Kenneth Copeland — Honor and the CovenantPosted by admin on August 19th, 2009
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life (Proverbs 22:4).
The Bible, literally, is a book about covenants. Both the Old and New Testaments have honor as the primary point of focus. Honor is central to all the other principles of the Bible.
It is very interesting that we find so much about honor and the covenant in Proverbs. This entire book concerns the godly teachings of a wise man who is instructing his son how to live a righteous life.
The Bible says God chose to establish His covenant with Abraham because He knew Abraham would teach his children to “keep the way of the Lord”; that is, to live a life based upon and filled with honor for God (Genesis 18:17-19). To do so is to be in rightstanding with God.
Right-Standing With God by Kenneth Copeland
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour
(Proverbs 21:21).
Jesus echoed these same words in the New Testament when He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
He told us to seek not after the things of this world, but after God and right-standing with Him.* He promised that if we would do so, all the things we need would be added to us.
Proverbs 21:21 is in the same light. It assures us that anyone who follows, or seeks, after mercy and right-standing with God will receive both with honor. Now, most Bible interpretations of the word mercy give a false impression of its real meaning.
I will try to explain. Before we can talk about mercy, we have to look at some other words as well. Remember, the Bible is a book of covenants. Both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant were written to people who understood the meaning and significance of a covenant relationship.
English translators have used the word testament in place of covenant. The word testament really refers to the will or desires of a person to be carried out after his death. That is why this word was chosen rather than covenant. The English translators were showing that the New Testament is the “Last Will and Testament” of Jesus. When He died for us, we inherited
His Word, His promises.
The word testament, however, does not really match the original Hebrew. It loses the most important concept. The Hebrew word translated “covenant” is beriyth and means “…cutting…; a compact (…made by passing between pieces of flesh).”1 It refers to a cut made in the flesh so that blood flows as evidence of a binding agreement between two parties.
Kenneth Copeland explains that a covenant is more than a contract or a promise. It is the most binding agreement in existence, because blood is involved. It is more serious, more formal, more permanent, because it involves a blood relationship.
The word mercy is similar to testament. It is a weak translation of a very powerful concept. A rendering of the Greek word agape in the New Covenant is translated “love,” “mercy” or “compassion.”
But this really has a passive or inactive connotation or meaning. The concept of mercy can best be described by the words “will love.” Now, that is powerful. In essence, the person who enters into a covenant relationship with another is saying to him, “I swear in blood that I will love you forever.” It has nothing to do with what the other person does or does not do. It is an oath of love. It is not in return for favors. It is forever, regardless.
The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word agape is hesed. It literally refers to the compulsion to give and to love without limit those who have no merit. That is why, in the New Testament, the English translators sometimes used the word charity.
Somehow, the concept did not come across. There is so much giving involved in mercy that our English words don’t really convey the full
implication or significance.
This concept is best seen in a covenant. The strongest covenant we know of is that which exists between Jesus and the Church. In essence, Jesus said: “I am giving Myself to you. That includes everything I have and everything I ever will have. Everything that is Mine is yours. You have My Name, My Word and
My nature. Anyone who comes against you comes against Me. Anybody who curses you curses Me. Any enemy of yours is My enemy as well. When you are assailed, just call upon Me and I will do whatever I must to guard, protect and rescue you.” That is mercy.
Keep this concept in mind because it affects the word honor.
Proverbs 21:21 could be translated: “He who seeks after right-standing with God—anyone who has a blood covenant with Him finds life, righteousness and honor.”
Learn more about Kenneth Copeland and his ministry.
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