The Everlasting Covenant
Part IV
(The Perspective of the Abrahamic Covenant)
presented by Don R. Hender
" . . . finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest
for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers . . . " ~ Abraham
1:2
In one perspective the latest edition
of the Everlasting Covenant is that which is in the form of the Abrahamic
Covenant. As discussed, Abraham sought after that covenant set of promises
which rested in the blessings of the fathers, which in turn originated in
the Pre-mortal Counsel in Heaven. In establishing the covenant with Abraham,
the God had a particular exercise specific to Abraham so that Abraham would
have a greater appreciation for those roles which both the Father Elohim and
the Son Jehovah would play in that great 'Condescension of God' (1 Nephi
11:16-33) which is
also summed in that will known scripture that states, "For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believethin him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
It was as a young man that Abraham did seek after the blessings of the
fathers, and he became a 'rightful heir, a High Priest holding the right
belonging to the fathers (Abrham 1:2). According to Hebrew tradition Abraham
did sojourn to the household of Noah and according to the Doctrine and
Covenants Abraham was ordained to the priesthood under the hand of
Melchizedek, that is it was conferred upon him from the 'fathers' as it had
come down from the fathers, from the beginning, even before the foundation of
the earth, even the right of the firstborn or first man Adam through the
fathers to Abraham. This included both his appointment in the priesthood and
his position as to the ancestry of Jesus Christ, the promised Deliverer.
(Abraham 1:3)
"I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to
the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed." ~
Abraham 1:4
Now concerning 'the seed', this was spoken of in relation to mother Eve as
to 'her seed', meaning Jesus Christ, would have power to 'bruise' or crush the
head of the seed of Satan (Genesis 3:15). Thus the covenant included the
ancestry of the Messiah from the beginning and it was further 'renewed' in
and with Enoch who was the ancestor of Noah.
Blessed Is He Through Whose Seed Messiah Shall Come
"And the Lord said: Blessed is he through whose seed Messiah
shall come; for he saith—I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock
of Heaven, which is broad as eternity, whoso cometh in at the gate and
climbeth up by me shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy." ~
Moses 7:53
As the just quoted scripture reveals, the Ministering God, our Lord Jehovah,
who stands in the stead of the Father in all things, is he who is the same
as the Messiah, even Jesus Christ. And it is he who the Everlasting Covenant
does pronouce as our Deliverer. And further those of the covenant which was
the covenant bestowed upon Abraham, are those who are 'blessed' as being
'through whose seed Messiah shall [did] come'.
Before Abraham did leave the arena of Ur, he was already a High Priest holding
the priesthood of God from the fathers. Tradition sets out that Abraham had
a run-in with Nimrod. And the Book of Abraham further sets out that at one
juncture Abraham was in the process of being 'sacrificed unto the God's of
the false religion of the land' as so illustrated in facsimile 1 from the
Book of Abraham (Abrham 1:5-20). Thus it was doublely hard for Abraham to follow the direct
command of God latter when he in turn was commandd of God to sacrifice his
own son, for he knew of the experience of being set as a sacrifice himself.
So when Abraham went to sacrifice his own son Isaac a multitude of thoughts
and emotions were present in Abraham, he knowing it was a 'pagan' practice to
sacrifice a child unto any God. Thus Abraham's faith was more greatly tested.
He was losing the son of 'the promised seed', the ancestor to the Messiah,
he was killing his own most beloved son Isaac in a manner which he himself
was once almost sacrificed in Ur.
The Covenant Descent
"And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac,
and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;" ~
D&C 27:10
From Abraham, the covenant was transfered to Isaac then Jacob whom the Lord
did rename Israel. And from Israel unto Joseph as signified by his coat of
many colors. And then by the very hand of Jacob was the covenant bestowed upon
Joseph's younger son Ephraim. And it is through Ephraim and the seed thereof
that the blessing of the Covenant are fulfilled unto the blessing of every
nation, kindred, tongue and people who ever have, do and will live in the flesh
upon the earth. Now as Ephraim is and was heir of the covenant, not Judah,
it may be well to consider just how Ephraim
plays out as the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And it is also
to the seed of Ephraim that we look to the fulfillment of the Covenant of
Abraham in bring the blessing of the covenant, the Everlasting Covenant,
to every nation kindred, tongue and people in the latter days.
|
|
Elements of the Covenant of Abraham, the Everlasting Covenant
In any covenant agreement, there are matters to which both parties must
offer and agree to. In simplest terms God the Father has promised to provide
us, his spirit children, a redeemer and deliverer, Jesus Christ, based upon
our acceptance of him and the Father's plan, as well as the willing effort to
live the laws and commandments of God. Further given in LDS Bible Dictionary under
'Abraham, Covenant of' such performances of sub-covenants are listed such as
baptism, the conference of the priesthood, celestial marriage and so forth
which would also include the eventual priesthood authority action in
relation to one's resurrection. As Christ taught, the meek and humble of the
earth who do come unto him will inherit the earth as a 'land inheritance'.
And all may become a part and party of the House of Israel through the
operations of the latter day Church of Jesus Christ.
|