The Bible is composed of different types of writings. For example, we have history, poetry, prophecy, and other writings. Yet, the Bible itself claims divine inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When one begins to examine the available manuscripts, it is found that 99.5 % are in total agreement. Those that disagree have to do with different spelling, and arrangement, and other markings. When compared with other ancient writings none compare with the Bible.
Christians know the truth of the Bible because they have experienced the reality of God as manifested through Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Answered prayer, healings, signs, and miracles also confirmed the veracity of the Bible (Mark 16:20, Galatians 3:17, Hebrews 2:3, 6:17, 2 Peter.1:19).
So, the Bible was given by divine inspiration and confirmed by many witnesses. Now it behooves us to apply it as God intended. And that brings us to realize that the Bible speaks of several different covenants that were in operation at various times for different reasons.
THE COVENANTS
The Noahic covenant preserved the human race during the time of the flood and is for all time as testified by the rainbow.(Genesis 9:14-16)
The Abrahamic covenant was established by God to Abraham and His Seed (Galatians 3:16) to establish a nation through whom Messiah would come. The assurance given is Faith (Genesis 15:6). The New Covenant has its roots in the Abrahamic covenant.
The Mosaic covenant came out of the Abrahamic covenant which was established to reveal Messiah through types and shadows because the people living under this covenant did not have the Spirit of God living in them as we do today under the New Covenant. The Mosaic covenant was time-limited. It was operative until Jesus was revealed (Luke 16:16). The moral law of God revealed in the Mosaic covenant is still true, but the ceremonial law is not – it was given in types and shadows which have now been fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17).
The New Covenant is the one we live under today. It far exceeds the requirements, provisions, and blessings of the Mosaic covenant. Perhaps the greatest advantage is that Jesus lives in the redeemed spirit of believers today. To get a better understanding of this, read Hebrews 7-10 and rejoice that you ARE living under the New Covenant!
SO HOW DOES ALL THIS HELP US?
When reading Scripture we need to see to whom it was addressed and understand what covenant they were living under. Too often we do not do this and misinterpret the meaning of the passage.
Here is a very obvious example: a few years ago I was listening to Christian radio and heard a Pastor say that God had wings with feathers. He was attempting to exegete Psalm 91 where it says, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge, His truth shall be your shield and buckler,” This was possibly written by Moses who understood God being outside us doing something for us.(Exodus 33:22) Obviously, God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, immutable, transcendent, imminent, and can do as He pleases, but always keeps His word! He can reveal Himself in ways outside us but the primary way He reveals Himself today is within the spirit of the redeemed.
Another Scripture that is often misused is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Numerous times I have heard this quoted at prayer meetings where the ‘my people’ was taken to mean Americans! This was given by God during the Mosiac covenant and has no specific reference to anyone but Israelites at that time. BUT can be used correctly by any person who has made Jesus their Lord by meeting the conditions!