The Covenant of Life and Peace
Joseph Irons. Malachi 2:5-7 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear with which he feared me, and was afraid before my name.… Most commentators refer this statement to Levi, as the head of his tribe. I shall take the liberty of differing from them. It is our great and glorious High Priest, the true Melchisedek, with whom the covenant of life and peace was made. I. THE HEAD OF THE COVENANT. "Him," the Lord Jesus Christ. Mark the station He occupies in this character. He stands as the representative of His people, to covenant with the Father on their behalf, in their name. In their law-place, Jesus stood before all the perfections of Deity, account able, responsible for them all, and holding all their interests dear as His own. Vain mortals are accustomed to talk about terms of salvation now; as if they were left to the creature to perform. But what were the terms of the covenant of salvation? Perfect obedience, infinite satisfaction. Where was the use of leaving these to a fallen creature? Our glorious Head alone is capable of rendering infinite satisfaction. Look at His affinity. For whom was He covenanting? His brethren, His "jewels." These were the persons; and why? Because they stood in everlasting affinity to Him — eternal relation to Him. II. THE INTERESTS OF THIS COVENANT. What is it all about? What is it for? "Life and peace." "Sin entered into the world and death by sin." Death, the sentence of death, the first and second death, is pronounced upon the soul of the sinner. The covenant of life is with Christ, — life spiritual, life Divine, life eternal. " This is the record — this life is in His Son." All the terms of this "life" were in that covenant, which He entered into on behalf of His Church. "Peace," amity, concord, agreement, between God and the soul; terms adjusted in such wise, that the parties are perfectly agreed. Tranquillity of mind, a holy calmness. A settled, composed serenity of spirit, — a believing satisfaction that God and my soul have come to terms, and can never be separated any more. III. THE SECURITIES OF THIS COVENANT. What is a deed worth without any seal or signature? Mark what the security of this covenant is. It ensures salvation entire and perfect. It is safely deposited, with Christ Himself. Mark the blessedness which pertains to this assurance. (Joseph Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. WEB: "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in awe of my name.