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The first mention of berith olam, "an age-abiding covenant", is in Gen. 9: 16, where
God sets His bow in the cloud as a "reminder" ("that I may remember") of His covenant
with all flesh. Now this covenant was made notwithstanding the fact that "the
imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Gen. 8: 21), and in close
association with the "sweet savour of rest" that spoke of the offering of Christ. So with
Israel. Abram's name was changed to Abraham, and the Lord said:--
"I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their
generations for an age-abiding covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after
thee, And I will give unto thee, and to they seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings,
all the land of Canaan, for an age-abiding possession; and I will be their God"
(Gen. 17: 7, 8).
Though Israel broke this age-abiding covenant (Isa. 24: 5), yet in the person of their
Messiah that covenant is established (Isa. 55: 3 and 61: 8). This age-abiding covenant
lies behind the new covenant which was sealed by the blood of Christ (Jer. 32: 40 and
xxxi 31-37). Perhaps there is no more marvelous setting for this covenant, nor a passage
that emphasizes its utter independence of human merit than Ezek. 16: 60. Charges are
made against Israel in Ezek. 16: that reveal a condition that dwarfs the sin of Sodom "as
a very little thing (16: 47), and by comparison can justify the words "they (Sodom and
Samaria) are more righteous than thou" (16: 52). Then come the words of verse 60:--
"Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I
will establish with thee an age-abiding covenant."
All this is set forth in the table of shewbread. Twelve loaves show Israel complete and
undivided before the Lord. These twelve loaves are all unleavened, Israel's righteousness
is fully provided for in Jehovah Tsidneku. "Pure" frankincense above, and a "pure" table
beneath, indicate their perfect acceptance in the Beloved. Here is a "reminder" of that
"age-abiding covenant" that glorifies the end of Ezek. 16:, and will glorify the end of
this stiff-necked and gain-saying people.
The shewbread and service.
Returning to our
(Eph. 5: 27) the "offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour" (Eph. 5: 2).
For us no type or symbol is necessary. "The bread of presence" is expressed for the
church once and for ever in the blessed words, "Accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1: 6),
and "Made meet" (Col. 1: 12).