"Can Two Walk Together Except They Be Agreed?"
 Amos 3:3

Is it even possible to be in Agreement? We cannot walk with each other OR GOD, unless we be agreed.

Habakkuk 2:2  "And the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it."

The Power of God in Life and Ministry in Agreement in His Covenants! The Power of non-agreement is Division, Failure and Destruction!

 

The Power of God in His Covenants and Covenant Promises

 

If things are not working well it is because we do not honor His Covenants (II Chronicles 7:14)

A House divided shall fall. "My house is a house of prayer."

 

The power of God in agreement, prayer, praise and thanksgiving!

A Manual of "How to bring love and unity (agreement) & His Covenant Promises!"

The problems in life happen because God's People have not understood His Covenant Provision!

 

Understand the Covenants, Honor them (His ways) & Situations will turn around! 

God Guarantees it! They are Covenants of Love so we can overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the words of our Testimony and get through life!

 

Do things His Way, He Tabernacles with us, Do things our way, we are left with ourselves and He leaves!

God gave us His ways in His love for us, to be blessed so we would be cared for. To go against Him or His ways, we receive the curses.

What we seek, we will find. What we seek is a result of a condition of the heart. What we focus on in life, we become, good or bad.

 

 

Index

Introduction: Gathering the body Globally through His Priesthood

                     The Covenants (Introduction) 

                     Covenant Consequences and Blessing

                     Covenant Conditionality & Number of Covenants

                     Importance of the Covenants

                                   God Remembers all of His covenants, Always!

                                   The Edenic Covenant & the Adamaic Covenants 

The Noahic Covenant

The Abrahamic Covenant

The Salt Covenant 

THE ARK of the Covenant

The Mosiac Covenant (The Law & why they were to be kept) 

The Priestly Covenant (part of the Mosaic Covenant)

The Tabernacle

                                              The Great Day of Atonement; the Scapegoat

                                              The Davidic Covenant (building the kingdom of God)

                                   The Tabernacle Today in the New Covenant (the Messianic Covenant) 

                                   God's Plan for ODB, the body Locally and Globally

                Conclusion: Putting it all Together

 

***Please note the following: In the following pages you will find the very keys to the kingdom of God and the power of God. The power of God can bring life or death depending on how the information is used. God is to be taken seriously and so should His power. What is written here if used properly by the body as one body in love and unity, with the five fold gift ministry for balance will bring life and the resolve to many problems on earth and the glory goes to God. If it is used by individuals, even though they are believers, often times the glory goes to man and instead of becoming closer to God, we get further away from Him and His will. Although we are to walk by faith in His power, we are to do so according to His will as we are led by His Spirit. We strongly suggest that you pray and seek God for His will as you read the following.

 

 

 

Introduction  Top  

 

Gathering the body Globally through His Priesthood

Being on the same page!

 

We believe that God is calling the body to work together globally to work as one body. In order to do this, first we have to understand the only way this can be done, is God's way. The question is, "What exactly is God's way?" Is it perhaps about teaching or preaching or is it something else? We do know that Jesus through His death, burial and resurrection gave us His anointing and ability to deal with all problems and needs on earth as long as we seek Him in prayer, love and unity in agreement in the body. Through Jesus' sacrifice all have the ability to enter the Holy of Holies and the very presence of God as only the high priests were able to in the OT. The new covenant is far better than the old covenant, but in order to fully understand the New Covenant it is important to understand that the New Covenant was built upon the Old Covenant and the Old Covenant is still applicable today and important that we understand some of the aspects of the Old Covenant so we do not work in error.

 

We know that in the OT only kings, prophets and priests could have the anointing of God. It was important in the OT and it is important today to use that anointing the way it was intended and under the direction of God. It was then and today not about having the power of God because that is available to all those that believe. Jesus said in Mark 11:23-24 that what we believe, say and do not doubt, will be, so it is not about having the power of God but walking with God and not misusing what we have been given, representing Him, His way to all people on earth. When we use the power of God in the wrong way or for the wrong reasons in the wrong way we often cause the problem and not the solution.

 

To understand some of the basics we need to understand that using God's power in the wrong way or invoking His power without His permission is witchcraft. All minor acts of witchcraft are about control and manipulation of people. Either we as His people seek Him and His will or we seek what we see, making us like gods, which is witchcraft. People that try to control or manipulate others are actually practicing minor forms of witchcraft whether they understand it or not. God is about freedom and freedom to choose. Often times people are led to God because of fear, and fear is manipulation. Salt and the salt covenant is the opposite of witchcraft. Salt exposes the motives because salt is pure. God is about love and giving people an opportunity to walk with Him and even make mistakes, but choosing to either follow Him or do our own thing. Doing things God's way is about reaching out in love and understanding and not beating people over the head, even though we may think it best for them to be beaten over the head with scripture at times. It is about walking with people and caring for people as God has cared for us. God does not criticize, but leads by love. He does not abandon even when we do dumb things and often times wrong things on purpose or by accident. 

 

God's way is not about judging, but about forgiveness and because of that love we want to be like Him and do the things that He does, not because of fear or other reasons, but out of love and respect. So one must ask why things have turned out the way they have? How did the church get so far off base? Is it possible for the church to get back on track?

 

To start with, to try and answer some of these questions, because if we cannot answer these questions then it is difficult to walk with others or even be in agreement to accomplish His will. We all know that Jesus paid a price for us. However, how we view salvation will depend on which direction we go. Today there are multiple versions of salvation. The basics are and we should all be in basic agreement with this is giving our lives to Him, but that also means our will, thoughts, how we think things should be done and seek Him for how He wants things done, much like the good bride. The good bride does not act on her behalf but the behalf of the groom when He is there or not. It is about surrendering our lives to Him and being submissive to His will, but with that we will also be submissive to each other. Christ is really Jesus the head and we are the body. So when we do accept Christ the head and body are one in the same.

 

Jesus through His sacrifice and our acceptance of Him bought us access and the ability to walk with God in the Holy of Holies or like Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam could eat of any tree except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil for he was told that he would die if he did. Adam had all the blessing of God. Adam walked with God and so can we. We each can approach the throne boldly as Adam did. We can eat from the Tree of Life which is about walking with God because of what Jesus did. Jesus is our brother who if we allow Him will lead the way. As we eat from the Tree of Life we receive the fruits of the Spirit and the most important is love, love for God and all. We come to understand, that what we do to the very least of all on earth, we do to Him. So His way is to represent Him and His love and care for all. Sons are like the Fathers, always. 

 

While in the Garden we each have a choice to eat from one tree or the other. Many of us eat from the Tree of Knowledge. The Tree of Knowledge leads us to believe we can make better decisions about or in life. It gives us the power to make decisions instead of seeking God. You can tell the difference between people that have eaten from the Tree of Knowledge, as there is little or no love and with love comes understanding and forgiveness. Knowledge becomes power. Knowledge becomes everything learning different prayers invoking the power of God for a wide variety of things. Knowledge allows us to decide who we help or not as they may not be worthy of our help. Knowledge allows us to justify why we do not help others and allows us not to work as one body, justifying things the way they are instead of walking in the authority and the responsibility we have been given, as a royal priesthood.

 

So how do we get back on track? Is there any hope? Yes! That is the good news, but we as the body need to work in love and unity so His will can be done globally. It is going back to some of the basics as Jesus was the example and if we do what He did, we will get the same result. If we do other than what He did it is sin and we need to call it what it is. First we need to understand that Jesus believed that it was God that sent people to Him and as a Son He was to represent God's will and love to those God sent Him. Jesus gave all that He had for anyone that God sent Him. Jesus also spent a lot of time in prayer seeking God's will in what to do for those that God sent Him. He thought it rather enjoyable to spend time focused on the Father and talking with Him. One thing He did not do was spend much time building churches or buildings but worked to edify each one that God sent Him and willing to walk with each. He did do some preaching and teaching but mostly on the will of the Father. He said some amazing things such as " if you know me you know the Father that sent me." He also said that His mother and brothers were those that did the will of God. One other thing He did say was if you love me you will keep the commandments and His words.

