Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 4/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Pastor,

In the Old Testament I believe that when God gave the children of Israel the Mosaic Law God said that it would be an everlasting covenant. Didn't God say that the laws He was giving them were to be everlasting? If this is the case, then why does the New Testament get rid of the old laws, and why is there a new covenant if the old covenant was supposed to be everlasting? God doesn't lie or contradict Himself, so why does this happen? God doesn't make mistakes, so why did He need a new covenant? Wasn't the old one good if God is the one who gave it and He doesn't make mistakes?

Josh

ANSWER: Hi Joshua,

Thanks for this great question.  You are right that God does not make mistakes and that He does not contradict Himself.  If the Old Covenant were made in order to get someone to heaven, then the New Covenant would be a conradiction... providing a different way to get to heaven.  The fact is, the Old Covenant was never designed to get anyone to heaven.  It was designed to prove that one needed something besides their own actions to get to heaven.  The Law was written as a diagnostic tool, pointing out someone's sin... it was not a transformation tool by itself.

Romans 3:19-25
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;   
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Since that is the case, the law has always functioned as a tool to point people to the Messiah.

Acts 10:43
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The New Covenant is now the fulfillment of what the Old Covenant pointed to.  Jesus Christ completes the whole story.  He does not change the story.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry Pastor,

But I don't feel that you really answered my question. The part of my question which I'm still unclear on is this: "In the Old Testament I believe that when God gave the children of Israel the Mosaic Law God said that it would be an everlasting covenant. Didn't God say that the laws He was giving them were to be everlasting?"

If the laws were to be everlasting, why are they now gone? Everlasting would mean that Jews would still have to follow them. When God said that the laws were to be everlasting one would think that they wouldn't change with the New Covenant, even if they were only a diagnostic tool.

ANSWER: Hello again Joshua,

Thank you so much for this follow up question.  You forced me to study the phrase "everlasting covenant".  I have learned quite a bit during my study.  The phrase is never used regarding the Mosaic covenant.  The phrase is referring to the covenant given to Abraham before the Law.  It referrs to God's people, Israel.  Here is what I can gather regarding this old covenant:

1.  It was offered exclusively to Abraham's seed, Israel.
2.  It was one way, God gave an unconditional promise of a covenant relationship.

Genesis 12:1-3


Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  There were signs of the fact that the people of Israel were God's covenant people.  The Sabbath was given as well as circumcision.  I believe that Jews still have the privelage to practice these things, not as a requirement for salvation, but as a sign of their covenant relationship to God.

Genesis 17:13,19
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


Leviticus 24:8
8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Most of the verses I found simply refer to God's special relationship to the people of Israel.  His relationship has not changed... He has made an everlasting covenant to deal with Israel as His chosen people.  To answer your question... the everlasting covenant is on of God's relationship to His people Israel.  The Old covenant deals with how they approached God, the new covenant opens salvation to be offered to the whole world.  The everlasting covenant seems to still be in place exclusively with Israel.

2 Samuel 23:5
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Psalm 105:9-10
9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.



Isaiah 55:3-5
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Isaiah 61:8-9
8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Jeremiah 32:40
40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ezekiel 16:60
60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ezekiel 37:25-27
25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps.  I know that you sharpened my understanding here.  

In Christ
Pastor Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pastor,

Thank you for your response. Does that mean that Israel still has to keep the Law of Moses?

Joshua

Answer
Hi Joshua,

Israel does not have to keep the law in order to obtain salvation, but certain aspects of the law such as keeping th Sabbath are there to show covenant distinction as God's chosen nation.  They have the privelage to wear that distinction proudly if they wish.  I am not certain how binding it is, but definately it is something they could do.  I am sorry but I am not absolutely certain about this subject.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don