Keeping Covenant

Passover is about three weeks away, so I've been finding myself contemplating the word "Covenant," as in everlasting covenant or "forever."  Setting aside all the date debates, because that is part of the tradition for some folks, I have been considering the agreements struck between Pharaoh and Moses through the plagues in seeking greater understanding of this Passover Covenant.  When I looked up the word, covenant, the first definition was "a formal agreement."  

As we consider just what it is to be in covenant or to make a formal agreement, the first thing to consider, is the fact this arrangement of covenant or agreement is two sided.  Throughout the plagues, from the second one, of frogs, Pharaoh gave Moses his word that he would let the people go, if Moses could get G-d to stop the plague . . . Yet every time, the plague would subside, Pharaoh went back on his word.  Now, here's where I went thinking on my own.  I'm not adding to or taking away from Scripture, but attempting to apply spiritual truth in a practical application.

When we enter a covenant agreement, we are obligated to keep our word, based upon the agreement made.  Let's consider a purchase, for example.  It can be a major purchase or something small, the integrity is what is important.  If I advertise a goat for sale at $100.00 each, then when someone calls, that is the price they expect to pay at the time of purchase.   Once the deal has been made, they are obligated to give me money and I am obligated to provide the goat.  If either of us does not deliver, the deal is off.  There is no reason in the world for someone to hand me a $100.00 if I were to renege on the deal.  By that same token, there would be no goat leaving the place without payment made.  That is the practical application of an agreement or covenant.

I used to get really confused when I would enter an agreement with someone, then they would change their side of the agreement, while insisting that I keep my end of the agreement.  Once, one party changes their terms, the other party is not obligated to the new terms.  Once the terms change on one side, the original agreement no longer stands.  A new agreement or covenant must be established.  

Now, to get back to Pharaoh and Moses.  Every time the plagues stopped, Pharaoh reneged on his end of the deal, so by the plague of flies, Moses made the offer to just be gone three days, but Pharaoh failed to keep his word again.  As we know, the plagues continued to escalate and the children of Israel made a permanent exodus from Egypt.  When Pharaoh welshed, Moses was not obligated to the terms of the previous agreement.   As we read about the final plague and the first Passover, take notice, in the KJV, it is not the Jewish Passover, but the LORD's Passover.  And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.  Exodus 12:11  YHWH instituted Passover, for His people, forever.    And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.  Exodus 12:24

Messiah's last meal before his death was the Passover seder.  He said to do it in remembrance of Him.  As this time of the Passover remembrance is upon us, I would urge you to consider the New Covenant which is in the perfect blood of the Lamb of G-d.  Messiah didn't die to abolish Torah, redefine sin, or change the definition of forever, He died that we could enter into everlasting covenant.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Luke 22:19