7/30/2019 Three Stages in the History of the Covenant

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Three Stages In The History of the Covenant

Moses was its giver, Elijah its restorer, the Messiah its renewer and perfecter. And as such they all had,

in a sense, a similar outward consecration for their work. But that neither Moses nor Elijah was assailed

by the Devil, constitutes not the only, though a vital, difference between the fast of Moses and Elijah,and that of Jesus.

Moses fasted in the middle, Elijah at the end, Jesus at the beginning of His ministry. Moses fasted in the presence of God; Elijah alone; Jesus assaulted by the Devil. Moses had been called up by God; Elijah had gone forth in the bitterness of his own spirit; Jesus

was driven by the Spirit.

Moses failed after his forty days' fast, when in indignation he cast the Tables of the Law fromhim Elijah failed before his forty days' fast; Jesus was assailed for forty days and endured the

trial.

Moses was angry against Israel; Elijah despaired of Israel; Jesus overcame for Israel.Nor must we forget that to each the trial came not only in his human, but in his representative capacity -

as giver, restorer, or perfecter of the Covenant. When Moses and Elijah failed, it was not only as

individuals, but as giving or restoring the Covenant. And when Jesus conquered, it was not only as the

Unfallen and Perfect Man, but as the Messiah. His Temptation and Victory have therefore a twofold

aspect: the general human and the Messianic, and these two are closely connected. Hence we draw also

this happy inference: in whatever Jesus overcame, we can overcome. Each victory which He has gained

secures its fruits for us who are His disciples (and this alike objectively and subjectively). We walk in His

foot-prints; we can ascend by the rock-hewn steps which His Agony has cut. He is the perfect man; andas each temptation marks a human assault (assault on humanity), so it also marks a human victory (of

humanity). But He is also the Messiah; and alike the assault and the victory were of the Messiah. Thus,

each victory of humanity becomes a victoryforhumanity; and so is fulfilled, in this respect also, that

ancient hymn of royal victory, Thou hast ascended on high; Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast

received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that Jehovah God, might dwell among them.

Life and Time of Jesus the Messiah; 1.295, pg. 205 Chapter 1, Book 3

Alfred Edersheim