 

So who is the word? We find in scripture that we are supposed to be the word, the salt of the earth, the light of the world and even the bread of life as we His people have been broken so that others may live. Now one must ask themselves whether this statement is true or not of even from God. If so then if that is not where we are then we need to look at why we are where we are and work to get in line with what we are supposed to be for there to be any hope. It is about self examination to see where we are in the scope of things. In that self examination it would be the hope at least we would be resolved to being repentant to get to where we are supposed to be seeking Him for help in how to get there. Jesus made it clear when He said "physician heal thyself." The truth is we cannot, only He can.

 

So what can we do about anything? We can each of us go in the direction we have been called to go. What we focus on we become. What we focus on increases in us. If we focus on problems, then problems increase. Should we focus on Him and our purpose, then He and our purpose in Him will increase. We focus on Him and our purpose, because we have gotten to a point in life that we fully understand that there is no good in us except Him and that the only hope we have of any eternity let alone any sanity here on earth is by focusing on Him and His way. If we love our families we will do it for them as much as ourselves because He is our only hope, but if we do not do it His way we invite problems, spiritual influences not of God and curses. 

 

We often when we lead people to Christ, well at least Jesus, tell people that God has a plan for them. It is a true statement as God does have a plan for each of us. However, I have found throughout my life most people spend more time planning their vacation than what God has called them to do. Sounds humorous and it is. We are all very dependant on Him and each other but most have not even understood that we are supposed to have a vision and have been called of God to do something or have sought Him for His plan for our lives let alone written it down anywhere. A plan and His vision are important to us. Scripture tells us that we are destroyed for lack of vision. From the vision we seek Him for His plan for us. It is what helps us move on in what we are called to do. Walking in His plan and walking with Him is really the fun stuff in life. In walking with Him through life we find joy and peace in life.  

 

This manual is about understanding the covenants, God's plan, authority and His provision, which have always two parts, both blessings and curses. I do suggest all who attempt to read this, pray and be open to His Spirit as He is the real teacher. At the end we each either lend ourselves to knowledge which will always bring death or life which allows us to walk with Him and be one with Him. I pray that each that read this will be blessed by God and that His Spirit be released on all. 

 

 The Covenants   Top

Introduction to the Covenants:

The Basics: What is a Covenant? A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more people and or in this case God and His people. Covenants by nature are not cancelable, however they can be upgraded as time goes on. An example of this is Jesus as He came to fulfill the law, which meant uphold the covenants and upgrade the covenants and make them more accessible to people being an example to the meaning of the original covenants in how they should work, but not do away with them. The final covenant that He brought was a blood covenant and all those that would give their lives to Him could enter covenant relationship with Him as a brother and enter the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, which only high priests in the Old Testament or covenant could enter, not just once a year, but through Jesus always be to have and audience with the Father daily. 

Some covenants are conditional based on the performance of an individual and some are based totally on God and not man or what man does or does not do. A covenant by nature is a working agreement between the parties. It is important for all believers to understand the basic nature of covenants their design and how we enter into them. A covenant is much like a partnership where two or more enter voluntarily. In the New Testament we find that we are to be co-workers, however it is important to know what we are co-workers in so we do not sway from the covenant or agreement. Habakkuk  2:2-4  "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." God does have a plan for us and we should seek Him for a vision, which can only be done in humility. We are told that we are destroyed for lack of vision. From that vision we are to write the vision down according to Habakkuk 2:2-4. This then becomes God's plan for the person and it also becomes a covenant with the person and God's will for the person which is sealed by the blood of the lamb, because we cannot enter into covenant with God unless we go through the Son. Once sealed in His blood it becomes permanent and binding as He paid the price of His life to honor that covenant. We do the same as we lay down our lives and our wills to Him, which is why Paul admonishes us to die to self daily. 

Covenants by nature are partnership relationships. What we in the NT lend ourselves to increases, good or bad. For example if we belong to a church that is going the wrong direction and we do nothing about it, we are agreeing with the church and enter into covenant relationship with them. If the church does the right things according to God then we receive His grace and blessing as we are a part of that church and represent that covenant relationship with others. If the church does the wrong things and we do nothing where people are hurt in some way or taken in the wrong direction we also share in the responsibility. In each of us, carrying His Spirit and His blood we bind or loose His Spirit in all things including loans and other things that we do not even think about because we are not just signing our names but in Jesus blood signing and binding Him to the agreement as well. The same thing happens when we give our word to someone, we are actually binding Jesus as well, which is why we should be cautious in swearing oaths of allegiance. A prime example of this occurred in WWII in Germany. Hitler could not get into power unless he signed covenant with the church as we are all ambassadors for Christ. Ambassadors having the power of God to bind God or loose God in heaven and earth.  

In the NT us as His people just being involved or not standing on truth or disagreeing with how things are done in government if the government is in error, allows the government to proceed in error and binds God, because we are His ambassadors and as such are supposed to represent His way and will to all. In the OT depicts covenants of this type between individuals such as David and Jonathan (1 Sam 18:3-4), between families such as Jacob and Laban (Gen 31:54), or between Job even makes a covenant with himself (31:1). The length of time covenants were binding varied, as stipulated in the agreement. The covenant of salt (Num 18:1 9) may intimate the permanent, non-decaying nature of a covenant as well. Long lasting covenants are always with God and others. That is what makes the covenant real and binding.

Covenant Consequences and Blessing Top

The consequences attached to the covenants, whether human or divine in origin, could be either positive or negative. Regardless of whether the covenant was motivated by friendship (as with Jonathan and David 1 Samuel 18), suspicion (as with Laban and Jacob Genesis 31), or God’s loving choice (as with Israel), fidelity to the covenant is its most fundamental anchor and constitutes the essence of it. Covenants were and are to be remembered and kept, and blessings awaited those who did. God’s covenants began with blessings, with even greater blessings to follow. His covenants were “front-loaded,” so to speak, with divine blessings, wholly undeserved and unmerited, and secured with promises of eternal fidelity. But they could also be rejected and broken, transgressed, and forsaken. And the gravity of failing to honor the stipulations could be severe. Violators of the divine covenant are promised the “curses of the covenant” (Deut 29:21) and divine “vengeance” (Lev 26:25). In the case of a covenant between individuals, walking between the pieces of the sacrifice (e.g., Gen 15:12-18) provided a visual threat of similar dismemberment should the covenant obligations go unmet—a consequence ultimately realized in Judah’s capture by Babylon (Jer 34:18-20). The self-malediction of Jonathan is similar (1 Sam 20 :13). 

This is an important issue to remember because covenants by their very nature become law especially in the New Testament where we, His people have been given the power of God to bind or loose the Spirit of God. We do so because we are Ambassadors for Christ having the power of heaven on earth to bind or loose. Today an ambassador does not mean the same as it did when scripture was written. Today it is much like a messenger of a particular government having little power, but when scripture was written an ambassador had the full authority to bind or loose the power of the government. His people (the body) have the power of God through Jesus blood, which makes everything we do or agree to a blood covenant bound by the very blood of Jesus. It is why when two or more are gathered in His name and touching or agreeing to anything it will be done, because we have the very power of God to bind the enemy or loose the enemy or the Spirit of God. When we give our word one to another, believer or not we bind heaven or loose the power of heaven even in our place of work. The enemy would lead us to believe otherwise, but scripture lets us know clearly our authority in Him and because of Him and because of who we are in Him.

