The Promise of the Messiah Chapter 7

God’s Promise to Adam & Eve * The Protoevangelium – Latin for “first Gospel.” I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, and you will strike his heel. (Genesis 3:15) * Literal and Spiritual Interpretations: * Literal sense – explains why snakes and people don’t get along * Spiritual sense – God’s first promise (covenant) to send a Savior to free humanity from the effects of the Fall. * Jesus as new Adam/Mary as new Eve – they will restore humanity’s original holiness and justice that was lost by Adam and Eve.

The Old Testament Covenants Ancient Israel is unique – they enter into covenants with God – not with other kingdoms. God initiates the covenants and stays faithful to them. God communicates his love for humanity and his desire to restore our communion with him. These covenants point us to the Paschal Mystery – the redemption of all humanity through Christ’s Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

The Covenant with Noah To never again send a flood to kill all life on earth (Genesis 9: 8-17). Sign of the covenant is the rainbow (Genesis 9:14-15). Importance: Covenant is universal – extends to all nations of the earth (Genesis 10:32) Nations always in danger of polytheism – the false belief in many gods, also nation worship/king worship. Covenant with Noah assures us that God is still at work among these nations.

The Abrahamic Covenant (I) God calls a Chosen People to have a special role in his plan to restore humanity’s holiness and justice. God initiates a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) God promises Abraham 3 things: (1) many descendants; a great nation, (2) a land of their own, and (3) to make Abraham and his descendants a blessing for all the nations (shows how to live in a right relationship with the one true God). Abraham’s descendants = Hebrews=Israelites=Jews.

The Abrahamic Covenant (2) God asks Abraham & descendants to commit to: (1) to walk with God-to recognize the one, true God. (2) to be blameless – to live a life without sin. (3) to practice circumcision – physical mark of the covenant.

The Mosaic Covenant The theophany at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:16-25) Dramatic signs of God’s presence – show the importance of what is to come. God summons Moses to the mountaintop – renews with Moses the Covenant he had with Abraham. God gives Moses the Law – summarized by the Ten Commandments. Keeping the Law = sign of faithfulness; breaking the Law = unfaithfulness to the Covenant. Torah – Hebrew for “law” – first 5 books of the OT.

The Davidic Covenant King David wishes to build a Temple to hold the Ark of the Covenant. The prophet Nathan tells David no; that his son will build the Temple. God promises David that “your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.” “house” = bloodline; line of descendants. Jesus Christ is a direct descendant of King David; the Kingdom of God endures forever.

Ark of the Covenant

Prophecies of a Messiah Old Testament Covenants – point us to something more. That “something more” is revealed in the messianic prophecies in the OT (p. 82 & 83). Prophets were God’s instruments of hope to his Chosen People. Prophets spoke of a messiah/savior to deliver the people from their earthly and spiritual bondage. Messiah – “anointed one.” Jesus Christ brings the ancient Covenants and prophecies to fulfillment.

Moses Great OT prophet – “God’s voice” The Lord knew him “face to face” (Deut 34:10) From the Tribe of Levi; raised as an Egyptian by the Pharaoh’s daughter Freed Israelites from slavery in Egypt Persevered, trusted God, allowed God to work through him Shaped Israel to be a people of the Covenant