Read Deuteronomy 28, 29, 30

A covenant is an agreement (similar to a contract) between two parties and involves promises on the part of each to the other. The concept of a covenant between God and His people is one of the central themes of the Bible. At Mount Sinai, the children of Israel entered into a covenant with God, through the Law given to Moses. Under the Law, the question of personal sin must be continually met by sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-3). Later, it pleased God to create in Joshua (Jehoshua means Jehovah-Saviour) a wonderful picture of Christ as Deliverer and Leader (2Corinthians 1:10; Hebrews 2:10). God also instituted a new office in Israel, that of Judge, through whom God could work in grace.

The children of Israel were to receive the lessons of the Law, learn the conditions of blessing in the land (Deuteronomy 28, 29), and understand the consequences of disobedience. Their disobedience of the Law led to punishment in the land through droughts, famines, and diseases, and eventually led to the casting out and dispersion of the people.

1. The covenant prelude
   • Deuteronomy 29:1 - "These are the words of the covenant"
   • Deuteronomy 29:2-19 - "That thou shouldest enter into the covenant with the Lord thy God"
2. The covenant declared
   1. Dispersion for disobedience
      • Deuteronomy 29:28 - "And the Lord rooted them out of their land"
      • Deuteronomy 30:1 - "When all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse"
   2. The repentance of dispersed Israel
      • Deuteronomy 30:2 - "And shalt return... and shalt obey." This is not yet conversion to Christ, but repentance for sin and a heartfelt return to Jehovah.
   3. The second coming of Christ
      • Deuteronomy 30:3 - "And will return"
      • Amos 9:9-14 - "Raise up the tabernacle of David"
      • Acts 15:16,17 - "After this I will return, and will build up the tabernacle of David"
   4. Restoration of Israel to the land
      • Deuteronomy 30:5 - "Bring thee into the land"
      • Isaiah 11:11,12 - "The Lord shall... gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth"
   5. The conversion of Israel
      • Deuteronomy 30:6 - "God will circumcise thine heart"
      • Hosea 2:14-19 - "I will betroth thee unto Me for ever"
      • Romans 11:26,27 - "Turn away ungodliness"
   6. The judgment of Israel's oppressors
      • Deuteronomy 30:7 - "Upon... them... which persecuted thee"
      • Isaiah 14:2 - "Israel... shall rule over their oppressors"
   7. National prosperity
      • Deuteronomy 30:9 - "God will make the plenteous"
      • Amos 9:11 - "I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old"

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