8 October 2002

Text: Ezekiel 34:25-31

"A COVENANT OF PEACE"

Original Use of the Phrase

1. With reference to Phinehas (Numbers 25:10-18)
a) When he turned away the wrath of God from Israel
b) Because of his great zeal for the Lord when he slew wicked Salu and Cozbi

2. The significance of that phrase with reference to the Levitical Priesthood
a) God will specially bless the Levitical priesthood
b) As long as they were faithful to Him they would always enjoy His richest blessings

The Ezekielian Context

1. There was the same phrase "Covenant of Peace"

2. But the Levites were not the recipients of this Covenant of Peace

3. This Covenant of Peace has to do with the "New Covenant"
a) Called the "New Covenant" by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31ff)
b) Called the "Everlasting Covenant by Isaiah (Isaiah 55:3; 59:21)
c) Called the "Everlasting Covenant" by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 16:6-63)

4. Characteristic of this New Covenant- PEACE
a) With God
b) Resulting in Peace on Earth

ASPECTS OF THIS NEW COVENANT OF PEACE

1. The Key Person is the Shepherd
a) He will be of the line of David
b) He will take care of the sheep Ezekiel 34:23-24

2. The Shepherd will give His life for the Sheep (John 10:11)
a) Through His death He will bring about the New Covenant
b) "This is the blood of the New Covenant (Matthew 26:28)

3. Wide Ramifications (Millennial Kingdom in purview)
a) "Wild beast to cease from the land" Ezekiel 34:25 (Isa. 11:6-9)
b) "There shall be showers of blessings" Ezekiel 34:26
c) "The earth shall yield her increase" Ezekiel 34:27
d) "Delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them" Ezekiel 34:27
e) "No longer prey" Ezekiel 34:28
f) "A garden of renown" Ezekiel 34:29
g) "No longer be consumed with hunger in the land" Ezekiel 34:29
h) "Nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore" Ezekiel 34:29

PURPOSE OF THESE DEEDS

1. Lordship
"Then they shall know that I am the LORD"
Ezekiel 34:27

2. Presence
"Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them…"
Ezekiel 34:30

3. Understanding and Appreciation of God as their Covenant-Lord
"That, they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord God"
Ezekiel 34:30

"You are My flock, the flock of My pasture, you are men; and I am Your God, says the Lord"
Ezekiel 34:31