Sermon Illustrations

Moses Did Not Describe A Parity Covenant.

Par – an equality; on the same level. “Because of his extensive self-study and experience, his knowledge is on a par with those who earned degrees.” When you pay par value for a bond, you pay the face amount, neither discounted nor appreciated.

Parity – equality in status, amount or value.

For a brief period years ago I collected coins. You can buy proof sets from the U.S. Mint. Proof coins are made using specially treated dies. Each coin is struck two or more times by the coin die. The coins are struck by hand and not circulated. You buy them in a clear package, which includes one of each ordinary coin - a half-dollar, quarter, dime, nickel and penny.

I have told you about our friend and maid, Eula Mae Smith. I showed her my proof set and she asked about the price. Fifty years ago you could get a set for approximately $3-4. She counted up the 91 cents in the package and said, “Preacho, they saw you coming. You paid too much.”

A U.S. proof set for 1950 is valued at $675. That is WAY above par, way above the value the coins would bring in circulation.

In the sermon on “Blood Covenant” Jonathan and David were on a par – an equality, the same level. They were both young men. One was the son of a king; the other was destined to become a king. Neither had married. They agreed on the terms of the proposed relationship, and entered into a parity covenant.

B. Moses Described a Suzerainty Covenant.

A suzerain is a king or a ruler exercising political control over a dependent state. So a suzerainty covenant was made between a ruler and his subjects. It is a covenant between a superior and an inferior, a stronger and a weaker, a greater and a lesser.