COVENANTING PREDICTED IN PROPHECY.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being
approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is
accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in
periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the
service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though
corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because
that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets,
we should receive it as transmitted by them, in a manner peculiarly
calculated to invite attention. A statute tells what, according to the
authority of God, ought to be done. The revelation of God's purposes
unfolds precisely the same things as to be done, but according to his
sovereign arrangements made to lead to them. Prophecy declares, indeed,
the purposes of God, but specially the carrying of them into effect in
individual cases. In the purposes of God, each fact agreeable to his
will is provided for. In prophecy, such of these facts as he has
resolved to make known are presented. The reality of the pre-intimation
of these shows their importance, and points out that preparation ought
to be made for them. The assurance that a fact of Covenanting is
predicted is a substantial argument for its lawfulness. The individuals,
to perform it, may be urged by a variety of motives; yea, even by the
promise in reference to their doing of it, without knowing at the time
that they were the special objects of the promise. The argument from
prophecy derives its value from two things,--that the subject of
prophetic intimation, as provided for by the Lord himself, is
warranted, and, that it is beyond the power of men either to fulfil it
otherwise than he has arranged, or to prevent its accomplishment.
Prophecy describes, with precision, facts that will take place. Men are
brought into the circumstances to which a prophecy refers, and they may
be ignorant of the fact. Afterwards they know it, and attest the verity
of the prediction. The descriptions afforded in prophecy concerning the
circumstances of the truth predicted are not given to provide these
circumstances, for that is done according to a sovereign Divine
arrangement; but are afforded to show, after the fulfilment, that the
truth was indeed that which had been foretold. Prophecies, that duty
will be done, lead men to it, not as attracted by its circumstances, but
as directed by the Divine counsel.
Prophecy, therefore, independently of its fulfilment, affords a reason
for Covenanting. Properly authenticated, it has the force of an
important argument. Shown to be prophecy, both by the circumstances in
which it was uttered, and by the fulfilment, it is manifestly conducive
to the duty. The fulfilment of prophecy is a scriptural test of its
truth; but manifestations made of Divine approbation to the prophet,
even before what was uttered by him was fulfilled, also attest that such
was of God. It is the prophecy, as authenticated by one or other, or
both of these things, that gives encouragement to perform the service.
Did God speak by his servants in order to inform men, that his name
should be called upon, in vowing and swearing unto him? Then, because of
such a peculiar manifestation of his will, the duty behoves to be
performed. If the dictation of his will as a law in reference to the
service had been sufficient, he would not otherwise have enjoined it.
And if his will manifested in that manner confers obligation, does not
the revelation of it, in the condescending, though glorious language of
prophecy, as well as otherwise, bind to duty? Shall he use any means to
make his pleasure known, of which men, by giving obedience, will not
testify their approbation? Shall God speak, and yet men not respond?
Covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to Old Testament
times. The prophecies under this head may be divided into those of the
earlier prophets, and those of the later. The first class includes in
it, those of Jacob and Moses, and others, who were employed to predict
the future circumstances of Israel. Referring to the Church of God as a
covenant society, in general they foretold that the exercise of
Covenanting should be performed by its members. As an instance of
explicit references made to the duty, we may advert to the blessing of
Moses on the tribe of Levi.[762] That prophecy, though not limited to
the periods of the former dispensations, may be considered as specially
including in it a prospective regard to every act of Covenanting, in
which the Church and nation of Israel as such engaged after it was
delivered. The predictions of the later prophets in regard to
Covenanting in the former ages, were fulfilled, on the return of the
Jews from Babylon.[763] They were so explicit, and so soon fulfilled, as
to afford most emphatically an exhibition of the will of God in regard
to their object.
Covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to New Testament
times. Both in the first and in the later ages, the performance of the
duty in these ages was foretold. It was intimated when it was said
concerning the Messiah,--"Unto him shall the gathering of the people
be."[764] Many prophecies uttered concerning the restoration of Israel,
refer to the present dispensation; and consequently, the predicted
exercises of Covenanting which these contain, to it also belong.[765]
Corresponding to the prophetic intimation concerning a people who should
be created to praise the Lord, is that of a new heavens and a new earth;
both are to be fulfilled in gospel times, and by those who were to be
created, engaging in the duty of taking hold on God's covenant.[766] The
Saviour was promised for a covenant of the people, and for a light of
the Gentiles; and also that he might establish the earth, to cause to
inherit the desolated heritages.[767] The last of the Old Testament
prophets, at the same time that he speaks of the covenant of the
priesthood having been broken by the Jews, who were unbelievers,
uttering the prediction,--"My name shall be great among the
Gentiles,"[768] pre-intimates that all the heathen nations shall use the
name of God in vowing and swearing unto him. Early was uttered the
prophecy,--"God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents
of Shem."[769] An illustration of it is given in these words,--"Is he
the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the
Gentiles also?"[770] Its reference to Covenanting is therefore manifest.
Many passages besides, from the Old Testament prophets, show that the
Gentiles in their national capacities shall vow and swear to God.[771]
And in the book of Revelation, the same is foretold.[772] Explicit
predictions are made concerning the Egyptians vowing a vow and
performing it, and concerning the Assyrians along with them and Israel
being reckoned as the Lord's people, which fall to be fulfilled in the
later times.[773] And by the voice of prophecy we are assured, that by
Covenanting, in the last days, Israel and Judah shall be gathered and
united as the Lord's people. By the breaking of the staff "Beauty," a
prophet was called to signify that the Lord's covenant with Israel was
broken; and by the cutting of the other staff, "Bands," he was directed
to show, that the brotherhood--certainly one which had been professedly
by covenant, between Judah and Israel should be broken.[774] But even an
earlier prophet, by the use of the corresponding emblems,--of one stick
for Judah and Israel his companions, and another for Ephraim and all the
house of Israel his companions, in joining them into one stick, was
commissioned to testify to their being joined to one another, in taking
the Lord for their God, in the latter day.[775] Referring to the words
of sacred psalmody,--"Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord,
among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name;"[776] as prophetic,
an apostle unfolds the exercise of Covenanting as incumbent till the
latest times. Yea, as a fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the
service, in the loftiest terms, is foretold. "Thou hast ascended on
high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men;
yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among
them."[777]
Hence, in conclusion. How important to attend to such prophetic
intimations! They are the word of God. They were indeed addressed
through men, but their origin is Divine. They are addressed to us. In
times past God spake unto the Fathers by the prophets; he still speaks
to us in his word. By the authority of the Lord Jesus, we are commanded
to search the Scriptures;--the Old Testament as dictated by his Spirit,
and the New as also from Him. While we read his word, he speaks to us
from heaven. Let us not be slow of heart to believe all that the
prophets have written.
FOOTNOTES:
[762] Deut. xxxiii. 8-10.
[763] Some of these are contained in Is. x. 22; xxviii. 15-22; Jer. l.
5.
[764] Gen. xlix. 10.
[765] See Jer. xxxi. 31-34, and Heb. viii. 8; Ezek. xxxiv. 25; xxxvii.
26; as instances.
[766] Ps. cii. 18-22; Is. lxv. 16, 17.
[767] Is. xlii. 6; xlix. 8.
[768] Mal. i. 11.
[769] Gen. ix. 27.
[770] Rom. iii. 29.
[771] Ps. xxii. 27; Is. lii. 15; Zech. ii. 14.
[772] Rev. xi. 15; xv. 4.
[773] Is. xix. 18-25.
[774] Zech. xi. 10, 14.
[775] Ezek. xxxvii. 15-28.
[776] Ps. xviii. 49.
[777] Ps. lxviii. 18; see also Zech. ii. 11.