ECCE

      This ministry was named by the LORD after His everlasting covenant. This fall, the ministry will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. It is necessary to understand the importance and many facets of the everlasting covenant because, as we will see, it is not just an "Old Testament" term but is also present in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.      The first mention of the everlasting covenant is found in Genesis 9, as the LORD spoke to Noah: "And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh ; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (v. 15-16). The everlasting covenant was not just for Noah, but for all flesh, for every creature. The rainbow appearing in the cloud is not the covenant, but it i...

      My father used to say, "Do as I say, not as I do."  I ended up following this advice as I grew older. We can find this idea in scripture also as we will see.       The Ten Commandments address a principle of parenthood: "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (EX. 20:12, see also Deut. 5:16 ). This commandment and fatherhood come with a blessing connected to them. Jesus assured His listeners that He came to fulfill the law and the prophets and promised that all would be fulfilled. He also warned: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not . For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." (Mt. 5:17-18, Mt. 23:1-4). Jesus explained that ...