Page 19 - Advanced OT Survey Revised
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in order to obtain grace but rather, they were asked to obey because God had
already acted on their behalf. He promised they would keep the land and
enjoy the fruit of the land if they continued in obedience (blessings) and curses
if they disobeyed. Like every suzerain God also stipulated his ordinances to his
new vassal or what we call the Ten Commandments represented by two
tablets. Again, a ratification ceremony was also performed (Exodus 24:5-8) to
finalize the covenant.
Theological Significance
The mosaic covenant was a shadow of the true covenant found in Christ Jesus. Moses as prophet and
priest is a type of Christ on behalf of His People. The tabernacle is also a very important symbol of God’s
desire to cohabit with mankind. Christ appearance and His name “Emmanuel” is a clear indication of
God’s desire to dwell with mankind and restore the broken relationship. However, the restrictions in the
law denote the separation between man and God. The sacrifices are also a shadow of the permanent
atonement of Christ. Thus, the mosaic covenant more than any other covenant is a great parallel of the
new covenant in Christ.
DAVIDIC COVENANT
The Davidic covenant like the Abrahamic is also a “royal grant”. God
was rewarding his servant’s faithfulness with an everlasting dynasty.
(2 Samuel 7) The basic element to this covenant was continued
obedience. God required that the descendants of David should
continue being loyal in order for them to enjoy God’s goodness.
Theological Significance
2 Samuel 7:14 is very critical to Israel’s theocratic covenant. As mentioned earlier, God’s response to
covenant disloyalty remains the same. He demands continued obedience. Failure to comply resulted in
oppression from their enemies. David is also a type of Christ. David’s obedience to God as a king chosen
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by God was foreshadowing Christ’s complete obedience to the father, even to death on a cross.
(Philippians 2:10). The promise of an everlasting kingship was also foreshadowing the eternal everlasting
kingdom of Christ to come or messianic hope. David as a just and righteous ruler was reflecting the
eternal everlasting Kingdom of the King of kings and Lord of lords, our Lord Jesus Christ.
NEW COVENANT
The Jews had a wrong concept of the coming child of David. They anticipated
a physical deliverance, but the Messiah was focused on their deliverance
from the bondage of sin. Mathew 3:13-17 is a first symbolism of the new
covenant. Jesus is being baptized by the last prophet of the Mosaic order
(symbolism of oil). Like the custom entails, this king is chosen and anointed
publicly and here we see the heavens open and a voice from heaven says this
is my beloved son. Indicating (Ps 2:7), “this is the one.” This is indeed the new covenant because the
long-awaited King is being anointed publicly.
Theological Significance
As mentioned earlier, the Jewish expectation of the Messiah was now being fulfilled even though the
Messiah was somehow not according to their expectation. Jesus is the fulfillment of (2 Samuel 7) the
one who would be seated on David’s throne. His name “Emmanuel” is also a symbolism of God’s
cohabitation with mankind like in the Old Testament, tabernacle. This time God is no longer in the
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