Posts

Covenant Theology FAQ - Part 1

6  But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.  7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8  For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9   not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10   For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israelafter those days, declares the Lord:I will put my laws into their minds,and write them on their hearts,and I will be their God,and they shall be my people. 11   And they shall not t...

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Esau Revisited

Pay attention to Genesis 33 & the story of Jacob & Esau.       It’s the basis of the story  of the Prodigal Son .   Jacob, at a young age, obtains his birthright (via illicit means) & winds up in sorting sheep (slopping pigs) in a far away land (Uncle Laban’s house) returns home & is met by Esau (the Prodigal’s father.     Gifts are exchanged (the ring, turban, etc), $ all is well.       Sometime later Edom (the brother who stayed behind), ie Esau’s offspring, but not Esau himself, gets angry & the LORD cuts them down to size just like the father in the story cut his angry son down to size.     How is it that we all understand the Prodigal Son’s father to be a godly man like Jethro but somehow Esau isn’t understood that way?  It’s so simple, a child can understand it. 

Ezekiel 18 & Corporate Guilt

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  13  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  14  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  15  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  16  that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  17  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.  ( Hebrews 12:12–17 , ESV) Sometimes people read this text & assume that it means that Esau never repented.  From time to time, they even say that when Esau died, he didn’t know the LORD.  Is that at all true?   No, it isn’t, & here...

Tackling Tradition 65: Esau & Repentance

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16  that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.  ( Hebrews 12:12–17 , ESV) Sometimes people read this text & assume that it means that Esau never repented.  From time to time, they even say that when Esau died, he didn’t know the LORD.  Is that at all true?   No, it isn’t, & here’s why… First, let’s look at H...