Biblical Studies / Covenants

  • The Centrality of Passover

    Numbers 9:1–14

    The importance of the Passover to the life of the old covenant people of God should clue us in on the centrality of the new covenant sacraments to the Christian life. These ordinances are not to be neglected but are ...Read More

  • The Lord’s Passover

    Exodus 12:1–32

    Though not himself a Christian, Lord Alfred Tennyson captures the pervasiveness of sin in his poem “The Holy Grail”: “In me lived a sin / So strange, of such a kind, that all of pure, / Noble and knightly in me twined ...Read More

  • The Day of Atonement

    Leviticus 16

    The requirement for the people to afflict themselves on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29–34), a shorthand reference to self-examination and repentance, was a clear sign that the sacrifices on that day would be effectual only when the ...Read More

  • Cleansing the Temple

    2 Chronicles 29

    Hezekiah’s sin offerings did not effect the cleansing the people needed, but we can still learn much from his zeal to restore true worship. The most important reformation that ever takes place in the life of the church is ...Read More

  • The Sin Offering

    Leviticus 4:1–5:13

    That an intentional sin is not always a high-handed sin is seen in God’s willingness to forgive sins that were clearly intentional (2 Sam. 11–12). Only those who are unconverted may sin with a high hand, for a ...Read More

  • The Grain Offering Restored

    Joel 2:12–27

    God’s prophetic word to Israel is a word for us this day: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). Even if we feel like we have fallen too far for ...Read More

  • The Grain Offering

    Leviticus 2

    As we have seen, there are many layers to the grain offering. This offering emphasizes the need to dedicate ourselves to the Lord and provide for the work of the clergy. It also encourages us to recognize that all we ...Read More

  • With God on the Mountain

    Exodus 24:1–11

    Worship, especially the Lord’s Supper, is always an occasion for covenant renewal. John Calvin writes that “the covenant, which he once sanctioned by his blood he in a manner renews, or continues, in so far as regards the confirmation ...Read More

  • The Peace Offering

    Leviticus 7:11–21

    The spontaneous expressions of gratitude portrayed in Israel’s peace offerings remind us that we should never forget or take lightly the peace we have with our Lord. Being called and justified, each time we think on the truth that ...Read More

  • The Burnt Offering

    Leviticus 1

    Knowing that God is so holy that He must execute His wrath encourages us to see that no wrong will escape His judgment. Knowing that God is so merciful that He allows a substitute to bear His wrath in our ...Read More

  • An Eternal Covenant with David

    Psalm 89:19–37

    We are not waiting for Christ to sit on David’s throne, for He is reigning now in all His glory. One day that glory will be plainly visible to all. Because He is ruling over all, we can be ...Read More

  • Expelled from the Land

    Leviticus 18:24–30

    Unrepentant sin against the Creator disturbs the creation itself. Though we cannot know today when a natural disaster is a sign of divine judgment, we can proclaim to all people that they will suffer a worse fate unless they turn ...Read More

  • The Promised Land

    Deuteronomy 8:7–10

    In Romans 1:18–32, Paul locates humanity’s most basic sin in our refusal as fallen creatures to honor God “or give thanks to him.” Lack of gratitude for all of God’s blessings is the first step toward ...Read More

  • The Abrahamic Blessing

    Galatians 3:1–9

    Apart from Christ we were without hope in this world, but in Him we will inherit the very best our God has to offer. Understanding this truth should make us long for the day when He returns to consummate His ...Read More

  • Fulfiling the Law

    Romans 13:8–10

    Matthew Henry comments on love, saying “more is implied than is expressed; it not only does no harm, but it does all the good that may be.” The kind of love that fulfills the Law is active and not just ...Read More