5/12/14- The Promise in History

This promise was repeated and made clearer from time to time; it was embraced with joy, and most constantly received by all the faithful from Adam to Noah, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to David, and so onwards to the incarnation of Christ Jesus; all (we mean the believing fathers under the law) did see the joyful day of Christ Jesus, and did rejoice. (Scots IVb)

1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Heb. 1:1-3)

Thoughts:  God reveals His hope in providence and history, but sometimes it is clearer than others.  The confession tells us that the Old Testament saints put their hope in the promise of the coming Messiah and trust in God.  The Scots Confession divides these periods of history in the Old Testament into covenant periods.  The promise is that evil will not win, but God will.  Justice and grace will meet together.  The Old Testament saints knew this as well as the new.

Prayer: Lord, may my heart hold to your promise as those before me held to is.