The Major Works of Herman Witsius

Reformation Heritage Books has recently published The Major Works of Herman Witsius, a five volume set. The books include two volumes containing his magnum opus The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man, two volumes on the Apostles' Creed, and one on the Lord's Prayer. Witsius was a Dutch theologian, pastor, professor of divinity, and obviously an author. Though not as well known as Calvin and Owen, his thought was important to the development of Covenant Theology.

His work on the Apostles' Creed can be read here.
The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man can be read here.

The Eschatological Abraham

Are you blessed? Of course, in a sense we all are. God, in his common grace to man sends blessing from his hand like the rain that I hear this very morning that falls on the just and the unjust. Through Noah, a common grace covenant was given to all mankind that God would never again destroy the inhabitants of earth by flood. We all enjoy the blessings of God in his created order (Gen. 1:28).

But are you really blessed? Not because of health or a quick inventory of your toys and possessions, but are you blessed in the sense that David spoke of the blessed man? "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity" (Psalm 32:1-2a). Are you blessed in the way Jesus spoke of in the beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12).

How does one know that one is blessed in this sense? The promise of blessing came to Abraham, the father of the faithful, through whom God would build and gather his covenant people. Promises were made to Abraham by God that his seed would have a great inheritance which is typified in the land given to Israel but ultimately fulfilled in justification (Gal. 3:8), the giving of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14), and the New Jerusalem (Gal. 3:26).

Those who receive the blessings promised to Abraham are those who are the sons of Abraham. It is through Abraham and in Abraham that we receive this promised blessing. To be blessed in this way, one must be in union with Abraham. However, union with Abraham means nothing, if it does not mean union with Abraham's greater son, Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus Christ that we receive the blessings promised to Abraham (Gal. 3:14). He is the eschatological Abraham in whom we receive true blessing and the fulfillment of these promises on account of our vital union with him.

Covenant Faithfulness and the Unity of the Divine Covenants

Though a Davidic King may have been on the throne, the promises to David and his seed could not cancel the covenant curses Israel would receive for their unfaithfulness during the time of exile.

Though Israel was not faithful to her covenant vows and was expelled from the land, their failure could not abolish the covenant promises to the seed of Abraham, promises that were fulfilled in a greater way than being given real estate in Palestine, but fulfilled in Christ, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the coming new heaven and earth.