Focus today is upon covenant and relationship with GOD. Also, there is more on how Moses engaged GOD “face to face.” An Internet writer using the ID “Smiley” (Level 1 with 249 points, a member since July 27, 2013) posted the following originally asked at Yahoo Answers United States:
Could someone please help me with this question is really important to me.?
how does God enter into a covenant relationship with his people??
THE BATTLE AXE: Face to Face Like Moses? (01/28/2014)—Often the language in Scripture that reports GOD appearing to a man upon the earth must be understood as saying that a person (e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Solomon, Isaiah) had a simple experience (e.g., a dream, a trance, a vision) wherein they suddenly became overwhelmed by, and were able to mentally, physically and spiritually grasp their own awareness of GOD. While they were permitted to hear and see incarnations, representations, and visions from GOD (e.g., the burning bush, the ladder from earth to heaven, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night), the person did not look upon or see Almighty GOD who exists entirely as spirit. GOD delivered the Ten Commandments “face to face” to the entire multitude who gathered with Moses at Sinai; and later appeared to a gathering of elders who would be endowed with a portion of the Spirit of Prophecy that resided within Moses. At no time did GOD project an image, a likeness, or a similitude of created beings and things that could be copied or used as ones personal idol in private worship. Being in personal relationship with GOD therefore meant maintaining continuous obedience and recognition of sacred law. Also, thorough knowledge and adherence to the public commandments and judgments also would be acknowledgment of the active presence of divinity. By the ministry of Jesus Christ, incarnation, judgments, law, prophecy, and more are brought together by baptism (we say, death and rebirth). Believers all receive a fresh endowment of the Spirit imparted to indwell mankind at Creation. It is this Spirit from GOD that amplifies and maintains their experience of divine presence, communion and fellowship with GOD. See Deuteronomy 5: 4, Deuteronomy 4: 11-13, Exodus 24: 9-11, Numbers 11: 24-29, Numbers 12: 8, Hosea 12: 10, 1st Corinthians 6: 19-20, Romans 8: 15-17 and 1st John 4: 12-13, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1st Peter 2: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sacrificial Relationships? (10/23/2013); Relationship by Unselfish Giving? (10/24/2013); Balaam (10/15/2013); About Sabbath (10/16/2013); Gentiles and the Law? (09/19/2013); According to This Word (09/20/2013); Vows and Covenants? (12/17/2012); The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); Why Did The Judges Fight? (10/19/2012); The Spirit is Willing (10/20/2012)
“Smiley”, here are a few points to consider that are important for Christian belief:
(1.) Covenant relationship and priesthood for mankind with divinity was first established in Adam (the single name given by GOD to the male and female that had been created). GOD affirmed the expression of faith displayed by the pair following the judgment against sin that had been pronounced upon the serpent. Adam hoped (i.e., expected) and trusted that GOD would bring to pass as a benefit for mankind all that was spoken against the deceiver. See Genesis 3: 14-15, King James Version.
(2.) In the Garden of Eden, Adam lost mankind’s initial status in relationship as one existing in favor only because newly created of GOD. Obedience by the pair was to emerge through acceptance, interaction, respect, and trust, rather than full knowledge of divine law, sacred process and eternal purpose. See 1st Timothy 2: 13-15, KJV.
(3.) Rightly understood, every covenant that appears in the Bible (for example, with Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, and Jesus Christ) may be seen as only a “contract modification”, or further development of the things first proclaimed by GOD as provisions for continuing all created beings and living creatures despite the appearance of sin through the serpent. See Jeremiah 31: 31-37 and Ephesians 2: 11-22, KJV.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) GOD establishes covenant by utterance (e.g., proclamation, promise, prophecy) as well as by sacred events to acknowledge praise and prayer. Mankind first was privileged to enter covenant by manifesting faith during judgment, then by performing atoning sacrifice. Now, covenant for mankind must be through the provisions of Jesus Christ: Redemption (service as living sacrifice) following baptism (death and rebirth) along with Salvation (atonement and mediation performed on mankind’s behalf). See Hebrews 12: 18-29, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. (Proverbs 21: 30, New International Version, NIV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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