Going back to the Edenic covenant God created everything with His words. We as His children have the power and authority through the blood of Jesus to do the same if we believe (Mark 11:23-24). It is the same with self fulfilled prophesy and why the enemy works to get us into situations where we will say things in error. We are any one of us either living epistles speaking His Words in us and life or we are part of the problem at the very least speaking what we say in error creating the problems. Each one of us chooses the words that we speak and we speak from our hearts and we all need to be focused on Him and His will in order for things to come out as God's will. Speaking the wrong things in error can bring the curse especially if we know what we are doing and know we speak in error. We can either build or destroy with our words. It is much like when we speak to our children. We speak words of life into them or we speak words of destruction. For example a parent that tells their children in anger they are worthless or dumb. Each word is like a seed that is cast on the soil that will grow a tree and can take root, which will always bear a fruit. In this case it will be a root of failure and bitterness, which can be more destructive than beating a child. Scars on the flesh can heal, but scars in the spirit can take a life time and affect generations to come. Each word we speak can become a covenant good or bad, which will either produce a fruit of love and unity or hurt, guilt and consequences. 

We all need to learn to speak in faith and not speak what we see. When Jesus spoke His speech where words that brought life and liberty. He understood each word spoken into someone could and would bring healing. He did not speak words of sickness. For example He did not say you are sick or you are a fool as that would have sealed their fate. He spoke words of life seeing the outcome and not the problem. We are to learn to represent Him as ambassadors, His ways to bring life because we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. 

As mentioned when we make covenant with each other we bind or loose His Spirit. This could have far reaching blessing or consequences. When we give our word and do not keep it we sin against the other that is in the covenant, but because of His Spirit in us, we also are sinning against God. What we do to the least of these we do unto Him. It is true, good or bad. Perhaps if we all really understood this principle we might all be a little nicer to each other. Should we curse the fig tree as Jesus did, the fig tree will be cursed because of our position of authority and responsibility with God. He does not over ride us and what we say. Should we forgive sin, He forgives. Should we not forgive others then they are not forgiven, but we also need to understand that neither are we forgiven our own sin. Forgiveness is an important issue with God as we can see in the book of Job. Job had un-forgiveness in his heart. God not does not condemn, we do. If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God forgives and forgets. Humans remember often and bring it up later, which is not forgiving. It is holding sin over the person binding them in the sin. We are to confess our faults one to the other so we may be healed. We all have priestly authority to forgive sin or judge them, but should we judge then we are judged. 

There are two schools of thought which may bring blessing or curses, depending on where we are in Him. One way when we seek God is to want His will done and the other way is based on what we think should be done. One way seeks a better relationship with Him and life, the other brings our way, putting our ways even above Him and His ways, making us gods. We are all admonished to pray in the Spirit in line with His will otherwise we can be praying in error. Praying in error can have and usually does have horrible long lasting consequences. How we pray will always depend on what kind of relationship with God and how much we actually have surrendered our lives to Him, either desiring His will or not. What we are here to do is learn to walk with God in His ways surrendering our lives and will to Him, for Him to be God of our lives. Jesus did pay the price so we can have access to God in the Holy of Holies much like Adam in the garden of Eden. But once in the garden we all choose to give up our will and desire to walk with Him and Him to be present with us or we eat from the tree of knowledge, which allows us to decide what is right or not, but will always lead to death. 

When scripture tells us to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, it is saying trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. It is putting our lives in His hands and trusting Him that brings salvation. Satan believes, but does what Satan does as he does his own will manipulating the power of God to get what he desires. The great deception is believing that we have the power of God to do what we please.

Covenant Conditionality  Top

Conditionality was an integral aspect of every bilateral covenant, where it takes the agreement of the two human parties. Failure of one of the parties to carry out the specified conditions rendered the agreement null and void. A salt covenant made by two people may be an example of a bilateral covenant. Unilateral covenants, on the other hand, wherein the LORD is the creator of the covenant and is the sole party responsible to carry out its obligations, are unconditional, depending totally on His faithfulness for their fulfillment. Scripture gives five of these covenants: the Noahic, Abrahamic, Priestly (or Levitical), Davidic, and the New. It should be noted that the New Covenant is somewhat conditional as it is based on a person's acceptance of Christ, however the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is an unconditional gift. Scripture has no evidence of any obligations required of the recipients of these five covenants. It should be noted, however, that this does not deny the possible need for consequent obedience. But it does establish the fact that obedience is not a contingency for its fulfillment. This is important to note that the covenant in theses cases as they were instituted by God and did not require the other party to do anything or even obey, but if they did not obey there were severe consequences for the disobedience. A prime example of this is found in Deuteronomy where there are blessing for doing what is required and curses for disobedience. There are simply blessing or curses for being a Jew. We find in the New Covenant or Testament that all covenants after that point are blood covenants based on the blood of Jesus. It is why we are not to swear oath or make guarantee as we bind Him and His name to all things if we are sons. Not living up to what we agree to is like giving up our salvation. We have been given all power and authority as the body to bind and loose all power in heaven and in earth.

Number of Covenants

Scripture records numerous covenants, the vast majority established between individuals or nations. Some of these covenants may be described as “of the LORD” or “of God” (1 Sam 20:8; Prov 2:17), although the LORD Himself is not one of the covenanting parties. The number of divinely initiated covenants is considerably less. Historically, premillennialists have placed five or six covenants in this category—Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Priestly, Davidic, and New. Classic Reformed theology, on the other hand, generally concludes that there is essentially one overarching covenant in Scripture— the “covenant of grace.” The covenant of Grace may or may not be a valid covenant but it is a teaching and a generally accepted practice in Christianity today as many practices are whether they are scriptural or not. Some of these practices come more from a long line of tradition instead of godly practice of a covenant instituted by God. Marriage should be considered one of those covenants instituted by God as permanent and binding with few exceptions. One argument in the church today is whether OT covenants are still binding. We do know that Jesus for example came to fulfill the law but not abolish it. A more literal definition in this case of fulfill is to uphold and extend the blessing or curses for all those who believe in and accept Jesus as Lord. 

Importance of the Covenants  Top

Covenants are unmistakably important even today and equally important is to understand the covenants. One modern teaching is that Jesus came to begin a new covenant, but that is a teaching in error as that would actually work against God and His ways. Jesus spoke many things out of the OT not to replace it but uphold it. It is why many Christians today do not understand the covenants of the OT and focus for the most part on the NT, however it should be noted that the New Covenant could not actually start until after Jesus, death, burial, resurrection and when He ascended to heaven. Most of the New Covenant actually starts in Acts chapter two where we find the people are filled with the Holy Ghost being living epistles, which is the intent of the New Covenant. It is the new wine. 

It is important to understand that what Jesus died for was to allow all people to be grafted in as God's people because of their acceptance of Jesus and His sacrifice. Only in the OT could kings, prophets or priests receive the anointing of God, but in the New all can receive if they first give their life to Christ and accept Him and His ways, and secondly believe and receive. Jesus made it possible for all to commune with God, which is why the New Covenant is described as a better covenant, however with that New Covenant we are also supposed to give our lives up, which is why we are to die to self daily. As a son, to enact our part of the covenant we are to give up our will for the will of the Father and no longer retain our own will. From that point on we fall either in the blessings of His people or the curses because we refuse His ways. 

It is because of the Grace Doctrine that has been taught throughout the years that teaches that the Old Covenants are no longer valid because we live by grace and actually we are to live by faith and keep His covenants. What makes the covenant valid in our own lives is the circumcision of heart. For those with a changed heart He gives us His heart or His Spirit and writes the law on our hearts. 

