What connections exist between 2 Kings 11:17 and the New Testament teachings on covenant? Setting the Scene in 2 Kings 11:17 “Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD’s people—and also between the king and the people.” Key Elements of Jehoiada’s Covenant • Three-way bond: LORD → king → people • Explicit pledge of loyalty: “that they should be the LORD’s people” • Renewed social order: covenant also “between the king and the people,” uniting the community under God’s rule • Public act at a decisive moment—ushering in a righteous reign after a season of apostasy Echoes in the New Testament Covenant • Mediator-King fulfilled in Christ — 1 Timothy 2:5 “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” — Hebrews 8:6 “Christ has obtained a superior ministry… mediator of a better covenant.” • Covenant sealed in blood — Luke 22:20 “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” • People marked out as God’s own — 1 Peter 2:9 “a chosen people… God’s special possession.” — Hebrews 8:10 “I will be their God, and they will be My people.” • Vertical and horizontal harmony — Ephesians 2:14–16 Christ “has made both one… reconciling both to God.” — Romans 12:5 “we, though many, are one body in Christ.” Shared Themes Across Testaments • Divine Initiative—God begins, sustains, and fulfills every covenant. • Royal Mediation—Jehoiada installs the rightful king; the NT unveils Jesus as eternal King. • Community Identity—both covenants fashion a people who belong to the LORD. • Mutual Commitment—obedience and fidelity bind the covenant partners. • Public Witness—oath in the temple (2 Kings) parallels baptism and the Lord’s Supper as visible signs today. Living Out the Covenant Today • Rest in Christ’s finished mediation; He guarantees the covenant’s permanence. • Pursue wholehearted devotion, echoing Israel’s pledge to be the LORD’s people. • Nurture unity within the body, reflecting the king-to-people pledge of mutual care. • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper with gratitude, remembering its roots in covenant history. |
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