The Way of Covenant Holiness

The way of covenant holiness stood out to me when the Advent Candle reader recited Isaiah 35 in our International church. The words, even if they are fools, they shall not go astray (v. 8). Wow, I thought, we who are in God’s covenant way, the Way of Holiness – even when we are fools, even when we go astray, even when we say or do stupid things – the loving Lord who provides a covenant connection will still redeem us! He provides a way of covenant holiness.

Isaiah 35:8 says,

And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
    It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. (ESV)

The highway is the consecrated way of God’s covenant provided for his people. “Only those who have been cleansed and consecrated are privileged to walk on the road of salvation.”^[1]R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 1184.This causeway, known and elevated, stands under our feet. We are on the covenant highway as believers and make no mistake that God expects holiness in our walk.

The covenant way is based on holiness and sustains purity. Our covenant salvation foundation comes from the provision of Christ’s death on the cross. God redeems and ransoms his people so that they rejoice and “have everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.” (Isaiah 35:10). God intervenes on our behalf with a covenant relationship and blesses those on the path. He gives the way of covenant holiness.

The Covenant Way Protects

God’s protection is evident when he states that the unclean do not come into the way, but the highway guards against their intervention (Isaiah 35:8). He works on our behalf in his covenant love. This highway makes way for our God in the coming of Christ (Isaiah 40:3). Yesterday visiting a dear Persian sister who just broke her leg, she felt God was punishing her for the circumstances she had recently faced. Comforting her with the assurance of God’s covenant that now she is God’s lovely child. God may have a lesson for her as a child of God, but punishing in a vengeful manner does not characterize how God protects those who “belong.” Instead, God provides and initiates a relationship with us to show us how to walk with Him in His love.

The Covenant Way Promotes Belonging

Belongingness characterizes the Highway of holiness. We enter into a place of belonging, not by any merit of our own or our actions but by the provided covenant sacrifice of God himself. Believers belong on the Way of Holiness because he opened the door for us. We walk, stumble, and act foolishly at times, but He walks alongside us since we belong to Him. Belongingness connects us to God personally to walk with him. We can say we now have access to God, indwelling us to live in holiness.

Despite Foolishness – the Covenant Remains

Covenant placement remains, even when foolishness comes. Un-conditionality and perseverance in covenant mark the Way of Holiness. God does not label members of his family as black sheep. We do not become a disgrace, worthless, or dishonored. The words counter social and theological thought – even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. Not based on any merit for good but on belongingness in a covenant with God. He seals a covenant relationship and does not give up on us in our stupidity.

“Those that walk in the way of holiness may proceed with a holy security and serenity of mind, knowing that nothing can do them any real hurt; they shall be quiet from the fear of evil.” Matthew Henry^[2]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 1145.

Similarities to a Covenant Marriage

A covenant marriage characterizes two people on a path of holiness where their promises which joined them to God, will sustain them. Their covenant way protects their relationship, and God will provide the strength and ability to remain. God granted the provisions for salvation and the power to live covenant-like. We are a new creation in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us, and God’s Word guides us to live in this new identity. So likewise, as a couple, we have the same provisions for living as new spouses empowered by the Holy Spirit and led by the Word of God.

A covenant marriage promotes belonging to each other exclusively, so the relationship needs protection. Likewise, our marriage was formed by promising before God so that the marriage unity invites Him as the initiator and keeper of our relationship. For this reason, just like reading Advent Scriptures, the preparation and repeated meditation on the Word of God will give us hope, love, peace, and joy.

Unconditional love applies to those; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. Despite foolish actions, hope remains to find forgiveness and a continuation of holiness. Repentance, a change of mind and heart toward our foolish ways, begins the renewal. No believer or spouse has the freedom to be an immoral fool since the foundation and belongingness present a responsibility to work toward the Way of Holiness.

Calvin’s Counsel

The words of John Calvin help us, “God will go before them to lead and direct the way. And the context absolutely demands it; for it would not be enough to have the way opened up, if God did not go before to guide his people. The Prophet therefore extols this inestimable kindness, when he represents God as journeying along with his people…. But the Prophet shews that we shall be in no danger of going astray, when we shall follow God as the leader of the way; for he condescends to perform this office…At the same time he points out how necessary it is that God should govern us, in directly laying folly to our charge.”^[3]John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, vol. 3 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 71.

God cares for us and will not let us to go astray from the covenant. As children, he may discipline us but will preserve us.

God willingly and readily walks with us – Today, will we walk with him on the path of covenant holiness in our life and marriage?

For further Advent reading, check out my series on the Persian Magi.