from the desk of

The Bread of Haste Ministry  (BHM)

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August 12, 2026

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Journey Members,

The Bread of Haste Ministry (BHM) 

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Dear Journey Members,

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AI Overview:

A covenant is a formal, binding agreement, promise, or contract between two or more parties.  It frequently outlines specific actions that must or must not be taken, such as a property deed restricting how a plot of land can be used. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

 

Depending on the context, a covenant can take on distinct meanings:

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• Law: In real estate and contract law, it refers to a specific clause or stipulation that governs the use of property or dictates the obligations of the involved parties. (Cambridge Dictionary)

• Theology: In religious contexts, it refers to a solemn, oath-bound relationship or agreement, such as the promises exchanged in marriage or the historical pacts between God and humanity as described in scripture (The Bible Project)

• A covenant is a formal agreement or promise, usually included in a contract or deed, to do or not do a particular act. Covenants are particularly relevant in the fields of contract law and property law (Cornell Law). 

 

GOD, works through Covenants.  Religion(s) today blur and confuse the understanding of the definition and importance of Covenant in its usage and application…if, taught/addressed at all?

 

In the Holy Scripture, a Covenant is a binding, relational oath by which GOD commits HIMSELF to a people, a remnant (Israel, “mixed multitude”) and calls them to loyal obedience.  HE has always worked through Covenants, from Adam, Noah, Abraham to Sinai and, in the last days, the New/Renewed Covenant through YESHUA Messiah.  The New/Renewed Covenant does not replace GOD’S TORAH; it writes it on our hearts by the Holy Spirit of GOD, so we can walk in HIS ways joining Jew and Gentile into “one” people (Israel, “mixed multitude”) who trust YESHUA Messiah and live out Covenant faithfulness today.  

 

Biblical Covenant:

A Covenant is GOD’S chosen way to create a special people for HIMSELF.  A relationship established by “promise” and confirmed in “blood”, with loyal-love expressed through obedience to HIS Commandments. 

 

At Mt. Sinai, GOD Commanded Moses (HE did not ask), to confirm HIS Covenant by sprinkling blood on Israel (mixed-multitude) as they pledged OBEDIENCE; this blood bonded the relationship and defined Israel’s (mixed-multitude) life with/before The GOD of Heaven, going forward as a peculiar people, a chosen people, a set-apart people,  GOD’S own people! 

 

How GOD’S Covenants unfold:  

The Hebrew Bible (TANAKH) outlines five major Covenants:

 

• Noahic Covenant:  A world-level promise of stability after judgement (foundation for all life moving forward).

• Abrahamic Covenant:  GOD alone walked between the pieces, making unconditional promises to Abraham of offspring, land, security and blessings to the “nations” (all) through Abraham’s “seed” (YESHUA), HE bound himself to do it.

• Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24):  A conditional covenant made with the nation of Israel (mixed-multitude) at Mount Sinai. It provided the Law (including the Ten Commandments) and promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.  A national Covenant with Israel (mixed-multitude), sealed and confirmed in blood (Blood Covenant), laying out “Blessing for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience/Rebellion (LEV 26; DEU 28-30).  

• Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-16):  An unconditional covenant where God promised King David that his lineage and throne would endure forever, ultimately fulfilled in the prophesied Messiah (YESHUA).

• New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34):  An unconditional covenant established through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It replaces the old Mosaic system, promising the forgiveness of sins and the inward transformation of believers.

 

The New/Renewed Covenant:

YESHUA Messiah identified HIS sacrificial death as the “New Covenant in my blood.”  That ties directly to Jeremiah 31’s promise that GOD would put HIS TORAH within us and write it on our hearts, and to Ezekiel’s prophesy, that GOD would put HIS Holy Spirit within us to cause us to walk in HIS statutes.  The New Covenant internalizes what the Sinai inscribed, OBEDIENCE flowing from a transformed heart.  The New Covenant does not “abolish” TORAH”, it engraves it on our hearts so that love for GOD is expressed through faithful Commandment keeping and not as “lawlessness” packaged in religious language (1 JHN 5:3).  

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Inclusion:

Jeremiah 31 names “the house of Israel and the house of Judah,” and the apostles teach that those who trust in YESHUA Messiah are grafted into Israel’s Covenants and promises, one people of GOD, not a separate/replaced people with different terms.  As a member of the natural olive tree (Israel), we are also held to the same standard of curses for disobedience/rebellion against GOD.  GOD’S Commandments apply to “one people, one nation, a set-apart remnant (Israel).  That inclusion appears at Sinai’s renewal, where native-born and sojourners stand together in Covenant.  Therefore, whether Israelite or Gentile by birth, Covenant membership today is by repentance and faith in YESHUA Messiah, joining “one people” who are being transformed to keep GOD’S ways.  

