most likely the last renewal was led during the exile of Israelites from Babylon by Nehemiah,  after Ezra secured sacrifices to be offered in Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the Temple, Ez. 6:8-10, the renewal was completed in Neh. 9 & 10.  

Sporadically individuals restored the covenant they had with God in their sacrifices, (Psa. 50:5), showing throughout every renewal, blood was present and representing the priceless value of the covenant.

Once God’s covenanted promise was fulfilled, in Jesus, He provided and planned a constant renewal of the New Covenant in Jesus. The blood of Jesus is an eternal covenant, compare Mt. 26:28 with Isaiah 42:5-6.  We enter into an agreement of submission to the Lordship of Jesus by faith in His blood and victorious death (baptism, Romans 6:1-7) and in turn we receive the benefits of his blood, forgiveness & life in the heavenly city.  The renewal in a Christian’s life, is observed in the communion where it was first instituted, Mark 14:22-25 & Luke 22:14-22.  In John’s gospel the institution of the Lord’s supper is recorded in the context of the Passover supper where His betrayal is predicted and He teaches on love & service, prophesying the coming of the Comforting Holy Spirit of Christ (Jon. 13:2-16:33). Later, the first day of the week commemorates the resurrection, but the communion was established as Thursday turned into Friday. The reason we commemorate and renew His covenant of blood on a Sunday is because that was the day His resurrection proved the power of His blood, wherein eternal life resides. Do you believe this? If you do, you can enter into a covenant relationship with God, who is faithful to keep His promise of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus. Therein lay the motivation for us to always have a reason to rejoice in the Lord, Philippians 4:4. Rejoice and give thanks for His blood is always working and eternal, 1John 1:7.