Two covenants

Ezek. 34:22-31

INTRODUCTION:

1. 'everyone knows' that there are TWO covenants that make up the Bible - or do they? Still one of the problems we face in teaching people about Jesus.

2. This is a 'simple' lesson on the scriptural differences between the two.

3. We will take our text from Ezek. 34:22-31

   1.The problem of this section of Ezekiel - how to interpret!

   a.If all 'literal' - then serious problems of a mixing of the two covenants!

   b.Then, To what period does this apply?

   1.If to return from Babylon, then where is that covenant? Where was the 'prince'? Where was David?

   c.The principle parts of this covenant as outlined here:

   1.One shepherd

   a.Jesus the true shepherd, John 10:11, 1 Pet. 2:25, 5:4
   1. Is 'David' -
      a.Ezek. 37:24-25, David to be 'king' ? same problem, David here used to refer to the son of David - Jesus, Mt. 1:1, the king of kings,

   2. a new covenant - obviously, Moses made the 1st.

   3. a covenant of peace -

   4. a covenant of blessings - Eph. 1:3 - all spiritual blessings in Christ.

1. Parallel with Jer. 31:31-34.
   a.a New covenant -
   b.NOT like the one by Moses coming out of Egypt
   c.Law in inward part - which was NOT true of the old, which one entered by BIRTH, hence could be in covenant relationship and NOT care!
   d.New not 'taught' - because they were TAUGHT in order to UNDERSTAND and hence to be CONVERTED - all BEFORE they

   3.Quoted in Heb. 8 and again in Heb. 10.

   a.He IS the mediator of a BETTER covenant -
   b.Needed because of the sin of the people of the 1st covenant.
   c.Was between BOTH houses - Judah and Israel
   d.NOT like the OLD -
   e.When God said this, He declared the old to be OLD, and hence ready to vanish away -
   f.Repeated in Heb. 10:16-17, and there the emphasis is upon the forgiveness of sin by the NEW sacrifice and priesthood that are part of this New covenant.

2. It is this new covenant that we are sanctified by.
   a.Specifically stated - Heb. 10:6-10

   5.Some 'new' elements of this 'new covenant' would include:

   a.New temple -
   b.New sacrifice -
   c.New priesthood -
   d.New Day -
   e.New 'people' -

3. This covenant has been done away in order for the above to be true:
   a.Not have TWO covenants, TWO priesthoods, TWO sacrifice systems, etc.!
   b.Old NOT bring the forgiveness or blessings -
   c.Is by the SECOND that we are sanctified and blessed!

4. It is specifically said that the old has been done away with - Col. 2:12f