Category: Abrahamic Covenant

Spiritual Calligraphy #3

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:3 KJV).

What can today’s Scripture teach us about spiritual calligraphy?

Shortly after the Great Flood, the nations gathered around the Tower of Babel in heathen/pagan-idol worship. Genesis chapter 11 continues: “[5] And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. [6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. [7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. [8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. [9] Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”

With Abraham’s justification (salvation) and call in Genesis chapter 12, a drastic change in the LORD God’s dealings with mankind transpires: “[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

By isolating Abraham from the rest of the world’s people, the LORD God was in no way uncaring toward them. JEHOVAH God had the nations, the “families of the earth,” in mind here with this Abrahamic Covenant (note verse 3). Abraham would be the progenitor of one nation, then God would give His words to (and bless) that one nation, and finally that one nation would be His channel of salvation and blessing to the world’s nations (Gentiles). This nation of Abraham is Israel, the Jewish people….

God’s Perfect Timing

Sunday, December 17, 2023

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4,5 KJV).

As today’s Scripture indicates, the birth of Jesus Christ was no accident—God planned its exact moment from eternity past.

When God placed the first man, Adam, on earth, He purposed that man would “subdue [control] it,” to “have dominion” over it and everything on it (Genesis 1:28). Nevertheless, Adam sinned by joining Satan in his rebellion against God. Because of sin, man was now unable to accomplish on earth what God originally created him to do. God left the human race a promise, however, that there would come a Man, who would do what Adam failed to do. Instead of cooperating with God’s adversary like Adam had, this “seed of the woman” would “bruise [Satan’s] head” (Genesis 3:15).

Traveling up through the Scriptures, we see how God lays the groundwork for that seedline. In Genesis 12:1-3, or 2,000 years after Adam’s sin, we read God’s covenant with Abraham, that through Abraham a nation, Israel, will be born, and salvation and blessing will flow to the Gentiles through Israel. The seed of the woman becomes the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, and 1,000 years after Abraham, we read of God’s covenant with King David, that “his seed” will inherit his throne and reign forever. The seed of the woman and of Abraham becomes the seed of David.

About 1,000 years after David, Matthew 1:1 speaks of Christ’s birth, and declares, “…Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” This is exactly what God had promised for thousands of years!

Jesus Christ’s birth was not some haphazard event of nature. God the Father had preplanned the exact moment of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Over a period of some 4,000 years, the three members of the Godhead worked to bring about the birth of man’s Redeemer, a plan they had even before man was created! Amazing!

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks #3

Sunday, December 10, 2023

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13,14 KJV).

The fifth verse and the final verse of the classic Christmas carol paraphrase today’s Scripture.

“Thus spake the angel and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
‘All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease.’”

People who know nothing about the Bible carelessly complain that the God of the Old Testament was a “bigot.” They dislike that He dealt almost exclusively with Israel, having almost no dealings with Gentiles. Additionally, they whine that Jesus was a “racist” because He said that His earthly ministry was limited to Israel (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24). What fools and blasphemers!

When JEHOVAH promised Abraham that He would make of him a great nation, that nation was to be the channel of God’s salvation and blessing to reach all the world’s (Gentile) nations. “…[I]n thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Rebuking ignorant Nicodemus, Jesus said of Israel’s earthly kingdom: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus also said, “…[R]epentance and remission of sins should be preached in [my] name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). He told His apostles to baptize and teach “all nations” (Matthew 28:19). God was dealing with and converting Israel, that redeemed Israel go to all nations on His behalf when Jesus became their King!!! Read Zechariah 8:20-23 and Isaiah 60:1-3 (yet future).

Hence, the angels sang at Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” God wanted everyone—“good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (verse 10)—to have a relationship with Him in Israel’s kingdom. Of course, Israel’s kingdom is still future. Romans 11:11-13 says salvation is coming to us Gentiles without Israel, through Paul’s ministry and Paul’s Gospel (Christ’s finished crosswork).

NOTE: I want to say a special “Happy Birthday” to my Mom, who will no doubt read this. Thank you for being faithful to Father God in leading me to Jesus Christ and teaching me the Scriptures all those years ago! 🙂

The Last State is Worse Than the First #9

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26 KJV).

Who is this man? Why is his last state worse than his first?