 

What this means today:

Relationship.  Relating to GOD by trusting in YESHUA Messiah’s atoning blood and living as HIS Covenant people.  The cup, we are to proclaim  the MESSIAH’S death until HE returns and calls us to examine ourselves by HIS standard “The TORAH” now written on ours heart.  We are unified/single people joined to Israel, not a new entity with different rules.  That is why the Apostles call us to “the obedience of faith”, faith that produces Covenant Obedience.  

 

Because the Holy Spirit of GOD writes HIS TORAH on our hearts, we grow to love what GOD loves and hate what GOD hates and, walk in HIS Commandments as a way of life; Sabbath rest, appointed and anointed feast and festivals rhythms, integrity, humility, justice, sexual purity, obeying the dietary commandments, truthfulness, mercy, and care for the vulnerable.  Obedience is not a ladder to earn salvation, it is the Covenant path a redeemed people “gladly walk.”  

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Common Confusion:

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• New Covenant = New Law.  NO!  Scripture defines what is new as better promises, full forgiveness, intimate knowledge of GOD, and TORAH written on our hearts, rather than a different standard.  GOD’S TORAH remains the standard of “righteous living”.  The Law defines sin as “lawlessness”.  “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.(1 JHN 3:4)”.

• Isn’t it legalism? NO!  We are saved by GOD’S GRACE through faith in YESHUA Messiah; OBEDIENCE is the fruit and evidence of that salvation, not its cause.  Love (as HE Commanded it), keeps HIS Commandments; lawlessness (DISOBEDIENCE), is not love. 

• Isn’t this for “ethnic Israel, ONLY?” NO!  From Sinai’s renewal to the New Covenant  promise, Scripture consistently includes the sojourner/Gentile who joins  GOD’S chosen people (Israel, mixed-multitude); in YESHUA Messiah “ALL” are grafted (adopted) into the natural olive tree and the same Covenant. 

 

Walking it out:

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• Return (Teshuva or repent in Hebrew):  Turn from sin (DISOBEDIENCE) to GOD; place your trust wholly in YESHUA Messiah; ask the FATHER to write HIS TORAH on your heart and to fill you with HIS Holy Spirit for daily strength to be faithful.   

• Learn the Covenant way:  Read Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 36; Mathew 5-7; Romans 8; 1 John, and begin practicing what you learn.

• Guard the relationship:  Regularly examine yourself by GOD’S standard now written on your heart, remembering the blood of the Covenant with reverence and gratitude.

 

Summary:

Covenant is GOD’S “chosen way (GOD’S Standard)” to form and keep a people for HIMSELF; oath bound relationship, sealed in blood, lived out in faith and loyal in OBEDIENCE.  In the New Covenant, GOD forgives, gives HIS Holy Spirit, and writes HIS TORAH (Instructions) on our hearts so faith works through love and our lives display Covenant faithfulness.  This is for all who come through YESHUA Messiah, being grafted/adopted into the one people who keep HIS Commandments and hold to the testimony of YESHUA Messiah. 

 

Our Journey Message - Covenant:

Covenant (a binding agreement establishing a relationship).  This is “deep.”  It literally took us all of our “religious” lives to fully understand the importance of “Covenant”.  First, we learned that GOD works in Covenant relationships and the penalty for breaking GOD’S Covenant(s) was and is eternal death (separation from GOD); however, we are thankful that the gift (YESHUA Messiah) of GOD is eternal life (ROM 6:23)! 

 

In our “journey of faith” we learned that there are five “general Covenants” referred to in the Hebrew Scriptures (TANAKH), to include a “New Covenant” as prophesied by Jeremiah.  We also learned that theologies today identify additional Covenants; however, we chose to capture and refer to the ones identified in the body of this message. 

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GOD Keeps HIS Covenants!  According to Scripture, there is NO middle ground!  GOD, is the author of HIS Covenants, we are the recipients of HIS blessings for keeping HIS Covenants or, curses for breaking them.  GOD has a repetitive pattern that HE established at creation, gave to Moses (TORAH) and His Bride (Israel), at Mt. Sinai, revealed through HIS plan for our salvation through HIS anointed/appointed times (Moedim in Hebrew), repeated by HIS Prophets, observed and taught by HIS SON (YESHUA Messiah) and HIS Jewish Disciples/Apostles.   GOD keeps HIS Covenants whether “we” break them or not.  The Covenant made at Mt. Sinai was made in blood.  It was GOD’S (The Groom) big wedding day and the TORAH served as the wedding contract.  Israel (the mixed-multitude) was and is the Bride.  

