In part 1 of this teaching.we saw that Paul spoke in the book of Galatians to "all who rely on observing the Law."
He did not suggest that the law itself was somehow bad or incorrect. What he did insist was that the law had never had anything to do with faith, and therefore that reliance on the law, either as a way of salvation, or as a way to work out one's salvation, was wrong.
Paul made an interesting point in verses 15 -18 of Galatians chapter 3. If the law was so important, how did people ever get along without it?
The law wasn't even introduced until some 430 years after Abraham's day. Certainly Abraham and the other patriarchs had meaningful relationships with God!
We saw that the law was a temporary fix put in place until the Christ would come and bring something better. When Jesus came he brought something that was not previously available. The bars the law placed around us were only there until Christ. And as the bars could never tame the tiger, only restrain him, the law for man served the same purpose. Then we looked at the freedom that Jesus made available to us through the Word.
We saw how we were instructed to study the word so we would not be ensnared again with the yoke of bondage. (The bars of legalisms).
Jesus made us free. We need to be doers of the word. We need to fight the attacks of laziness and make the word our own. In doing so we will insure that so no one steals the promises of God from us.
Galatians 3:19 wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Within the context of Galatians 3 we see a covenant. Its here we have the first occurrence of the word mediator in the New Testament. The word translated mediator here comes from the Greek word Mesites which means according to Strong's - one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.
Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
A mediator is described as one who mediates between two parties. The mediator is not one of those parties; God is one of the parties. God was one of the parties of the old covenant and the children of Israel were the second party. A mediator or negotiator in the sense that he would establish a relationship that otherwise would not exist.
This word mediator has been used with the meaning of to intercede or pledge oneself for a sick debtor. It also been used as to occupy the middle place.
So here in the book of Galatians we have the first occurrence of the word mediator in the New Testament. Its here we see that it's associated with Christ and a covenant.
Isaiah 42:1-6 1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
It's interesting to note that the Hebrew word translated Gentiles in verse 1 is also translated nations 374 times in the AV.
2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
The servant spoken of here in Isaiah 42 would not break a bruised reed or quench smoking flax. A bruised reed was a broken shepherd's flute made from a reed. Shepherds took care of their flutes and if it was to break they would repair it rather than throw it away.
Smoking flax was the result of low oil in a lamp. A caring servant would trim the wick and add oil to the lamp.
These were normal maintenance activities that were part of a faithful servant's lifestyle. They were not extraordinary feats over and above the call of duty. Therefore the servant would not be praised or publicized for doing his job.
The servant spoken of in Isaiah 42 would not hurt the weak and feeble, but support and comfort them as alluded to in the broken reed. The servant also would tend to the wick of a lamp or candle which is almost out, but he will cherish it and snuff it, that it may shine brighter i.e. the smoking flax.
Here we see that God's servant was to faithfully take care of the responsibilities that God entrusted to him.
4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Here we see that this servant would be given for a covenant for the people, for a light of the Gentiles. { nations}
Isaiah 49:8 8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
Again we see the servant of the lord would be given for a covenant of the people.
Jeremiah 32:37-40 37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: 38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: 39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Now take a look at the book of Hebrews chapter ten.
Hebrews 10:15-17 15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
According to Heb10:16 this covenant is the same covenant that is available to Israel now and in the future.
The new international version portrays this truth quite well in chapter eight.
NIV Hebrews 8:1-13 1The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. 3Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." 6But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. 7For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.10This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear
To be continued …ÿ