The reason the covenants are important in part is, that it gives believers today roots that date back, not just to Jesus, but back to the beginning of time itself. John tells us that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. In the New Covenant as a recipient of that covenant our roots then because of Him go back to the beginning as we are to become the Word and the Word pre-dates the covenants. In the Mosaic Covenant, God revealed His holiness and the heinousness of sin. The daily sacrifices provided a constant reminder of the need for the shedding of blood for the remission of sin, for the propitiating of God’s wrath. There are two important deaths in the NC. The first is Jesus as He did pay the price for us to have entrance, but the second is our own death in giving up our lives to Him, if we have truly given our lives to Him. If so we are dead with Him and resurrected with Him and already sitting at the right hand of the Father according to Ephesians. Our promise in this if we are led by His Spirit that we become sons of God, which was not possible in the older covenants, but with this comes a greater responsibility for all that happens around us. It is therefore important to pay careful attention to the covenants as they will bear an overwhelming abundance of fruitfulness. 

 

God Remembers all of His covenants, Always!  Top

"I will Remember My Covenant."

Genesis  9:15 And I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
Ezekiel 16:60 Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

Galatians 3:29 "If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to promise." 

The Old Covenants with Man and how it all started:

God's desire was from the beginning and even today is that His people would walk with Him and commune with Him daily. In the book of Genesis we find the account of creation where man was created in God's image. This really is God's first desire and covenant with man, to walk with him and for him to walk with God. We know that God is a Spirit and if we are to worship Him we must do so in Spirit and truth. From that scripture we know that it was Adams spirit that was created in God's image and not his flesh as Adam's flesh was created from the dirt. Adam walked with God as an equal with God, not because of Adam, but because of God in the garden of Eden. Adam was told he could eat from any tree except including the Tree of Life, but was told that if he ate from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil he would die. The death at that point was a spiritual death but it was also a physical death as Adam would sooner or later die. Had Adam not sinned perhaps he would have lived forever. Any one of us including Adam are not able to truly determine what is good or evil. Today we live in a time period where man calls good things evil and evil things good. Eating from the tree allows one to make their own decisions based on what they believe to be true. Mind you believing something to be true is different from knowing what is true and only God knows all things and what is Truth. 

Often times man makes decisions based on his belief that things are true only to find out that he was in error to begin with at a later time. The first error is not seeking God and knowing His will and the second error is making decisions on our own which is a recipe for disaster, ALWAYS. We all make decisions based on our senses, feel, touch, smell, hear and what we see, however what we see can be easily distorted. To demonstrate this all we have to do is look at the magician to know this is true, as the magician works out of illusion deceiving our senses.  

The only way out is to trust God and ask His will to be done and then move based on His will and us praying for His will in His Spirit because the flesh is easily deceived. Even our prayers as we have been given His anointing may be in horrible error if we do not understand His will. Fortunately there is grace, however He does want us to grow and become mature in Him so we will seek His will and then pray. Prayer always brings increase and can change direction. Prayer sets things in motion, good or bad depending on how we pray and if we pray though His Spirit or our mind, often times not in His will and there can be very bad consequences for not praying His will. Jesus is our example, He had no will of His own except the will of the Father, so when He prayed He was not working against the Father, but working with the Father to the outcome that God wanted. When any of us work out of our senses or the flesh we work in iniquity, which is like a blind spot that we all have. The only way to work with God is His Spirit, if we understanding His will, so His will can be done through each of His people on earth as it is in heaven. 

The Edenic Covenant & the Adamaic Covenants (understanding the plan)  Top

The Edenic Covenant is recorded in Genesis 2:15-17 describes the First Covenant Yahweh or God made with Adam and outlined the responsibilities that Adam had to God. Relationships even with Adam should not be assumed but built otherwise it does become religion. Building relationship or covenant is about love one for the other, desiring what is best for the other above themselves. It makes each a servant to the other, to support and lift up each other as do with all relationships and all real relationships are about equality and not selfishness, walking with each other, caring for each other in love, putting the other before themselves.  All of God's Covenant's require love between those in covenant and always with God in the middle of things as He is the one who does the yoking one with the other by His Spirit, but there are responsibilities of both or all parties and provides certain guarantees.  Covenants are recorded in the Great White Throne Room in Heaven, where they are witnessed by the Angels of Light and by Satan and his Angels of Darkness (Job 1:6; Rev.4:2-11). 

Adam was:

The Fall from Grace: Everyone seems to know for the most part the story of Adam and Eve and the fall from grace, however many do not know why there was the fall from grace and what was intended originally with Adam. We do know that Eve was created not from the dirt as Adam was, but a rib was taken from Adam and placed in Eve. Scripture tells us that man was created for God and woman for man. We do not know, however how long Adam walked with God before Eve was put into place. One might ask why it is important to understand some of this?

To start with God walked with Adam as a servant to Adam. We do know from Scripture that God is a servant to even the servant, so by design He serves all, always trying to lead people to have a closer relationship with Him so He can take care of them, much like the shepherd cares for the flock, caring for there every need if they do not wander off to far. It is an example of God's love that we see in the Good Shepherd. Adam responsibility to both God and Eve was to serve as Adam should have learned by God's example to Adam. If you think about it, if we are cared for in love then we probably won't be listening to serpents that are telling us how to get things done. At least that is the hope. All of us need love and care and if truly loved we will be less likely to wander from the flock. If we understand that we will understand that we are here to serve one another in love and care as God did for Adam, which will always lead to better relationships with God but also with each other and will always build family or community.  However if we do not want to be responsible for others and only desire to give people rules to live by then probably like Eve they will not listen too well. Yes it was wrong for Eve to do what she did, no doubt, but scripture tells us that the husband is the head over the wife, which means man was called to lead by love and service, which is more difficult than just telling people what to do.  

People fall into deception because their needs are often not cared for. We are all sort of a needy bunch and we all need love and attention or any of us are likely to wander off and get into trouble as Eve did. It should be understood that they were not kicked out of the Garden of Eden until after Adam ate of the fruit and after talking with God and after Adam blamed Eve and did not take responsibility for what he did. Adam instead of admitting to what he did took an easy way out and blamed Eve. He also did not trust God enough after walking with God in knowing God enough to go to God when Eve first ate of the fruit. Adam chose Eve instead of God, which was a bigger problem as it put Eve over God in Adam's eyes. 

There are many valuable lessons in all of this. The first is that we are to walk with God and understand Him, His ways and His love so we can do exactly as He did with us, with those He has put in our path or given us to care for. We are to represent God's will not be teaching but by love to all and either we have walked with Him enough to understand His love for us or we have not. God is about love more than rules. Rules do not make people follow, but love conquers all. Basic lesson is that we are to represent His way of love for all those He gives us to care for. We may not know what to do with them or for them, but it is by design so we will seek Him and represent Him as Adam was supposed to do. One thing we all should be looking at is if we are listening to God instead of Satan in greed. The root greed is about manipulation promising something we cannot deliver as Satan did with both Adam and Eve. Satan does work to trick us into believing many things, but it is so he can stand before God and accuse us (Job 1:6-11, 2:1-3; 1Pet.5:8-9). 

As a result of the breaking of the original covenant, Satan became the god of this world (2Cor.4:4), because Adam chose to listen to Satan instead of God. It should be understood that the world is the world system of doing things in a monetary sense and having governments and people over one another instead of being a servant to one another. All of God's covenants all have either blessings or curses depending on how His people that have been called and chosen by Him respond to His ways. The curse of Sin was broken by Jesus death, burial and resurrection if learn to walk with God as Adam did in His ways in love for one another and we do not get caught up in the aspects of the world in Satan's dominion. The body (whereby Jesus is the head), working as one in agreement has the ability to stop the works of the devil if we walk in faith and love. All of us either walk in blessing or curses depending on who we are following and listening to. Adam as we know was given dominion over all things of the earth and the body through Jesus has been given authority over all but only if we walk with Him and each other in His ways in agreement.

