This topic is one of the main themes of the bible. There is hardly a passage of scripture that doesn't have some relevance to God's promises and His requirements. There is not really an 'Old covenant vs New Covenant' shift in the way God deals with His creation. Rather, His intent to have a father-child relationship with mankind has been a constant from the day He created Adam.
The first binding agreement was between God and Abram, later renamed Abraham. In the first book of the bible, Genesis, the Lord calls Abram out of Haran and tells him to 'go to the land I will show you.' He promises to make Abram into a great nation, telling him he would have a great name and be a blessing to all peoples on earth. Abram heads to Canaan with these promises as his only security.
Genesis chapter 15 relates the actual making of the covenant, in which the Lord prophesies about Abram's descendants. The ceremony is performed as a sign to Abram that he would really get possession of the 'promised land'. A blazing torch passes between pieces of sacrificed animals while Abram is in a deep sleep; presumably he sees and hears the Lord promise to give him the land from Egypt to the Euphrates River in a dream.
The Lord renewed His covenant with Isaac, Abraham's son by his wife Sarah, and later with Jacob. Many people consider the law of Moses part of this agreement. However, others consider the law as simply a set of rules, much like the regulations that govern our lives today. We can't drive a car in any way we choose, for example, but must follow the rules of the road.
The intent of the Lord has always been to establish relationship with His creation. Adam and Eve were given much but chose to take the only thing they were forbidden. The law of Moses included God's provision of a way for man to atone for sin by sacrificing animals.
Even in the days when the first agreement was still in force, the scriptures foretold the second one which would do away with ritual animal sacrifice and substitute the body and blood of our savior, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament contains many prophetic passages that tell of the coming Messiah. Belief in Jesus and sincere repentance of sin would be the new way to salvation.
There is a difference between the first and second covenants, but it's not such a dramatic shift as some think. God has always wanted man's obedience and recognition of His sovereignty. He always extended unconditional love but demanded justice as well. The blood of animals paid for sin at first, and then the blood of Jesus was shed as payment.
Under both covenants, the state of a person's heart is the real test. No sacrifice could or can replace a sincere love of God and dedication to obedience and worship.
The first binding agreement was between God and Abram, later renamed Abraham. In the first book of the bible, Genesis, the Lord calls Abram out of Haran and tells him to 'go to the land I will show you.' He promises to make Abram into a great nation, telling him he would have a great name and be a blessing to all peoples on earth. Abram heads to Canaan with these promises as his only security.
Genesis chapter 15 relates the actual making of the covenant, in which the Lord prophesies about Abram's descendants. The ceremony is performed as a sign to Abram that he would really get possession of the 'promised land'. A blazing torch passes between pieces of sacrificed animals while Abram is in a deep sleep; presumably he sees and hears the Lord promise to give him the land from Egypt to the Euphrates River in a dream.
The Lord renewed His covenant with Isaac, Abraham's son by his wife Sarah, and later with Jacob. Many people consider the law of Moses part of this agreement. However, others consider the law as simply a set of rules, much like the regulations that govern our lives today. We can't drive a car in any way we choose, for example, but must follow the rules of the road.
The intent of the Lord has always been to establish relationship with His creation. Adam and Eve were given much but chose to take the only thing they were forbidden. The law of Moses included God's provision of a way for man to atone for sin by sacrificing animals.
Even in the days when the first agreement was still in force, the scriptures foretold the second one which would do away with ritual animal sacrifice and substitute the body and blood of our savior, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament contains many prophetic passages that tell of the coming Messiah. Belief in Jesus and sincere repentance of sin would be the new way to salvation.
There is a difference between the first and second covenants, but it's not such a dramatic shift as some think. God has always wanted man's obedience and recognition of His sovereignty. He always extended unconditional love but demanded justice as well. The blood of animals paid for sin at first, and then the blood of Jesus was shed as payment.
Under both covenants, the state of a person's heart is the real test. No sacrifice could or can replace a sincere love of God and dedication to obedience and worship.