From Law to Grace: Embracing the New Covenant

 

Summary

In Genesis 48, we encounter a profound moment where Jacob, nearing the end of his life, blesses Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. This story is rich with symbolism and spiritual insight, revealing God's unexpected ways and the transition from the old covenant to the new. Joseph, who had endured immense suffering and emerged as a leader in Egypt, brings his sons to Jacob for a blessing. Traditionally, the firstborn, Manasseh, would receive the primary blessing. However, Jacob crosses his hands, placing the greater blessing on Ephraim, the younger son. This act signifies God's sovereignty and His tendency to subvert human expectations.

The names of Joseph's sons carry deep meaning. Manasseh means "causing to forget," symbolizing the old covenant and the law, which helps us move past the pain of our past. Ephraim means "fruitfulness," representing the new covenant in Christ, which brings abundant life and spiritual fruitfulness. The old covenant, with its laws and sacrifices, was necessary but incomplete. It pointed to the need for a greater, more perfect covenant, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Through the cross, Jesus accomplished what the law could not. He became the ultimate sacrifice, offering us grace and the opportunity to live a life of fruitfulness in Him. Just as Jacob's crossed hands signified a new order, the cross of Christ signifies the transition from law to grace. This story reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours, and He often chooses the unexpected to fulfill His purposes. We are called to embrace the new covenant, living not by the letter of the law but by the Spirit, bearing the fruit of a transformed life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Destiny and Transformation: Destiny is not merely a destination but the transformation of our character through life's trials. Joseph's journey illustrates how God prepares us to be the right person for His purposes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a right heart amidst adversity. [01:52]

2. The Significance of Names: The names Manasseh and Ephraim symbolize the transition from the old covenant to the new. Manasseh represents forgetting past pain through the law, while Ephraim signifies the fruitfulness of life in Christ, highlighting the progression from law to grace. [08:39]

3. The Role of the Law: The law serves as a mirror, revealing our sinfulness and need for a Savior. It is a necessary step in understanding our need for grace, but it is not the final solution. The law points us to the greater covenant fulfilled in Jesus. [13:46]

4. God's Unexpected Ways: God's plans often subvert human expectations, as seen in Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh. This act foreshadows the new covenant, where grace supersedes the law, and God's purposes are fulfilled in unexpected ways. [25:10]

5. The Cross and New Covenant: The cross is the ultimate symbol of God's grace, where Jesus took our place, fulfilling the law and offering us a new life. Through the cross, we receive the blessing of the firstborn, becoming co-heirs with Christ in the new covenant. [31:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:52] - Destiny and Transformation
- [03:20] - Jacob's Blessing
- [04:54] - The Significance of Names
- [07:17] - Living in the Greater Blessing
- [08:39] - Manasseh and Ephraim
- [10:57] - The Role of the Law
- [13:46] - The Old Covenant
- [14:27] - Transition to the New Covenant
- [17:22] - Fruitfulness in Christ
- [18:23] - Relationship Over Rules
- [20:04] - The Fruit of the Spirit
- [25:10] - God's Unexpected Ways
- [31:05] - The Cross and New Covenant
- [39:00] - Invitation to New Life

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 48:8-20
- Romans 5:17
- Hebrews 8:6-13

#### Observation Questions
1. What significant action does Jacob take when blessing Joseph's sons, and how does Joseph react to it? ([04:54])
2. What do the names Manasseh and Ephraim mean, and how do they relate to the covenants mentioned in the sermon? ([08:39])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the law in the Old Covenant? ([13:46])
4. What is the significance of the cross in the context of the new covenant, as explained in the sermon? ([31:05])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jacob's crossing of his hands during the blessing symbolize God's unexpected ways and the transition from the old to the new covenant? ([25:10])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the new covenant in Christ is superior to the old covenant? ([17:22])
3. How does the story of Joseph's life illustrate the concept of destiny as transformation rather than just a destination? ([01:52])
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of understanding our need for grace through the law? ([13:46])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your expectations were subverted by God's plans. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([25:10])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living by the Spirit rather than the letter of the law. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a Spirit-led life this week? ([18:23])
3. Consider the meaning of the names Manasseh and Ephraim. How can you apply the concept of "forgetting past pain" and "fruitfulness" in your current life situation? ([08:39])
4. How can you embrace the new covenant of grace in your daily life, especially in areas where you might be relying on your own efforts? ([29:28])
5. The sermon mentions the fruit of the Spirit. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? ([20:04])
6. How can you ensure that your understanding of God's plans is not limited by your own expectations or traditions? ([33:49])
7. Reflect on the idea that God's ways are higher than ours. How can this perspective change the way you approach challenges and decisions in your life? ([38:17])

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Trials
In Genesis 48, we see Joseph's journey from suffering to leadership, illustrating how God uses life's trials to transform our character for His purposes. Joseph's story is a testament to the importance of maintaining a right heart amidst adversity. His experiences in Egypt, from being sold into slavery to rising as a leader, were not just about reaching a destination but about becoming the person God intended him to be. This transformation is a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey, where destiny is not just about where we end up but who we become along the way. [01:52]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How did it shape your character, and how might God be using it for His purposes?