A valuable lesson of Cain & Abel: As we all know Adam and Eve had two children, which were Cain and Abel. God demanded a particular sacrifice from each, which was a sacrificed lamb. We also know from Scripture that Abel was faithful to God and gave God the sacrifice that He required, while Cain gave a sacrifice of what he thought he should give, which turns out to be the fruits of his labor. The lesson in all of this is God wants us all to keep His commandments and honor His covenants the way He wants and not the way we necessarily want. Just as in Abel case it is difficult to often do what God wants and the way He wants, but after all He is God. The cost as we know from scripture is that it cost Abel's life to things the way God wanted. In some of the following people that either did things God's way or did things their own way. Doing things God's ways will bring salvation and blessings. Doing things our own way, even though it sounds like the right things to do will always be sin and always cause death, although it did cost Abel's life to do things God's way. One lesson we all should consider, the more anointed, the more responsible and accountable we all become to God for doing things God's way.

The Noahic Covenant: THE ARK God's Provision for safety  Top

Genesis 6:18; 9:8-17

The Setting: The Noahic Covenant comes within the context of the great flood. It is recorded that “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and  that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5), making Him “sorry He had made man” and grieving Him in His heart (Gen 6:6). As a result, “the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky” (Gen 6:7).  But, in contrast to the rest of mankind, it notes that “Noah found grace  in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen 6:8), and as a result, God instructed him to build an ark by means of which he, his family, and all those that entered, which included “two of every living thing” would be spared. Significant aspects of God’s original creation of earth were reversed by the great flood. What we can ascertain by the scripture is God in His wisdom first wants and desires man to do things His way instead of our own. Should we do things His way, He provides and takes care of us. Should we not listen and not be willing to at least seek Him and try to understand His way then we sort of become gods and do our own thing, which will always bring utter destruction and separation from God. Yet through the flood, we can see that if we do follow Him and His precepts He provides an escape and safety. The nature of this covenant is revealed in three passages of the Genesis account: 6:17-22; 8:20-22; and 9:8-17. This is not to suggest that there is more than one covenant. 

The text (Gen 9:9) is literally rendered, “And I, behold I am utterly establishing My covenant with you,"  leaving no doubt as to its author. The great flood came because of disobedience and wickedness of people by the hand of God (Gen 6:17); and assures Noah and his family that He would also provide protection under the Shadow of the Almighty. God’s authorization is reasserted five times throughout the covenant (Gen 9:12, 13, 15, 16, 17). Walking, not just believing in His covenants provide a way for man to be cared for, provided for and led to a safe place if man follows. As with all covenants there are the blessings of the covenant but also consequences for not keeping the covenant. In the Old Testament we find the sacrifice of the lamb for the forgiveness of sin, because the cost of breaking covenant with God is the cost is and was a life. We do know that Jesus paid the price for us, but part of that covenant is to be the good bride, die to self, seek Him and represent His will and ways to all. 

The Ark also was prophetic as it told of God's provision in the Ark of the Covenant and the Temple of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament for all those that entered covenant with God through the Son. Part of the scripture in dealing with the Ark was to include instruction on how to build the Ark, just as Moses was given instruction by God on how to build the Tabernacle and Paul in the New Testament in Ephesians in how to build and edify all parts of the body through God's ministry on earth. 

Initially the covenant was established with Noah and his family (Gen 9:9). Obviously, since only Noah’s immediate family was preserved through the flood, this covenant extended to all mankind who would subsequently populate the earth. But then God enlarged the list to include “every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth” (Gen 9:10). The promise by God in v. 11: “and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood.” God's promise was to never curse the earth again. This led to next part of the covenant in circumcision, which was also called a “sign of the covenant” (Gen 17 :11). The institution of the Sabbath is also so intimated (Ezek 20:12, 20). 

The Noahic Covenant is the first real covenant referenced in Scripture. Its first mention is in Gen 6:18 where God reveals to Noah His intention to destroy the whole earth. It should be noted here that God also told Jonah that destruction would come to Nineveh also because of their wickedness and in the Book of Revelation we see the end in total and complete destruction. It is important to understand part of God's Covenant with man in general is to know that God always sends His true prophets in advance to warn the people the destruction is coming. The people around Noah had years to choose to go into the Ark before God closed the door. Nineveh was warned by Jonah and as a result Nineveh repented and turned to God and was not destroyed for another 120 years when they went back to their old ways and wickedness. A final note is the Book of Revelation as we all know that it is all coming to and end sooner or later, but the condition put on the great tribulation even beginning is that His people's hearts wax cold (Rev 3:15-15). Not only towards God but others as well. The solution to this of course is for His people to be Hot for God, His ways and His covenants.  

As a sign of the covenant, God placed a rainbow in the cloud (Gen 9:13, 14, 16, 17). As with other covenant signs, this too was a repeatable evidence of God’s promise to Noah. The sign although beautiful, contains an element of the judgment that had been passed and a reminder for the future of the destruction if we forget. While circumcision (Gen 17:11) and the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13-17; Ezek 20:12, 20), as signs of a covenant, were intended to remind man of God’s covenant requirements, this sign is said to be for the purpose of reminding God (Gen 9:15, 16). The use of the rainbow as a sign of the promise that the earth would not again be destroyed by a global flood; however it is important to know and remember the global flood as there are still local floods on occasion. However, we are warned in scripture that sooner or later the earth will be destroyed by fire (2 Pet 3:10-11; Rev 21:1). It should be considered that natural disasters are a sign of the times announcing the end, however with this is the promise that the body has the power of God to hold off the end if we become or stay hot for God (Rev 3:15-16) and His ways, covenants and move as Christ, one body, with Jesus as the head. 

One other thing that came out of the Noahic Covenant at the end was seeing the dove letting the occupants of the Ark know that there was dry land nearby. This of course as we know is a sign of the Holy Spirit and that we in the New Testament are to follow the Holy Spirit if we understand His ways. 

The Abrahamic Covenant: His people to represent God's ways to all   Top

Hebrews 11:6-22

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should later receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded by them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they are seeking a fatherland.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He hath prepared for them a City.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 of whom it was said, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called,"
19 accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, from whence he also received him, in a figurative sense.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.

The account of Abraham can be found from Genesis chapters 11-25. There are two main points in Abraham's life. The first is the promise made to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. In fact he was the father of two great nations, one through Isaac and one through Ishmael. Abraham as we know is the father of  the Hebrew nation or God's chosen people who are called to demonstrate God's ways to all on earth and the second is through Ishmael, where the Arabians trace their roots to.  It is important to note that the promise of the land (Gen.15:18) was passed to Isaac, which is what is at the root of the controversy in the Middle East. Ishmael was the first born of Abraham, but not with Abraham's wife Sarah. Sarah is the mother of Isaac and in the Hebrew tradition it is not the father that determines the heritage of the child but the mother. Today as we all know there is much controversy over the land in the Middle East between Arabs and Jews, because of Isaac and Ishmael. 

For the purpose of this study two things are important. The first is God's covenant with Abraham and God's faithfulness to Abraham even though Abraham would be considered somewhat of a rogue. Although Abraham was a sinner as scripture points out, God was faithful. That is an important thing to note, God proves Himself to man, but He expects man to walk by faith based on His promise or covenants, sooner or later as we see in Abraham's case, Abraham was called by God to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. One can make a good case that God did the same with Jesus and be assured it was difficult for God to do so. So the first point about God's Covenants is that God regardless of what we do, stands by His Words to people. We do know that sometimes God does put conditions on promises, but in this case His promise stood with Abraham. Abraham although was a sinner he did have a love and respect for God. 

