Is Every Promise Yes Old Testament Promises the

Is Every Promise “Yes”? Old Testament Promises & the Christian Jason S. De. Rouchie, Ph. D Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology Bethlehem College & Seminary www. jasonderouchie. com February 23, 2017

The Challenge & Need for Christians to Claim Old Testament Promises § The importance of God’s promises in the believer’s life o Their importance in our pursuit of holiness § 2 Peter 1: 4. [God] has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

§ Facing sample challenges with God’s promises: o o Anxiety (Matthew 6: 33; Philippians 4: 6– 7) Lust (Matthew 5: 8, 29– 30) Fear of man (Matthew 10: 28– 31) Fear of failure (Philippians 1: 6; Jeremiah 32: 40)

o Their importance in supplying hope amidst suffering § Ps 119: 50. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

§ Which promises are for Christians? o 2 Corinthians 1: 20. All the promises find their Yes in [Jesus]. o Deuteronomy 28: 1, 3– 6. And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD God, . . . blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

§ The New Testament’s application of Old Testament promises to Christians o Romans 12: 19. Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” [see Deuteronomy 32: 35]. o Hebrews 13: 5– 6. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. ” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? ” [see Joshua 1: 5; Psalm 118: 6].

Five Foundational Principles 1. Christians benefit from Old Testament promises only through Christ. o Galatians 3: 7– 9. Know then that it is those of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall the nations be blessed. ’ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham the man of faith [see Genesis 12: 3; 22: 18].

o Genesis 22: 17 b– 18. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall the nations of the earth be blessed. o Galatians 3: 16, 29. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings, ” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring, ” who is Christ. ” … And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise [see Genesis 17: 8]. o 2 Corinthians 1: 20. For all the promises of God find their Yes in [Christ]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Foundational Principles 1. Christians benefit from Old Testament promises only through Christ. God makes promises to Abraham and his seed. ➤ Christ is the seed. ➤ Faith unites Union with us to Christ ➤ makes us seed with him. ➤ We become heirs of the promises.

2. All old covenant curses become new covenant curses. o Deuteronomy 30: 6– 7. And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you [see Romans 2: 28– 29]. o Genesis 12: 3. Him who dishonors you I will curse.

o Deuteronomy 32: 35– 36. “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly. ” For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants [see Romans 12: 19; Hebrew 10: 30].

Foundational Principles 1. Christians benefit from Old Testament promises only through Christ. 2. All old covenant curses become new covenant curses.

3. As part of the new covenant, Christians inherit the old covenant’s original and restoration blessings. o 2 Corinthians 7: 1. Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. o 2 Corinthians 6: 16. What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ”

2 Corinthians 6: 16 Leviticus 26: 1, 11– 12 (original blessing) What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ” If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, . . . I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. Ezekiel 37: 27 (restoration blessing) My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Foundational Principles 1. Christians benefit from Old Testament promises only through Christ. 2. All old covenant curses become new covenant curses. 3. As part of the new covenant, Christians inherit the old covenant’s original and restoration blessings.

4. Through the Spirit, some blessings of the Christian’s inheritance are already enjoyed, whereas others are not yet. o Ephesians 1: 3, 13– 14. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. . In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. o 1 Peter 3: 9– 12 (citing Psalm 34: 12– 16).

5. All true Christians will persevere and thus receive our full inheritance. o Hebrews 6: 7– 12.

Foundational Principles 1. Christians benefit from Old Testament promises only through Christ. 2. All old covenant curses become new covenant curses. 3. As part of the new covenant, Christians inherit the old covenant’s original and restoration blessings. 4. Through the Spirit, some blessings of the Christian’s inheritance are already enjoyed, whereas others are not yet. 5. All true Christians will persevere and thus receive our full inheritance.

Guidelines for Appropriating Old Testament Promises 1. Celebrate that in Christ, all God’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes”––both blessings and curses. o 2 Corinthians 1: 20. All the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus Christ].

§ Blessings. In Christ believers inherit all the blessings of Scripture. o o Galatians 3: 14. In Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham [has] come to the Gentiles. Ephesians 1: 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

§ Curses o o Those in Christ will not experience the curse in a punitive way. • Galatians 3: 13. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. • Romans 5: 9. Since. . . we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the [ultimate] wrath of God. Old covenant curses become new covenant curses. 1. Supplying a means of grace to the elect to generate reverent fear of God leading to holiness. 2. Declaring lasting punishment on all enemies of God and his people. § Genesis 12: 3. The one who dishonors you I will curse [see also Deuteronomy 30: 7].

