Covenants with Neville

"Covenants" is a topic that we were privileged to have Neville Strachan, pastor of Eastgate church in Byron Bay, teach this week.  Neville has partnered with our base and generally comes to speak on every DTS here.  I could try and explain a few things that he taught but it might take pages and pages. "Covenants" are not just promises from God as we would find out during this week.  They are an agreement between two parties and are everywhere within the Bible and throughout history.  A modern day example of covenant is marriage.  These things are almost always included in a "covenant".  Exchanging of coats (My stuff is now your stuff), Exchange of weapons (you pick a fight with me, you picked a fight with her too), exchange names (woman changes her last name), promise and oath (martial vows), blood cutting and seal (consummation of marriage), splitting of an animal (wedding cake?), blessings and curses (not normally said at weddings), memorial (wedding certificate and rings), covenant meal (wedding reception), and covenant attorney (wedding party).  All of these parts make up a covenant and can be seen in the modern day wedding.  Covenants have been known throughout history by every culture.  What Neville points out is that all of God's covenants with men are initiated by Him and that all of His covenants are leading up to Jesus Christ.  He is the focal point of all history, not only for the Hebrew people, but for the world.  It really was amazing to watch it all unfold as Neville explained the build up from the Old Testament.  It brings a whole new perception to God's plan.