Thanks Webmaster for posting the verses that this discussion will be based on. As I said in my original post, the two covenants are unconditional.. one totally, the other in who it was given to.. the son of Abraham and Sarah. The first had no obligations on it from man's perspective, the second had a conditional aspect to it.. seen most fully in Exodus 19:3-6
Exodus 19
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
this same theme is carried into Exodus 34, when God gives Moses the Tablets on which are written the commandments.
Exodus 34:10-14
10 Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD , will do for you.
The covenant God made with Israel, was part of the ultimate plan, which he declared to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
The place of Isaac and the Nation Israel is confirmed in the Covenant.. but Ishmael's place is also confirmed in these same verses.. this is what I want to look at later in the week.
any more comments on the unconditional covenant?