There are tremendous differences between the Old and New Covenant. But Paul also tells us the stuff written before was written for our learning (Romans 15:4).
Therefore, there has to be some commonality between the covenants.
Making too big of a difference between the covenants leads to severe theological error.
Throughout the Bible God has wanted people to listen to Him. God loves us, He made us, we are His kids. He wants His kids to listen. Any parent knows inherently what this is like.
It breaks your heart when your kids reject your wisdom and go do dumb stuff, yet that’s what kids do. Hopefully they learn before doing themselves in.
God wants us to listen. Everything He’s ever done in relationship to us has been to get us to listen to Him.
Israel had a clear cut covenant: listen to God and everything will be great. Don’t listen to Him and everything will be terrible.
Israel rejected that covenant. Even during the time of the Major Prophets, when all the terrible was coming on them, they continued to be obstinate and not listen.
But to make it worse, not only did they not listen, they lied about how terrible it was!
Therefore I will give their wives to others, Their fields to new owners; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is greedy for gain; From the prophet even to the priest, Everyone practices deceit. They have healed the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.
–Jeremiah 8:10,11
All the terrible is dropping on them, instead of repenting, changing their ways and receiving God’s blessing, they turned to lying about it. Nah, it aint that bad. Peace peace, it’ll be fine.
One chapter later Jeremiah says:
Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing wrongdoing. Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.
–Jeremiah 9:5,6
The New Covenant does not carry physical curses and blessings. The New Covenant is primarily focused on the spiritual. So, how are we doing this same stupid thing in our day?
Many people are playing at Christianity. They do some churchy things, say some nice stuff, post a verse over a cute photo on Facebook. But their lives are a complete mess because they are not listening to God.
They are going through the motions. They are playing the game with no reality behind it. Their mouth says nice things about God, but there heart is nowhere near Him.
As their lives fall apart, as sin abounds, and sin’s terrible fruit comes home to roost, what does the church tell them?
Oh, it’s ok. You’re still saved. Remember when you were seven and you said the prayer? Don’t worry about it. Just remember God’s promises.
There’s no dealing with the sin, there’s no call to repentance. All they hear is “Peace, peace. Don’t worry about it. God loves you. You’ll still go to heaven because you did that thing that one time.”
This is the same stupid thing Israel did back then.
God wants you to listen to Him. He doesn’t want you sinning and living in lies that will destroy you.
Later in Jeremiah 9 we are told:
This is what the Lord says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.
–Jeremiah 9:23,24
Most people are playing a game with God. God is smarter than that; if you knew Him you would know that. You can’t lie your way out of reality. Reality and truth will always stand firm and your lies will break in pieces eventually.
Soothing and comforting and reminding people of promises that don’t apply to them will not help them on Judgment Day.
Saying pleasant thoughts and happy phrases over and over might make people feel good right now, but what will you do when you stand before God and His truth is brought before you?
The church is blowing this big time, just like Israel. It’s as if we aren’t even reading the Bible. Oh wait, we aren’t. We’re just going with the lies people tell us as we trip toward hell.
Enjoy the ride. The destination will be awful.
anti-itch meditation 