God’s Grace in the Old Testament (Study 4 in a series of 7) The Promise key as God’s Covenant Love

The key to unlocking the grace of God in the Old Testament comes when we understand the biblical concept of promise. It is because of God’s covenant love for us that he promises to save and protect us. This is a demonstration of his grace.

Over recent weeks we have looked at ‘promise’, & ‘blessing’. Last time we looked at ‘covenant’. These are some of many aspects of the central key of promise in the Old Testament.

Covenants are agreements which bind two parties together. Furthermore, covenants between people in the ANE had religious content. The most significant examples of covenants in the Bible are those between God and his people.

We asked the questions “what sort of covenants do we have today?” And, “how are they binding?” We also looked at what covenants do.

There were several OT words used to describe the making of a covenant.

*God would ‘cut’ (kārat̠) a covenant (Genesis 15:9-18) with Abraham as Abraham had ‘cut’ the sacrifices (15:10). *He would ‘give’ / ‘grant’ (nāt̠an) (NIV = confirm) his covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-2).

*God would ‘establish’ (hēqȋm) an everlasting covenant that would bless Abraham’s descendants through Isaac. (17:4-8, 19-22). *The Lord would ‘swear’ (nišba‘) a covenant with Abraham (22:15-18), that his family would be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the beach.

*In David’s last words he affirms that the Lord can ‘set down’ (śȋm) a covenant (2 Samuel 23:3-5). *The Lord reminded Joshua that He did ‘command’ (șiwwâ) a covenant that needed to be enforced (Joshua 7:10-12).

The covenants God made were with individuals or groups of people.

The covenant that God made to Noah, sealed with a rainbow, was to the world; while the covenant with Abram was God’s promise to one man. But the covenant that God made through Moses (the Law) was his promise for the whole nation of Israel.

The new covenant that God has made through Jesus benefits the whole world.

In the business world, if a covenant was broken by either party, there were usually dire consequences for the one who broke it. But, in the Bible, God keeps the covenants he makes with his people. But always, the ones with whom God makes his covenant, break their part. Yet, God’s covenant always contains mercy.

We shared how God’s people benefit from the covenants that the Lord made with them.

The old covenant is ratified by the blood of sacrificed animals.

The new covenant is ratified by the blood of Jesus.

We shared how God’s new covenant is of benefit to us.

This time we will look at the concept of God’s covenant love, as a symbol of grace in the Old Testament.

How might the love God has for us differ from the love we might show towards him and one another?

‘Love’ in the Bible has many and various dimensions, just like our modern society. These include: compassion, delight, graciousness, desire, sexual love, family love, friendship, & loyalty.

In the OT, Israel experienced God’s love that surpassed human capabilities. This divine love sought a loving response that included love for one’s neighbour (fellow Jews).

The words in the Old Testament used to describe God’s love are the same words used to describe human love. The most common OT verb for love is ’āhab (and its related noun forms) = love between a man and a woman (Genesis 29:18; 1 Samuel 1:5).

There is the term raḥamim = mercy, compassion (Genesis 43:30)

There is another term, ḥašaq = to be lovingly attached to (Genesis 34:8).

Other terms, yādîd and dôd = beloved, lover (Psalm 84:1; Song of Solomon 6:1-3).

The term ḥāpheṣ = to delight in (1 Samuel 18:22)

Another term is ḥānan = to favour, to take pity (Job 19:21).

But, the most important OT word for love occurs 245 times. It embraces several qualities all at once: ḥesed = covenant love, loving kindness, graciousness, steadfastness & loyalty.

The term ḥesed indicates a deep, long lasting relationship, which is beyond just admiration. For example, the promise of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7: 11b-16; see v15) highlights God’s covenant love to David and Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24-25).

In Deuteronomy 7:6-8, the complete basis of God’s relationship with his people, Israel, as a covenant relationship, is because of love (ḥesed). God chose Israel to be his people. Israel’s election was unearned and undeserved. It came only because of God’s generous and gracious love.

This portrait of love is deepened in Hosea 11. The depth of God’s generous and gracious ḥesed is demonstrated in his fatherly care (v1), his unrelenting patience (v2), his nurture & healing (v3), his freedom and provision (v4), his abundant mercy (v8-9), & his undeserved kindness (11b).

What are some more words or phrases we might use to talk about 'love‘?

So, the love that God has revealed to his people in the OT period is both a demonstration of God’s own nature, and a promise of how he wants to treat every one who calls on his name.

How might we experience more of God’s love?

Next time we hope to look at the concept of ‘prophetic predictions’, as a symbol of grace in the Old Testament.

© 10 th October 2011, K. Sarlow