DAY 8

WEEK 2 – God’s Covenants with Israel

He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations.

God Has Established an Everlasting Covenant with Israel

“And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7 RSV

God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” Genesis 17:19 RSV

God made a unique pact with His friend Abraham. He has established an everlasting covenant with him and his descendants, in which He promised to be their God. This covenant is transferred to Isaac, but Ishmael received a blessing as a son of Abraham.

God bound Himself to the sons of Jacob in a unique way. He became their God, and Israel became His people forever. His covenant is the red thread of His story with them. His faithfulness to His covenantal promises is the “why” behind the “what.”

God keeps rescuing and loving His people even when they rebel and repeatedly reject Him. His discipline is an integral part of His faithfulness. God will not let them go astray without calling them back to Him. He pursues His people and continually offers them a fresh start even after their stubborn disobedience. Even if God uses the rod of judgment against Israel temporarily, He persists in welcoming them back over and over again.

Prayer

Our Father,

We bless Your Holy Name. We praise You for your everlasting covenant with Israel. We are so grateful to see Your faithfulness generation after generation. You have been loyal to Israel. We can rely on Your fidelity toward us as we are part of the New Covenant. You will never give up on us. We worship You.

Open the eyes of Your Church worldwide to Your everlasting covenant with Israel. Let the Body of Christ see that the sons of Jacob have a unique place in Your heart because of Your covenant with Your friend Abraham. Lead the believers to pray for those You love.

Teach us to “read” Your discipline toward Israel as a manifestation of Your faithfulness. Help us to rightly interpret Your dealings with Your ancient covenantal people. Let us see that You keep pursuing them generation after generation.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.