Wisdom's Corner
The Suzerainty Covenant

The title of this Wisdom's Corner has a very hard word to say. It is not very important that you know how to say 'suzerainty'. But it is important to know what it means.

There were two types of covenants in ancient times. One was a parity covenant. This was where two parties who were equal bound themselves together in a contract. The other covenant was the suzerainty covenant. This was an agreement between a strong party and a weak party. For example, a strong nation might overpower a weak nation. The victors would agree to protect the weaker nation if the weaker nation would keep certain rules.

God had this type of covenant with Israel. In Exodus 19:4-6 we read, "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, the ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."

As long as Israel obeyed God they remained under the care of His covenant. But when they finally rejected Him and His Son, they were no longer His special people. The old covenant was nailed to the cross and now there is a new suzerainty covenant. This covenant is with Christians.

Study the Bible. Learn what is necessary for you to do under God's new covenant. He loves you and wants to take care of you. Until next time, keep reading your Bible.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1999

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)