In the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), the focus is on God’s work to make a “great nation” of childless Abraham. When Abraham was old and well beyond the age of fathering a child—not to mention his wife, Sarah, too advanced in years to be a biological mother—the LORD performed a miracle and enabled them to have a son, Isaac (Genesis 17:1-7,15-21; Genesis 21:1-5). This was despite the fact Abraham and Sarah had schemed to use a surrogate, Sarah’s slave girl Hagar, to carry another child of Abraham (Ishmael) more than a decade earlier (Genesis 16:1-16). Abraham had to learn the nation Israel would be the product of grace (God’s gift/miracle), not law (Abraham’s performance/work). Note it well: the LORD does not accept substitutes!!

When the LORD God offered Israel the Mosaic Covenant—the Law—the Israelites recently freed from Egyptian bondage agreed to enter works-religion (more slavery!). Deceived, they believed they could perform to produce the nation God wanted (Exodus 19:3-6). They boasted, “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” (verse 8). Nevertheless, they did not do everything God commanded, which led to Satan and his angels possessing and corrupting them (see today’s Scripture). The Law proved, once and for all, they could not make themselves God’s nation in the Earth. As it was true with Isaac (God’s work, not man’s), so it was true with the nation descending from Isaac (God’s work, not man’s).

After Jesus Christ comes back to reign in the Earth, Israel will be purged of Satan’s pollutions and then filled with God’s life, finally becoming that channel of salvation and blessing to the Gentiles as the LORD intended with Abraham so long ago….

God’s Profaned Name #10

Thursday, August 17, 2023

“And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23 KJV).

How was God’s great name “profaned among the heathen?” In what way will He “sanctify” it?

Today’s Scripture is definitely part of the prophetic program. It involves God’s purpose and plan for Israel and the Earth. The Holy Spirit comments on how the nation Israel in time past abandoned the identity that their Creator gave them. They were not reflections of the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Despite their infidelity, He, in the ages to come, will be faithful in bringing to pass His original promise to them. They are to be His vessels to reach the Gentiles when the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to reign.

What about us, the Church the Body of Christ? Can we profane God’s name? Yes, we can. If we are not careful to walk in our identity in Christ, as described in Romans to Philemon, we can misrepresent Him as Israel did long ago. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

If what we say and do is incompatible with all that the Lord Jesus would say and do (His “name”), then non-Christians will see and hear conflicting information. Our misconduct will become the scoffer’s principle: “I am not a Christian and never want to be a Christian because ‘Christians’ lead a worse life than I do as a non-Christian.” It will be similar to ancient Israel’s detractors: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written” (Romans 2:24). “If that nonsense is what it means to be a worshipper of JEHOVAH God, we will keep our idols and die as heathen!”

As we (the Body of Christ) seek to avoid Israel’s disasters, we bear in mind passages such as Philippians 1:9-11 and Philippians 2:13-16. “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).

God’s Profaned Name #9

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

“And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23 KJV).

How was God’s great name “profaned among the heathen?” In what way will He “sanctify” it?

Defining His Kingdom Constitution—the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7)—Christ addressed His Jewish believing remnant (the Little Flock) with this exhortation: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

He was drawing from Isaiah 60:1-3, a prophecy about His Second Coming and subsequent Kingdom: “Arise, shine; for thy [Israel’s] light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Take notice also of Isaiah 59:20,21 (cf. Romans 11:26,27).

The LORD’S original purpose and plan for the nation Israel finally comes to pass, as the New Covenant erases their sin debt accumulated under the Old Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Acts 3:19-21; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 9:11-17; Hebrews 10:1-22). Here is the goal of the prophetic program. Israel is now qualified to be blessed as per the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3, and able to be a channel of salvation and blessing to all the world. The “heathen” (nations, Gentiles) of today’s Scripture will look at redeemed Israel and see light (ages to come) instead of darkness (time past). Filled with God’s Spirit and life, Israel will impart His knowledge to the Gentiles, resulting in worldwide revival (see Zechariah 8:20-23)!

Now, as touching the mystery program and us the Church the Body of Christ, let us consider if we can “profane” God’s name….

God’s Profaned Name #8

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

“And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23 KJV).

How was God’s great name “profaned among the heathen?” In what way will He “sanctify” it?

The Law of Moses cannot grant a sinner the power to keep it any more than a mirror can beautify the hideous person looking into it (check Romans 3:19,20 and 1 John 3:4). Via the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3, the LORD purposed to create a people for Himself, but that nation decided to make themselves presentable to Him and accepted the Mosaic Covenant of Exodus 19:3-8.

