The Broken Covenant

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Early in my Christian walk, I learned that the New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New. Today’s study is one of many examples of the truth of this statement. 

Reading the Book of Revelation comes with its own blessings. And in the final chapter, there are warnings: 

1. Anyone adding to God’s words would result in the plagues of Egypt being added to that person’s life. 
2. Anyone taking away (deleting) the words of this prophecy, will have their name removed out of the Lamb’s Book of Life. 

When I first read these two verses (Rev. 22:18, 19 and Deuteronomy 4:1-2), I could not help but think that God takes the importance of His Word in my life really seriously. After reading and studying His Word since then, I realize that my original thoughts on this subject were a gross understatement.

In Genesis 1 - 2, God tells us of His Creative acts, but more importantly, He is giving instructions to Adam and Eve. His two newly created humans were brand-spankin’ new! Think of it: no experience, no memories, no frame of reference for anything that they saw around them! Knowing this, God instructed, advised, and counseled them. What we can deduce from this is quite simple. God never meant for us to exist without His Word, without His counsel. 

In Exodus and Deuteronomy, we find the written record of God giving His Ten Commandments the Israelites. Looking at them all, we see that the first three put parameters on our relationship with God, and the other seven instruct on how to live in this world with our fellow man, and the things they might possess. The Ten Commandments are the Mosaic Covenant, Laws passed to Moses, to teach and help the Israelites how to apply them to their daily lives. God even prioritizes them for us, but all are vitally important.

Moses taught them. The Prophets expounded on the consequences of breaking them. And God’s Word became flesh, and He dwelt among us to teach, instruct, and exemplify the Counsel of the Father.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16