With all of God's Covenant's there are blessings and curses. Blessings for observing His Covenants and curses if His ways are not observed. Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of Israel and Israel defined literally is God's people as Jews are Israelites, which are a Covenant people with God. Those that bless Jews are blessed by God. Those that curse the Jews are cursed by God still to this day because God does remember His Covenants, always. Abraham did start two nations with two sons, the first illegitimate son, Ishmael (meaning one who God hears Gen.17:20, but also a wild man whose hand will be against every man. Gen. 16:12 ) from Hagar who was an Egyptian and handmaiden of Sarah (meaning mother of nations, Gen. 17:16), Abraham's wife. Isaac as we know was the son of Abraham and Sarah, chosen of God to start the blood line of the Hebrews. The Hebrews or Jews are God's people called and chosen of God to demonstrate the will of God to all people on earth.

To this day God's people are still Jews. Jesus as we know came from Mary a Jew, but also from God. Today because of Jesus we can be re-born through the blood of Jesus, which is more precious than the blood of earthly parents. This makes us not only God's children because of the Father through the Son, but also through Mary the mother of Jesus. We are not only grafted in as Jews but are also called to be a royal priesthood to receive His anointing, which was reserved in the Old Testament to only kings, prophets and priests. This is due to the death of Jesus and the ripping of the veil in the Holy of Holies giving access to all in the Holy of Holies once reserved only for high priests and they could only enter once a year, but now all can approach the throne of Grace with boldness if we have died to self and given our lives to Him.

By faith standing on God's promise all the greats in the Old Testament according to Hebrews 11 obtained favor with God and His Covenants with man. Today by faith we have secured our place with Him and in Him, who is already seated at the right hand of the Father, Christ and we are His body and He has already put everything under His footstool. Ephesians 1-2. It should be noted that because of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection and our acceptance of Him we have the ability to become sons, even those that believe on His name, John 1:12. Without Jesus we were in the world and of the world and Satan is the god of this world. Through Jesus we have the ability to see the truth and the truth can set us free, if we walk in the truth and the light that we have been given by faith. Jesus because of what He did brought things back to the place of grace where Adam was before sin. Like Adam we all either eat from the Tree of Life or we eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. We all make a choice to either walk with God daily in the kingdom of God, having no will of our own except the will of the Father as Jesus did or we eat from the Tree of Knowledge which allows us to make our own choices in life, trusting our senses or flesh walking by sight instead of walking by faith with God as sons, being led by His Spirit. How does one know if they have eaten from the correct tree? 1Jo 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. What we do to each other, even the very least, we do to Him.

Genesis 12:1-3

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 show 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."

The Tribes of Israel; How they started

Gen 29:31-35, 30:1-24

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Since the fall of Adam, men walked in sin and in iniquity, our heritage promises that we would need a Savior to redeem us from our sins. The birthing forth of the tribes came at a time when deception seemed to be the way of life. Abraham had three sons; the first born was Ishmael from Hagar the Egyptian, which was Sarah's handmaiden (Gen. 25:12) and from Ishmael came twelve princes (Gen. 25:16) and the beginning the Muslim religion. From Abraham and Sarah, Abraham's wife came Isaac. From Isaac and Rebekah came Esau and Jacob. Jacob deceived Esau and stole Esau's Birthright. From that Jacob feel under a curse from then on. Esau having murder in his heart at having his birthright stolen, wanted to kill Jacob, so Jacob fled. It was there Jacob went to his uncle Laban’s. He worked 7 years for Rachel, but was given Leah on his wedding night, as there was a switch he awoke to find Leah as his wife. Again he would have to work another 7 years, till he received the second wife, Rachel. This is where the twelve sons were born and the tribes started.

“When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, He opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And Leah conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the Lord hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also; and she called his name Simeon. And she conceived again and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons; therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she said, Now will I praise the Lord; therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.” Gen. 29:31-35

The first four sons, were born of the unlovely one, but out of the tribe of Judah would come the Messiah. This is where praise would be life to those who know Him and live for Him. In the outer court in the east gate was the Way, this is where all would enter to perform the sacrifices and would be given atonement for their sins. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Characteristics of the Tribes

The priests ate of the twelve loaves in part so they could minister to the tribes. Each loaf was to be broken for Him and so they would serve God and His ways and each other. The problem was that most were not very broken. God does not force anyone to walk with Him or dwell with Him. Then and now, it is a choice. A free will and a condition of the heart. In the New Covenant there is one loaf as represented in the Lord's Table. "My body is broken for you." Today the ones that are broken strive to get along for His will to be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven. It is what makes any of us sons desiring and doing something about His will more than our own. Understanding the characteristics of each of the twelve tribes helps ministers and believers how to deal with others, why they do what they do or can do certain things, do not seem to be able to do other things and where believers are at spiritually. Ministers should be balanced understanding how to deal with the different tribe personalities to bring them all to the one loaf in the New Covenant taking believers, understanding where they come from and there personalities, from one point to the next as we seek God. Although, we the body are to reach everyone in our work places, churches, schools, and communities it is important to understand what people are capable of doing or not. 

As we know the tribes did not get along to well together. There was then like today in the church many splits and division. Each tribe had their own will and personality much like each church today. Each tribe catered to there own personality group. They attracted personalities that were like themselves much like again the church today. Often today believers go to a church because that is where they are comfortable. How we become one loaf or the body is through Jesus, however in believing by itself, we become much like one of the tribe members. How we become one loaf or one body is by being broken giving up our will for His will desiring to be like Him more than ourselves. After all when we go out everyday into the world people either see Him or they see us. If they see more of us than Him, then we are not as broken and as much of the loaf as we may think or believe. The more broken, the more like Him, the less broken the more of us there is. It is our choice to either seek Him to want to be like Him or choose not to seek Him. In life who we associate with we become like. If we hang with bad, we become bad. If we choose to seek Him and hang with Him, sooner or later we will become like Him, but either way it is because of the circumcision of the heart or lack of it. In Jesus we have His fire to burn away self and it is obvious who is of self or of Him and fire.

The first step is to understand who we are speaking to so we can communicate more effectively so we can pass His ways to the different personalities, but also take them to the next step of being able to work with each other to accomplish His will by walking together in agreement. Jesus sent the disciples out in twos so they could understand each other but also support each other. Then it becomes the task of prayer and interceding for each so they can become one loaf in the process so believers can work together in love and unity in His will in the community. The focus is always establishing the kingdom of God here on earth with His priests in taking each step we take, claiming it as His kingdom and take back that which Satan has stolen. We are to claim each step that we step as His kingdom, Israel and set angels in place to guard His property. His royal priesthood is called to take the land, but also demonstrate God's ways to all. With His ways also comes His blessing and provision to deal with all problems, obstacles and needs on earth. We do these things with our speech in how we speak (Mark 11: 23-24) because what we believe, speak and do not doubt, especially if we are in agreement and touching any thing it will be done.

It is always important as His royal priesthood to be seeking His presence and His will so we do not work in the flesh but by His Spirit. He is the only one that is able to see from the very beginning to the end and to know what is best. It is why we need to be led by His Spirit in agreement so His will can be done instead of what we as individuals might set in motion on our own. It is not just about having the power of God in His anointing, it is about using the power of God and His anointing the way He wants it used. What does bring the balance is in agreement in the five fold gift ministry so there will be balance and they are called and placed by God if they work in unity to demonstrate His will and ways so each in the body grows to maturity and stays in balance, understanding and walking as one body in His will. We all have the ability to be a part of the problem or solution. We any of us can become the problem if the ministry or fruit we produce is not balanced. Then the work can become lop sided edifying self instead of the whole body. It is one big reason why many are hurt in the church today, because often they are left behind and not edified. They do not have the ability to be someone else. They can after all be only what they are. If the ministry is balanced then so will the people be. For example; if the focus of the ministry is to just teach and or preach then only the fruit of teaching and preaching will be produced. In other words we all learn by example.

