This morning, we explored the profound reality of how God relates to us through the lens of covenant, using the imagery of three trees: the wild fig, the olive, and the tree of life. From the very beginning, humanity was given a choice between the tree of life—union and dependence on God—and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which represents self-reliance and self-righteousness. Adam and Eve’s choice to eat from the latter led to a life of striving, shame, and futile attempts to cover themselves, symbolized by the withering fig leaves. This “fig leaf religion” became a picture of humanity’s efforts to manufacture their own righteousness, which always falls short and withers away.
Yet, even in this era before formal covenants, God’s mercy was evident. Figures like Enoch and Noah walked with God by faith, showing that intimacy with Him was possible not by performance, but by trust in His grace. The story then shifts to the Abrahamic covenant, symbolized by the olive tree—a covenant of promise and grace. God alone cut this covenant, binding Himself to Abraham and his descendants, not based on their performance, but on His own faithfulness. Even when Abraham and his family failed morally, God’s blessing remained because the covenant was rooted in promise, not in their ability to keep it.
The Mosaic covenant, represented by the tree of knowledge, introduced a performance-based relationship. Israel agreed to obey all God’s commands, and blessings or curses followed based on their obedience. The law revealed the difference between good and evil but could not empower people to live righteously. The same people who were blessed under Abraham’s promise now experienced judgment under the law for the same behaviors, not because God changed, but because the covenant had changed.
The good news is that Jesus fulfilled both the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants and inaugurated a new covenant in His blood—the tree of life. In Christ, we are grafted into this tree, receiving His perfect righteousness and the indwelling Spirit. Our relationship with God is now based on union, blessing, and rest, not striving or self-effort. We are invited to let go of shame, performance, and the need to earn God’s favor, and instead, to stand in the fullness of what Christ has accomplished. We are who He says we are: qualified, righteous, and free.
Key Takeaways
- 1. God’s dealings with humanity have always been shaped by covenant, not by His changing character. The wild fig tree represents our attempts to cover ourselves and define righteousness apart from God, which always leads to futility and shame. Even before formal covenants, God’s mercy was present, but true intimacy with Him has always come by faith, not by self-effort. [65:17]
- 2. The Abrahamic covenant is a powerful picture of grace: God alone takes responsibility for the covenant, blessing Abraham and his descendants not because of their moral performance, but because of His promise. This covenant points forward to Christ, showing that our standing with God is rooted in His faithfulness, not our own. Even when Abraham’s family failed, the blessing remained because the roots were in promise, not performance. [75:10]
- 3. The Mosaic covenant, or the tree of knowledge, shifted the relationship to one based on law and performance. The law revealed sin but could not empower obedience, resulting in judgment and separation when people failed. This covenant was never meant to impart life, but to act as a tutor leading us to Christ, exposing our need for a Savior and the futility of self-righteousness. [84:54]
- 4. In Christ, a new covenant is established—the tree of life—where blessing comes by faith, not by works or lineage. Jesus’ perfect obedience and sacrifice fulfill all previous covenants, and His righteousness is credited to us. The Spirit now indwells us permanently, and our identity flows from union with Christ, not from our performance or striving. [93:14]
- 5. Grace does not hide our sin; it exposes it so it can be healed. Under the new covenant, we are invited to let go of self-condemnation, striving, and the need to prove ourselves. We are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, qualified by His blood, and empowered to live as children of light, rooted in the river of life. Our journey is not about earning God’s favor, but about receiving and living from the fullness of what Christ has already accomplished. [94:50]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [55:14] - Salvation for Households and Family Lines
- [57:54] - The Wild Fig Tree: Humanity’s Self-Effort
- [58:45] - Fig Leaves and the Futility of Self-Righteousness
- [60:03] - Fig Leaf Religion and Pre-Covenant Mercy
- [63:07] - Cain, Enoch, and Walking by Faith
- [65:17] - Intimacy with God Before the Law
- [67:50] - The Abrahamic Covenant: The Olive Tree of Promise
- [69:18] - God Alone Cuts the Covenant
- [71:22] - Blessing Despite Failure: Abraham’s Family
- [75:10] - The Olive Tree Points to Christ
- [76:36] - The Mosaic Covenant: The Tree of Knowledge
- [78:27] - Blessing and Cursing Under the Law
- [84:54] - God’s Consistency and Covenant Shifts
- [87:08] - The New Covenant: The Tree of Life
- [93:14] - Identity and Blessing in Christ
- [94:50] - Living as Children of Light
- [96:47] - Declaring Freedom from Legalism
- [98:45] - Receiving the Fullness of the New Covenant
- [99:33] - Worship and Thanksgiving