Indeed, grace was tossed aside and works-religion was taken up in its place. Sinners actually declared they could be as perfect as God, that they were able to produce a nation that could be just as useful to Him as a nation He Himself would make. While senseless as it sounds, it did happen at Mount Sinai. Moreover, billions today are repeating the transgression—ignoring God’s righteousness (Calvary) and going about to establish their own righteousness. “I want to work for my trip to Heaven! If I am not going there after all the ‘good’ things I have done, no one is going there!”

As touching Israel’s kingdom restoration under the New Covenant, yet future from us, see The (oft-misunderstood) “Our Father” Prayer: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13). This connects to today’s Scripture, when the LORD fills sinful Israel with His very Spirit, life, and glory, and all the nations (who saw nothing but wickedness and darkness in Israel in time past) finally witness the LORD glorified through His earthly people….

God’s Profaned Name #7

Monday, August 14, 2023

“And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23 KJV).

How was God’s great name “profaned among the heathen?” In what way will He “sanctify” it?

The Bible states “the law [of Moses]… was added because of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19). It was in force for over 1,500 years (Moses to Paul) to prove to the Jewish people that, if they were to be God’s favored nation in the Earth, it would be only (!) because of His goodness and His performance (grace)—not their goodness and their performance (law). They were not “good” and thus could not perform! Galatians 3:15-23 explains how the Law was to point them (and us) to the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Our failure to meet the perfect standard of the Law indicates we are sinners: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin…. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;…” (Romans 3:19,20,23). See also 1 Timothy 1:8-10.

Learning the lesson of the Law, a believing remnant in Israel—the Messianic Church—trusted Jesus as Christ/Saviour during the time of Matthew to John. They recognized that, ultimately, the nation Israel who would serve God would result from the original covenant, the Abrahamic Covenant (grace) of Genesis 12:1-3, as opposed to the Mosaic Covenant (law) that was added later because of unbelief in the Abrahamic Covenant.

“Hallowed [Sanctified, made holy] be thy name” (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2)—one of the petitions of the so-called “Lord’s Prayer,” but better titled “The ‘Our Father’ Prayer”—is the Messianic Church praying in response to their Jewish ancestors’ profanation of the LORD’S name (see today’s Scripture). These saints are they who want God to make them His kingdom of priests in the Earth, which again loops to the LORD sanctifying His name as foretold in Ezekiel’s prophecy….

Lawful Advice from Asa’s Life #3

Sunday, June 4, 2023

“And [King Asa] commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment” (2 Chronicles 14:4 KJV).

What lawful advice can be gleaned from King Asa’s life?

In Genesis 12:1-3, we read of the Abrahamic Covenant: “[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This agreement depended solely on what God would do for Abraham (grace), not what Abraham would do for God (law). Abraham would not make a great nation for God. God would make a great nation of Abraham.

Unfortunately, when Israel exited Egypt under Moses centuries later, they chose to abandon God’s grace and make themselves His people (law). Exodus chapter 19: “[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. [7] And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. [8] And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”

Asa knew Israel’s legal obligation to JEHOVAH God, and he wanted Israel to be well aware of it also….

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

God’s Perfect Timing

Saturday, December 17, 2022

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4,5 KJV).

As today’s Scripture indicates, the birth of Jesus Christ was no accident—God planned its exact moment from eternity past.

When God placed the first man, Adam, on earth, He purposed that man would “subdue [control] it,” to “have dominion” over it and everything on it (Genesis 1:28). Nevertheless, Adam sinned by joining Satan in his rebellion against God. Because of sin, man was now unable to accomplish on earth what God originally created him to do. God left the human race a promise, however, that there would come a Man, who would do what Adam failed to do. Instead of cooperating with God’s adversary like Adam had, this “seed of the woman” would “bruise [Satan’s] head” (Genesis 3:15).

Traveling up through the Scriptures, we see how God lays the groundwork for that seedline. In Genesis 12:1-3, or 2,000 years after Adam’s sin, we read God’s covenant with Abraham, that through Abraham a nation, Israel, will be born, and salvation and blessing will flow to the Gentiles through Israel. The seed of the woman becomes the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, and 1,000 years after Abraham, we read of God’s covenant with King David, that “his seed” will inherit his throne and reign forever. The seed of the woman and of Abraham becomes the seed of David.

About 1,000 years after David, Matthew 1:1 speaks of Christ’s birth, and declares, “…Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” This is exactly what God had promised for thousands of years!

Jesus Christ’s birth was not some haphazard event of nature. God the Father had preplanned the exact moment of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Over a period of some 4,000 years, the three members of the Godhead worked to bring about the birth of man’s Redeemer, a plan they had even before man was created! Amazing!