The Salt Covenant (Covenant Relationship with each other and God)

"…all offerings must be seasoned with salt…"- Numbers 18:19

Today when we think of salt it is different from how people thought of salt in the Old Testament and even the New Testament. Today we go to the grocery store to purchase salt and it is fairly inexpensive, but in the OT Salt was worth more than money. Salt was highly prized for several reasons including bringing flavor to food and it was used as a preservative, but also purifies and even with some salt used in healing. It is important that although good covenants can lift one another bad one can do some damage if God is not doing the sealing of the Covenant. We all have the power to loose or bind His Spirit, covenant therefore with the wrong people can be harmful, so a great amount of caution and wisdom is required when entering into salt covenant one with the other. Most covenants are from God and His people, but the salt Covenant in the Old Testament was with two or more men. What changes things in the New Testament is that if we carry His Spirit and enter covenant with those not of His Spirit then the covenant is not godly, cause harm and bind God and His will. 

Salt is and was an important ingredient of life in the Old Testament according to Leviticus 2:13; Numbers 18:19, where it becomes part of Yahweh's or God's  Covenant with His people and was directed to be part of all the grain offerings in the Temple, which symbolizes the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the body in the New Testament. Salt because of its nature has the ability to drive off demons if we understand the Salt Covenant that we have with each other and God. Salt is not used by witches and is not served in the witches sabot, which is the root word for sabotage today. It is not the salt that is powerful but the Salt Covenant that God has with man if man walks in His precepts and ways. 

To enter into Salt Covenant with another as salt had a great deal of value both Spiritually and monetarily, men carried salt with them in a pouch and used it as money often. To enter into Salt Covenant with another was to pour the salt on a table or surface and the other in the covenant would do the same on top of the others salt and would mix the two's salt together. The point of the covenant was that you could not separate one persons salt from the other. They then often broke bread and dipped the bread in the salt and shared the bread symbolizing the bond that had been created between the two. It is important to note that the bread was unleavened, because if there is, but a little leaving it spoils the whole loaf and the covenant.  In looking first to the Old Testament we can see in the Tabernacle that there were twelve loaves of bread, one loaf representing each one of the twelve tribes and the bread was broken and the priests ate of the bread. In the New Testament we see that in the Lord's table, "My body is broken for you." We are the body the priests if we have been broken so we can love one another in covenant relationship with God and man. The covenant was a life time commitment of equality, transparency, holding nothing back from the other and that one would be there for the other at moments notice. It meant that they would be brothers to walk together in life being as one blood in agreement, in the good or the bad as their salt could not be separated. It also meant that they were equal one with the other. 

At the end they divided the salt and both took equal amounts of the salt and put it in their pouch. Mind you the covenant could only be made by two of God's people and it was not a thing of the flesh but a spiritual covenant not only with each other but with God, much like a marriage covenant between married people as they become one with each other in spirit. In either the marriage covenant or the salt covenant it is important those in the covenant are equally yoked or neither is likely to be in agreement. The only way people can really be in agreement on anything is because of the Spirit of God. God is the one who makes the bonds of God with man and each other. Covenants are about relationships with God and each other and representing His will one to the other. 

Today in the church we tend to go more for preaching and teaching and building buildings instead of walking in covenant relationship with Him or each other. II Samuel 7:5-7  "Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus saith the LORD: Shalt thou build Me a house for Me to dwell in?  For I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.  In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people Israel, saying, "Why build ye not Me a house of cedar?"’ What is being said here is that God is saying to David that He does not dwell in building but He dwells in the hearts of men if we desire to walk with Him and His ways or covenants. Man's ways are to build buildings, God's way is to build people. We find in Ephesians that the five fold gift ministry was created and designed by God to edify or build the body and each member. Jesus said that His house was a house of prayer. In prayer we are not really to seek stuff but to seek Him and desire to walk with Him. He knows that we have needs. Simply put the more time we spend seeking Him and walking with Him the less preaching and teaching there will be or will be needed and the more we will become like Him, but also understand the more we become like Him the more we will love others including our neighbor. It is the only way to love Him and each other, by walking with Him so He will dwell with us and we with Him.

If we are to be Godly and do what God desired and to have His heart, we also need to understand that God's greatest desire is to walk with each one of us in life. God is not about teaching and preaching but about love and unity and caring for Him and each other. God created man in His own image and with His own will so man could or would choose to walk with God. We should want to walk with God out of love, but being that God is everything it is also for provision and safety. When relationships or covenants are formed in marriage or salt around God these covenants are all as eternal as God is. The only way anyone of us is able to walk with each other or Him in agreement is because of Him if we are focused on Him. 

When the marriage covenant is reduced to just the flesh and is not a spiritual union then anyone can bring the two together and the marriage either will not last or they will never be in agreement or love. With God's way one ordained of God can represent God and seal the union in the Spirit between the two and they become one flesh. The Salt Covenant is much the same in that the two become one in Him and because they are in Him they can walk with each other in life. The Salt Covenant should be how the body is with each member of the body, not just with Him and us as individuals but with Him and each of us so we all can walk together and be in agreement in love and unity, which is not about teaching and preaching or building buildings but about walking with each other, caring for each other and each others needs. Can one deny himself or herself food or love? No, of course not and if we are one with the other neither should we. 

In scripture we are to be the salt of the earth (Mat.5:13) bringing two things, flavor (Job 6:6),  but also the Divine as salt was a symbol of purity in God's power and Holiness  (Ezk.16:4) and (Mark 9:50), not willing to accept false anything, but only stand love and unity in Truth. Salt represents Truth and while we as flesh cannot live without salt, neither can the Spirit in us live without Truth. Deprivation of either salt or Truth and people go insane. Salt is essential for the brain to function properly. To break Salt Covenant with each other as they were both God's people was to no longer desire truth or unity with the other or God. We look at the marriage covenant and although in the New Testament there are possible reasons for divorce, but it is not God's will. God's will is to forgive and for both to be closer to Him. 

Salt can be dissolved in water, but the salt still remains, much like a true believer can be in the world yet not of the world in how the world operates (Jam.6:13). In addition salt when exposed to extreme heat does not stop being salt as the real believer will not loose its flavor if subject to the fires of life (Mat.5:13; Mar.9:49-50; Luk.14:34). It should also be noted that salt was created by extreme pressure in the earth and so are true believers as they are put into the fires of life often so they can grow and become stronger and we will survive if we stand in Truth, love and unity. What we do to each other in the covenant we do to Him, good or bad and all people that are in Salt Covenant are VERY dependent on each other and God to even get through the fires of life. 

 

THE ARK of the Covenant- GOD'S PRESENCE in the Tabernacle (dwelling place of the Holy Spirit)   Top 


The Mosaic Law - One of the concepts that has been taught throughout the years is that Moses was handed down the law from the mountain by God directly. Normally when we think of Law we think of legalistic way of rule being one or the Law being over all, mainly because of what has happened in history. For example, it all started with the concept of love God and love thy neighbor as thyself. Then it went to the ten laws or commandments and when Jesus arrived on the scene man had increased the number of laws to about 627. Today in all of our wisdom there are more than 327,000 laws on the books. Now the humorous part of all of this is we have a tendency to look back on the Pharisees as they were into the law not understanding that we today are more than 1,0000 times worse than they ever were, all in an effort to make things better. The law throughout history has become rather overbearing and lost much of the original reason why the commandments were given to the people to begin with. 

