That’s what covenant is all about: relationship.

When Tim Challies strongly recommends a book, I usually enjoy it and learn a lot too. Such is the case with David Murray’s, Jesus on Every Page: Ten Simply Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament.

Today’s reading from the chapter entitled Christ’s Promises contained this gem:

“Previous administrations of the covenant of grace, especially the Mosaic administration, were so encumbered with external elements and ceremonies as to be comparatively carnal. The new covenant is more spiritual, more focused on the inward life. The covenants in both Testaments reveal a God who desires relationship with His people, a desire that finds ultimate spiritual satisfaction only through Jesus Christ.

The presentations of the covenant of grace through the mini-covenants of the Old Testament were preparatory and temporary. The new covenant is the final presentation of the covenant of grace in this present world. It will give way only to the eternal enjoyment of the covenant relationship in the new heaven and new earth. And that’s what covenant is all about: relationship.

All the Old Testament covenants consistently present a God who seeks a relationship with fallen sinners. The new covenant promises also have relationship at their very core. Jeremiah conveyed God’s words: “I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” Jesus was the fulfillment of this covenant promise. He is Immanuel, “God with us.” He brings His people into a saving relationship with God. And He will ultimately perfect that relationship too:

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:3-5 ESV)