Getting a "Grip" on Covenant

It is time we Gentiles learn that the whole of the Scriptures have been written for our benefit “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the [Old Testament] Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

A principal reason for studying the writings of the Old Testament prophets is to learn of the nature and character of God which “changes not”.  Also, study of  the “Torah”, the first five books of the Bible, yields clear understanding of the nature of “covenant” which defines the believer’s relationship with Jehovah God which began with Abraham and was “updated” in Jesus’ death and resurrection (a “new” covenant).One cannot fully appreciate what took place with Jesus’ dying on the Cross apart from covenantal understandings. 

 It’s not enough to say Jesus was the sinless, Son of God, Who died for our sins and rose again, powerful enough as that is, but apart from Israel’s having a covenant relationship with God, what would Jesus’ death have availed?  Nothing, absolutely nothing!  Heretical as this may sound, it simply points out the monumental nature of the covenant relationship; it provided the context and meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is why Jesus could say to the Samaritan Woman, “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).