In looking at the ten commandments we can see that the commandments were about respecting God and His ways and how to respect God, which was for the good of the people so they would not fall into the hands of oppressors and be in captivity as they once were with Egypt again in respecting God's ways and statutes. The basic point was respect God, each other and yourself and He will take care of things. The rest of the commandments were designed so we would not hurt each other. So when we look to the law and the commandments it is important to keep in mind why Israel was given the law to begin with. Another perhaps humorous thing the we look at in scripture is that while Moses was communing with God the people at the base of the mountain were building a golden calf and worshiping it. Mind you when looking back one does think it rather humorous to worship something like that if we do not look at how we view our jobs and how we make money today. The point of the lesson was and is if we are His people that He would care for us like a good Father. He is the supplier of all needs if we seek Him, His ways and desire to walk with Him, El Shaddai. Not jobs or golden calves. It does take an effort to learn to trust and usually we do not trust because we are not real trustworthy or we sin so we begin not to trust God or others. 

It was never God's desire and still is today, for His people to be in captivity by anyone or anything and we will not be if we walk closely with God. Moses received a revelation that there was one true God and if His people would follow the would be led out of Egypt, where at the time they were slaves because they had not walked with God before. Today as then if we do not learn to stand on His ways and His ordinances we all can fall into captivity and not realize often until it is too late. This is what happened to Israel again before Jesus arrived on the scene. Israel was the most powerful nation on earth as they did have God and found themselves surrounded by Rome little by little over a period of time to the point when Jesus was to be put to death there were to courts the Sanhedrin and the court controlled by Rome and after a short time after His transfiguration Israel had most of its power taken away by Rome and became persecuted. During the time of Jesus, Herod was King of Israel. Herod was not placed in authority by God but by Rome. Herod also had a temple built out of stone, which was also not of God. The point is, that God has always and will always dwell with His people daily, if His people walk with Him in His ways, not in a temple or church building.  

If you take a look at the sequence of events in God leading the people out of Egypt we can see that God was gracious and took care of them all of the way. It is true for us today. He shows His love and mercy and care and somewhere wants us to grow up and get the point that He is still there taking care of us even though we may not see Him or feel like He is there. He wants a people that will walk with Him in the good and the bad or whether we feel His presence or not. His commandments and promises are not based on us but based on Him and His Words to us. He is faithful even if we are not. Humans for some reason have a tendency to cross the line, even though we know we should not. If we do not cross the line we often like to go right up to the edge of the line. It is because of a lack of love and trust in Him because of the sin or iniquity in our own lives and because of that sin we are not trustworthy and think or believe He will do the same as we often do. He did make the promise of the promised land as He does with us today, however we all have to enter the promised land here by faith so we can enter the promised land at the end. 

Each of us either enter the promised land and walk with God or we come up with reasons why we can't. For example the mountains too big or too hard or perhaps the giants are too big. We are here and placed by Him to build the kingdom of God here on earth by faith and how that is done is the body working together as one body, but can only be done in His ministry which is the five fold gift ministry. When Israel did not move in faith God showed Israel that He is still faithful and that we as they were very dependent on God. They did have a spirit of community, that Spirit is still present today for those that focus on Him. As we all know only Joshua and Caleb and their families made it to the promised land because they stood on God's promise. While in the desert God gave Moses instruction in how to build the Tabernacle and the only way into the Tabernacle and be in the presence of God which is type cast in what Jesus did for us in showing us the way, but instead of just the high priest in Moses time that could entire into the Holy of Holies, all can entire into the Holy of Holies today because of what Jesus did for us in His death, burial and resurrection if we give our lives to Him. 

There Were 3 Basic Elements in the Mosaic Law - the commandments, the priesthood, and the Tabernacle and sacrifice for sin and instruction in how to build the Tabernacle (outer and inner courts). This was the approved way to God, and it was the way that He honored. Inside the Tabernacle was the Holy of Holies. The people were to learn and follow the pattern as the priests ministered inside the outer courts, only priests were allowed to enter.

The Commandments and why keep the Commandments: (Blessings then and today)  Top

Today in the church there is much discussion about the law and the church not being under the law, but the law of grace. This doctrine and teaching has caused for the most part a lot of confusion in either not understanding scripture or perhaps not wanting to understand scripture. The point of all scripture is that if we His people do things His way, we are blessed and He walks and cares or provides for us and if we do things our own way we are in rebellion and fall into curses. 

While it is true that most do accept nine of the commandments the one that comes up in the great debate is honoring the Sabbath and in the commandments we are to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work. This of course is not a popular stand and many think it not important, but the point of it is to do things God's way and not our own if we have the heart to do things God's way. When we do things our way we put ourselves over God. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge allows us to make our own choices, but then again that is not exactly surrendering our lives to God, which is what salvation is. Salvation is and always has been about God people walking with God and being focused on God and His ways. The opposite would also be true in doing things our own way probably should not be considered salvation, but sin and rebellion. It is true that Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath and told him stand and take up his bed. We are to care about people and their needs on the Sabbath.

One of the other great questions that arise is what about holding church on the Sabbath instead of Sunday. It all is a long argument that does not create unity or love. Arguments usually create confusion and discord, which is why they occur. People either know the right things to do or they do not. God is merciful and for those that do not understand His ways or are ignorant of His ways gives grace and grace abounds. For those that understand His ways but justify why we do what we do, He has little toleration for unless we repent, which means turning from our ways of doing things and choosing to do things His ways.

For discussion; if God always remembers His covenants then it would be safe to say He always remembers His covenants. Sounds simplistic but for some reason we tend to think that He forgets His covenants. The commandments is not really about rules although He does not want us to hurt others, but really about understanding how to get the blessing of God and how to walk with Him so He Tabernacles or dwells with us. We need Him to Tabernacle with us not only so we may have some sort of life in the future with Him in Salvation, but also for today in His provision and to keep us safe. He needs to defend us, not a weapon. He needs to care for us because we ALL need a lot of help as the body and as individuals in the body. His covenant is that if we learn to trust and walk with Him and do things His way, then He is bound by His own Words to care for us. After all that is the point of all of this. 

He does want us to get beyond just our needs. He does want to have a relationship with all people on earth. He does want for us to walk with Him daily and for us to focus on Him as Peter focused on Jesus when he got out of the boat. As long as Peter focused on Jesus he walked on water because Jesus told him to do so. When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus he began to sink. It is true for us today as well. We are not to get caught up in the things that are happening around us but to learn to stay focused on Him. It is much like being in the eye of the hurricane. In a hurricanes center there is a peace and a calm when all around is violence and destruction and only Jesus can take any of us to the eye of the storm.

One other thing that needs to be looked at is Christ. Christ is made of two parts. The first part is Jesus as He is the head. The second part is that we are the body of Christ. We, when we work together daily in love and unity can do all things as long as He is at the head. We are to pray for each other, walk with each other and care for each other. It is not so much because of us in the flesh but because He either dwells in us or not. His ways is to recognize Him in each of us that have given Him our lives. When we honor each other we honor Him. When we hurt each other we hurt Him also. Brothers and sisters if they are real brothers and sister will want to walk with each other and be around each other, not because of each other but because He is present when we gather in His name. It is one of the covenant promises that we have. Only real brother and sisters can walk together in agreement, because of the Spirit of God in each of us. When we are focused on Him, His will and His ways, we are edified and we grow. If we focus on the things of the world instead of Him then it is the flesh that is edified and will grow, which will always produce dead works.

It is possible for us to do all things through Christ, but each of us needs to be focused on Him, His ways and be willing to walk with each other so we can be in agreement, because that is where the power of God is in the body in agreeing, because we are in His Spirit and His Spirit in us, touching anything, it will be done. If we are not walking with Him and He not with us because we have our own agenda, which seems to be important unless something bad happens, then it is difficult to come together when something bad happens because we have not walked with Him and His ways and each other. Either we do walk with Him and each other or choose not to, but that is not His ways, but a spirit that works to separate the body. One definition of the ant-Christ is a spirit that works to keep the body and the members of the body separate from each other, because the enemy knows that a house divided against itself will fall. If falls because not walking together in love and unity.

In keeping the commandments, covenants and His ways allows us to walk with each other in love an