God, serious matters of life, covenants, and betrayals(Understanding Divine Order)

Text Jer 31:31-34; Matthew 26:23-; 28; Amos 3:3

God has established covenants in serious matters of life, in which there are promises of blessings and wrath.

A covenant is an agreement in a relationship, e.g., between God and us to do or not to do something. Covenant of life through Noah (Genesis 9:12-16); those who contribute to human life are blessed. Covenant of God’s special blessings by faith through Abraham (Genesis 17:1-2; Galatians 3:14). Covenant of marriage (Gen 2:23-24; Mal 2:13-16). The unfaithful in marriage is not blessed (Prov. 11:29), the OT salvation covenant (Jer 31:31-34). Those who receive the salvation are blessed, those who did not perish. NT salvation in Jesus is for those who believe (Matthew 26:23-30); the others shall perish (John 3:16). God also respects and honours covenants established by human beings ( Matt 18:19-20). E.g. Joshua (6:26; 1 Kings 16:34 ); the Recabites (Jer 35); the early church (Acts 5:1-11).

Betrayals and the betrayed.

God gives divine favour to those who are betrayed but those who betray others incur divine wrath. Betrayal means "an act of deliberate disloyalty; Wherever there is human suffering, hurt, either personal or communal, there is betrayal.

Examples: The sin of Achan betrayed the whole community (Joshua 7). David instructed Joab to withdraw the army from Uriah when the war intensified, so that Uriah would be killed (2 Samuel 11:14).

Ahithophel switched camps and betrayed David and died (2 Sam 15:31; 17:23-25 ). The enemy was able to conquer Samson because Delilah betrayed him (Judges 16). The authorities needed someone to help them, and so they found Judas, who betrayed Jesus (Mark 14:10-11).

How do you avoid being betrayed by someone? First, God will give you the signs of betrayal, which you

must engage with the person.

What happens to those who betray others? They automatically incur divine wrath.