Covenant of Redemption #1
In our previous essay, we noted that God makes two types of covenants ‑ conditional and unconditional covenants. We also noted that the covenant of redemption as stated in Rom. 8:28‑30 is an unconditional covenant, i.e., there are no conditions placed on man, but God is responsible for carrying out all the actions in that covenant.
Before we study each of the actions in the covenant of redemption listed in Rom. 8:28‑30, let us look at an old testament passage that teaches us about the covenant of redemption. This passage is found in II Sam. 23:1‑7. This passage begins by telling us that the words that follow are the last words of David. Then it tells us that though the words were spoken by David as his last words, that he was just a mouth‑piece for the Holy Spirit, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me and his word was in my tongue.” In other words the words spoken were actually the words of the Holy Spirit with David being used as a mouth‑piece!
Next, in verse 3 we are told that the Holy Spirit is relating to us a conversation between the “God of Israel” and the “Rock of Israel:” “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me…” Thus in this conversation the Rock of Israel spake to the God of Israel and what followed were the words which the “Rock of Israel” spake to the “God of Israel.” I Cor. 10:4 tells us that the “Rock of Israel” is “Christ:” “…for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” Therefore the words that followed in II Sam. 23:3‑7 were the words of Christ, the Rock of Israel, to God, the Father, the God of Israel.
In verses, three and four Christ set forth his own requirements to rule as King. Then beginning with verse 5 He relates to us provision of the covenant of redemption. First He says, “Although my house be not so with God…” The Lord’s house was composed of sinners. They stood before God condemned by sin. They were not righteous or worthy of eternal glory. Next Christ said “yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant…” Now we see that this covenant was between Christ and God the Father. The covenant was not made with man. While the family of God is embraced by this covenant, they are not parties to this covenant.
The Lord went further and said “ordered in all things and sure…” This covenant between God the Father and God the Son covered all the details. There was nothing left to chance. This covenant is SURE. All the provisions will be carried out just as God ordained them.
In addition, the Lord went on: “for this is all my salvation…” This salvation is a salvation that the Lord performs as stated in Matt. 1:21, “he shall save his people from their sins.” Notice that when Christ said “all my salvation” that this statement excludes the works of men in bringing it about. It is “all” of the Lord. The Lord went on to say “and all my desire…” God always accomplishes his will: he is never frustrated or disappointed with anything he sets out to do.
Again the Lord said further, “Although he make it not to grow.” This covenant neither increases nor decreases in scope or coverage. It results in all its provisions being carried out to its fulfillment and embraces in the end all those who were embraced in the beginning. It neither grows nor diminishes.
Next in v.6 the Lord said, “But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands.” The sons of Belial are representative of our sins. The fact that they cannot be taken with hands illustrates our helplessness in attempting to do any thing to save ourselves from sin. All of our works are as filthy rags before God. Finally, the Lord said, “But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.” Who was it that was “fenced with iron and the staff of a spear?” It was Jesus who was nailed to the cross with iron nails thru his hands and his feet and who at the end had a spear driven thru his side. It was he and he alone that could deliver and did deliver us from our sins. Fire is a figure of God’s judgment found often in the scriptures. In the same place where Christ was crucified were our sins utterly burned with the fire of God’s judgment. They were completely burned with “fire in the same place.” Since our sins were utterly burned, then there is nothing left for the sinner to do to be made righteous before God’s bar of justice. According to this everlasting covenant of redemption Christ has delivered us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. He has delivered us from our sins. Praise be to his Holy name.
In our next essay we will begin to look at the provisions of the covenant of redemption listed for us in Rom. 8:28‑30.