Guidelines 1. Celebrate that in Christ, all God’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes”––both blessings and curses.

2. Affirm that while all the Bible’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes” in Christ, they are not yet all fully realized. o Ephesians 1: 13– 14. [We] were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. o 1 Peter 1: 3– 4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

The Overlap of the Ages Sin ➤ No enslavement or condemnation Brokenness & Decay ➤ Growth in Faith and Hope Death ➤ Gain

Guidelines 1. Celebrate that in Christ, all God’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes”––both blessings and curses. 2. Affirm that while all the Bible’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes” in Christ, they are not yet all fully realized.

3. Consider how Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament hopes influences our appropriation of Old Testament promises.

o Old Testament promises maintained (no extension) § Resurrection to life or contempt o o Daniel 12: 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. John 5: 28– 29. An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear [the Son of Man’s] voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

o o 1 Corinthians 15: 20, 23. Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…. Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. John 11: 25. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

o Old Testament promises maintained (with extension) § Divine presence with Joshua o o Joshua 1: 5– 6. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Hebrews 13: 5. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. ”

God Maintains the Promise of His Presence (with Extension) God promises to be with Joshua as he leads God’s people into the Promised Land. ➤ All those following Joshua would also enjoy God’s presence. ➤ Joshua’s name and role points ahead to Jesus, the greater Joshua. ➤ Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us, ” who is leading God’s people into a greater Promised Land. ➤ All those following Jesus also enjoy God’s presence.

§ Servant as a light to the nations o Isaiah 49: 3, 6. You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified…. It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

§ Servant as a light to the nations o Isaiah 49: 3, 6. You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified…. It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

§ Servant as a light to the nations o o o Isaiah 49: 3, 6. You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified…. It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Acts 26: 22– 23. I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles. Acts 13: 47. The Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (see also Isaiah 52: 7 in Romans 10: 15).

God Maintains the Promise of Serving as a Light to the Nations (with Extension) God promises that his servant would be a light to the nations. ➤ Christ is this servant -light. ➤ Faith unites Union with us to Christ ➤ makes us servants with him. ➤ We join Christ as lights to the nations.

§ God’s dwelling with his people. o God promises to dwell and walk among his people as a moveable temple. ➤ Lev 26: 11– 12. I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. Christ is God’s temple. ➤ Faith unites Union with us to Christ ➤ makes us God’s temple. ➤ God is presently building his temple, which will fill all things.

§ Similar maintained promises with extension: o o God makes promises to Israel. ➤ Isa 41: 10. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Jer 29: 11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. As king, Christ represents the people; he is “Israel. ” ➤ All God’s promises find their Yes in Christ. ➤ Faith unites All those us to Christ. united to ➤ Christ will enjoy the promises God gave to Israel.

o Old Testament promises completed § Ruler from Bethlehem o Micah 5: 2, 4– 5. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days…. And he shall stand shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.

o Old Testament promises completed § Ruler from Bethlehem o o Micah 5: 2, 4– 5. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days…. And he shall stand shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. Matthew 2: 6. And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

o Old Testament promises transformed § Abraham and his offspring inherit Canaan o o Genesis 17: 5, 8. I have made you the father of a multitude of nations…. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God. Romans 4: 13. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

o Old Testament promises transformed § Abraham and his offspring inherit Canaan o o o Genesis 17: 5, 8. I have made you the father of a multitude of nations…. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God. Romans 4: 13. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Galatians 3: 16. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to his offsprings, ” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring, ” who is Christ…. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise [see Genesis 13: 15; 17: 8; 24: 7].

o o Genesis 22: 17 b– 18. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall the nations of the earth be blessed. Genesis 26: 3– 4. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Matthew 5: 5. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. See also Ephesians 6: 3; Hebrews 11: 13– 16.

God Transforms the Promise of Land to Include the Whole World for All His People God promises Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan and more lands. ➤ They will inherit all these lands when the promised serves as a blessing to the nations. ➤ Christ is the promised seed in whom the land promises find their “Yes. ” ➤ Union with Christ by faith makes us heirs of all the promises. ➤ Christians will inherit the world.

Guidelines 1. Celebrate that in Christ, all God’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes”––both blessings and curses. 2. Affirm that while all the Bible’s promises (old and new) are already “Yes” in Christ, they are not yet all fully realized. 3. Consider how Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament hopes influences our appropriation of Old Testament promises (maintaining with no extension, maintaining with extension, completing, or transforming).

Old Testament Promises through the “Lens” of Christ