Day 2: Names and Their Significance
The names Manasseh and Ephraim hold deep spiritual significance, symbolizing the transition from the old covenant to the new. Manasseh, meaning "causing to forget," represents the law's role in helping us move past our past pains. Ephraim, meaning "fruitfulness," signifies the abundant life and spiritual fruitfulness found in Christ. This progression from law to grace highlights the journey from the old covenant, with its laws and sacrifices, to the new covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It is a reminder of the transformative power of grace in our lives. [08:39]

Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Reflection: Reflect on the meaning of your own name or a name significant to you. How does it relate to your spiritual journey and God's work in your life?


Day 3: The Law as a Mirror
The law serves as a mirror, revealing our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It is a necessary step in understanding our need for grace, but it is not the final solution. The law points us to the greater covenant fulfilled in Jesus, who accomplished what the law could not. Through His sacrifice, we are offered grace and the opportunity to live a life of fruitfulness in Him. This understanding of the law's role is crucial in embracing the new covenant and living by the Spirit rather than the letter of the law. [13:46]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself relying on rules rather than grace in your spiritual life? How can you shift your focus to living by the Spirit?


Day 4: Embracing God's Unexpected Ways
God's plans often subvert human expectations, as seen in Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh. This act foreshadows the new covenant, where grace supersedes the law, and God's purposes are fulfilled in unexpected ways. It is a reminder that God's ways are higher than ours, and He often chooses the unexpected to fulfill His purposes. We are called to trust in His sovereignty and embrace the new covenant, living a life transformed by His grace. [25:10]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a time when God's plan for you was different from your expectations. How did you respond, and what did you learn about His sovereignty?


Day 5: The Cross and the New Covenant
The cross is the ultimate symbol of God's grace, where Jesus took our place, fulfilling the law and offering us a new life. Through the cross, we receive the blessing of the firstborn, becoming co-heirs with Christ in the new covenant. This profound truth calls us to live not by the letter of the law but by the Spirit, bearing the fruit of a transformed life in Christ. The cross signifies the transition from law to grace, inviting us to embrace the new covenant and the abundant life it offers. [31:05]

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV): "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."

Reflection: How does the reality of being a co-heir with Christ impact your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to live more fully in the new covenant?

Quotes



The idea behind the name of his first son is that by bringing him into the world, God has blessed Joseph. And this blessing is so great that it's helping him to forget the pain of his past. That's the name, Manasseh. You have caused me, your presence, your blessing has caused me. To forget the pain of my past. [00:09:25] (27 seconds)


What God understands and what we need to understand is that they cannot walk into their promises until they have forgotten their pain. Are you with me? This is a powerful truth of life. The reason that the... The Israelites were wandering so long is because you can take the slaves out of Egypt. But it's much more difficult to take the Egypt out of the slaves. [00:12:32] (27 seconds)


The old covenant was critical, was important, was without which we would not know the depth of our wickedness before the Lord. But the old covenant is our Manasseh. It's step one. The problem is this. There's a lot of people who get stuck at step one. Who get stuck in a cycle of old covenant living. [00:14:51] (27 seconds)


God did not send his son Jesus simply to forget the past. But he calls us to an abundant life in Christ. And that is the new covenant, which is, I believe, represented in this scripture through the second son, Joseph, whose name is Ephraim. Now, when we do a study on the name of Ephraim, you will discover something amazing. The name Ephraim means fruitfulness. [00:17:37] (30 seconds)


God has delivered me from the pain of my past, but more than that, this son is a forward-looking son. He said, God has made me fruitful, symbolizing increase, abundance, newness of life. And this symbolically, metaphorically points us to the new covenant, which is in Christ. How many know this morning, Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly? [00:18:23] (29 seconds)


When God, when Jacob crosses his hands, it's like God is making a statement to us. This new covenant in Jesus supersedes and overpowers the old covenant. And isn't it interesting, the sign that he makes with his arms? Cross. Cross. At the cross, all of this is a foreshadowing. Without Jacob understanding, without Joseph, without even Ephraim or Manasseh understanding, all of it points forward to the superior covenant in Christ. [00:26:32] (38 seconds)


As Jesus laid down his life for the sheep, the great shepherd gave his life, he completes the system of sacrifice. He said, I didn't come to do away with the law. I came to fulfill the law. And we have to, as people of God, living under the New Covenant, we have to appreciate that through the crossed hands of grace. The rightful son took our place. [00:29:11] (30 seconds)


When we trust and believe in Jesus, the transfer is that we get to put our sins, that God puts the punishment of our sins on him, and in return, we receive a blessing. Blessing of the firstborn. Doesn't it say in Romans that we become co-heirs with Christ? The same blessing that Jesus deserved is now transferred to simple people like us. How amazing. How powerful. [00:31:32] (36 seconds)


And in this, we will find that the grace of the new covenant is so far superior to the laws of the old. Let's bow our heads and close our eyes. God wants to put the Ephraim blessing on your life. The blessing of fruitfulness, grace, mercy, love. In order to do that, we have to be aware and knowledgeable about our sins. The Bible truly convicts us and brings us to a point of understanding. [00:39:00] (39 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?