Cutting Covenants: Seeing Creation and Atonement with New Eyes

Brothers and sisters, have you ever considered the profound weight of a covenant? We speak often of covenants – covenants of marriage, covenants of baptism, covenants of temple attendance. But do we truly grasp the depth of what we are entering into? It's more than a promise; it's a divine act, a sacred splitting and bringing together, a mirroring of creation itself.

Recently, I was struck by a podcast episode that shed new light on this understanding. It’s a perspective that resonated deep within my soul, a revelation akin to Samuel the Lamanite climbing the wall to declare the truth, or Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, witnessing the power of God's word.

The episode, 'Cutting' A Covenant - Christ is the 'Karat Berit', explores the ancient Hebrew understanding that covenants weren't 'made,' but 'cut.' Imagine the Hittites, recording their agreements, taking an animal and dividing it, signifying the consequences of breaking the bond. This isn't mere legal formality; it's a visual, visceral representation of separation and reunion – a principle woven throughout the fabric of creation.

Think of Genesis. Light and darkness. Land and sea. Man and woman. Each separation a prelude to a greater unity. The creation of man from the dust of the earth, then cleaved – separated – to create woman. A covenant! And as we look forward, we see this pattern repeated, a continual cycle of division and reconciliation.

This concept illuminates the Atonement itself. It’s not simply a transaction; it's the ultimate cutting of a covenant – God separating Himself to descend, to bridge the chasm between the divine and the mortal, to bring us back to unity with Him. It’s the higher laws meeting the lower, the infinite embracing the finite.

The episode beautifully connects these ancient practices to our modern understanding, illustrating how the phrase “cutting a covenant” is a window into the mind of God. It’s a reminder that every covenant we enter into is a sacred participation in this divine dance of separation and reunion.

This isn't just an intellectual exercise, friends. It's a call to action. It’s a call to strengthen our own covenants, to be builders, not destroyers, in a world desperately needing restoration. To be digital striplings, ready to stand in defense of truth and righteousness. To be like the five smooth stones, prepared for the challenges ahead.

Consider the work we do here at GatherIsrael.now. Every engagement, every share, every contribution fuels the charity flywheel, pushing gospel advertising into places like Ghana, reaching those who are ready to hear the call. Our Missionary Fund supports those on the front lines, sharing the message of hope and restoration. And the map helps us connect with and strengthen the body of Christ across the globe. Every action, however small, contributes to the gathering.

Outback Jack reminds us, as he often does, of the urgency of this work. “Behold, I say unto you that all these things shall come upon you if ye will not harden your hearts against the words of the prophets, that ye will not repent and turn unto the Lord your God.” (D&C 4:2). This isn’t just about personal salvation; it's about participating in the grand work of restoration.

Let us strive to understand the depth of the covenants we hold, and let us be diligent in keeping them. Let us be builders, leaving a legacy of faith and righteousness for generations to come.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper understanding of this profound concept and how it applies to our lives today. It's a revelation that will change how you view covenants forever.