The Resurrection through the Lens of Covenant
Covenant can be defined as an agreement between God and man that cannot be broken. Covenant is the framework for all of the events in the Bible. The covenants of the Bible come in a consecutive series that logically build upon one another:
Adam and Eve - In Genesis 1:26, God bestows upon humanity the authority to govern earth. This sets the stage for the fulfilling the prophetic promise of Genesis 3:15, where the "seed" of woman would ultimately overcome evil.
Noah - To assure the preservation of creation, God establishes the "rainbow covenant" (Genesis 9:11), signaling the renewal, rather than the annihilation, of the universe—a concept echoed in Revelation 21.
Abraham - Through the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3; 17:2-8), God extends blessings and promises land inheritance. This covenant builds upon those made with Adam and Noah, granting Abraham authority to reclaim the earth. It is through Abraham that the seed destined to conquer evil shall emerge.
Judah - The covenant's continuity from Abraham to Judah (Genesis 49:10) safeguards the Jewish people, ensuring their perpetuity (Jeremiah 31:36-37) and their pivotal role in welcoming Yeshua's return (Matthew 23:39).
Moses - The covenant at Sinai binds Israel to uphold moral laws, a pact they eventually breach. This breach necessitates a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-33), achievable only through supernatural intervention, for the redemption of the Jewish people.
David - God's covenant with David (Psalm 89:3-4, 28-29, 34-37) guarantees an everlasting reign from Jerusalem.
The Final Piece
Indeed, the resurrection is the final piece of the puzzle needed to fulfill God’s promise to King David about the coming messianic king:
“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son…Your house and your kingdom shall endure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.” (2 Samuel 7:12- 14,16)
Photo: Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, Israel.
Dead Kings Can’t Reign
God had promised to send a king who would be a son of David, who would reign over the whole world and whose kingdom would never end. One basic fact should be apparent here: a king can’t reign over an eternal kingdom if he’s dead! Even the greatest of kings – even the king of Babylon, even David! – died, were buried and decayed. But God’s anointed king, the Son of David who would reign eternally, conquered death by rising from the dead. That’s why the resurrection is so often tied together with proclaiming the good news that God had declared His anointed Messiah to be that death conquering king.
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Fifteen years ago, the National Leadership Center (NLC) in Ariel was born from Heather Johnston's vision: to develop leadership in Israel, reconnect with roots, and foster faith. Today, that vision shines brighter than ever as the NLC stands as a source of strength during one of Israel's most challenging years.