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The setting (The courtship).  GOD rescued Israel (mixed-multitude) from bondage.  GOD showed up and “personally” introduced HIMSELF to HIS then betrothed (Fiancee or Bride to be).  HE saved Her from death, redeemed Her, freed her from bondage and personally escorted/guided Her through the wilderness,  feeding her, clothing her and protecting her until the day of the wedding ceremony.  Though She grumbled and griped along the way, GOD continued to provide and prepare Her for that great day.  

 

The Marriage (The Mountain).  Not only did GOD show up, HE spoke directly, to HIS Bride and all that GOD said, HIS Bride “promised” She would do, even before the contract was written.  “All that GOD has spoken, we…will…do”! (EXO 19:8; EXO 24: 3, 7).  Today, will call this the SHEMA (or SH’MA; to hear and “OBEY” (DEU 6:4) which applies to all that call themselves “Israel”.  HE then, sealed the marriage contract in blood!  

 

The Betrayal (See EXO 20:1-6; DEU 5:6-10).  Well…we know “the rest of the story”.  The Bride (Israel, mixed-multitude) was “unfaithful” and broke the blood Covenant; however, even in HIS righteous anger and wrath, HE allowed Israel (HIS Bride) to live; HE didn’t give up on HIS Bride, HE didn’t cancel the Covenant, HE prepared the way for their/our act of rebellion, to be forgiven.  According to TORAH (HIS Law/Instruction), GOD had every right to “divorce and kill” HIS Bride, then and there”, but HE didn’t!! We Thank GOD for HIS “GRACE and HIS MERCY”! 

 

We, “no longer” take GOD’S Grace (khesed in Hebrew) and Mercy (rachamim in Hebrew) HIS Covenants, for granted.  We now understand GOD’S use of Covenants and GOD’S love as a blessing and covering over our lives and as a result we try to live our lives and love HIM as HE Commands.  We are a TORAH observant couple who loves GOD the way “HE” Commands us to love HIM.  HE has revealed HIS truth to us, “the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD” and “adopted” us into Israel, we are now obligated to live by faith and according to HIS TORAH (Instruction) just as Israel is still Commanded to do, today!!  

 

Conversation on Shabbat.  As we (Wife and I), were enjoying our weekly Shabbat (coffee and conversation), my Wife made an “eye-opening” observation.  

 

The Setting.  We recently joined a study series on the book of the Revelation given to YESHUA (Messiah) by HIS FATHER, passed on to John (The beloved Apostle) in a vision, by an angel of GOD.  

 

The observation.  Husband, “there sometimes seems to be a pattern of “doom and gloom” for GOD’S Covenanted people; past, present and future”.  

 

The Discussion.  Wife, “that is an excellent observation”; however, we both quickly came to the realization that “blessings and curses” have followed GOD’S Covenanted people since the garden (creation).  The Holy Scriptures witness, and testify, and are a record of Israel’s (mixed-multitude) behavior/works (past and present and future), and of GOD’S “work(s)”, HIS Interaction with HIS chosen people.  When HIS chosen vessels were “OBEDIENT”, they bathed in GOD’S blessings; however, when they “REBELLED”, the consequences were dire (curses) and are still the same today!   Not only were they warned “repeatedly” (as we are today) through the prophets, in many scenarios GOD sent HIS personal messengers (angelic beings) to warn of impending judgement and wrath and in some cases, to execute the same!  YES…GOD does get angry (righteous anger)…as revealed in the Holy Scripture.  

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The Greatest Love Story Ever Told (The Holy Scriptures)!  Though GOD’S anger, judgement and wrath are justified and “righteous”, the pattern is one of love and forgiveness.  HE “cannot and will not turn a blinds-eye” to sin.  HE provided us a definition of sin, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law (TORAH):  for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4) and, HE revealed through HIS chosen vessel (King David), “whom we sin against”,  “Against YOU, YOU only, have I sinned,  and done this evil in YOUR sight—that YOU may be found just when YOU speak, and blameless when YOU judge (PSALM 51:4).

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HE calls HIS Covenanted people, HIS chosen vessels, HIS Bride (HIS Love), and warns them/us to watch, wait, be faithful, loyal and obedient until HE returns.  HE provided instruction (TORAH) and personal examples (The Patriarchs, Prophets, YESHUA Messiah, and HIS Apostles) on how to live a set-apart (sanctified) life, in preparation for HIS return.  It is up to HIS Bride (Israel/us), to keep the lamps filled with oil and burning, and watching, so we will be ready when the MASTER returns.  This is our walk, this is our “Journey Message.”  As always, we invite you to join us on our “journey of faith”.  SHALOM!

 

“HALLELUYAH” (A command/imperative to praise GOD). “Blessed is the man that “feareth” GOD, that delighteth greatly in His Commandments (PSALM 112:1-2)”.

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“STUDY”