In 1975 Robert and I visited Reichardt and Elizabeth Taylor, who were missionaries in Uruaçu, Brazil. Robert was overseeing five churches in central Brazil at the time, and conversation turned to his concern about the lack of enthusiasm and spiritual hunger of so many long-time Christians. He also shared his frustration and discouragement concerning how to encourage on-going vital faith in the church.
In response, Reighardt said, “Maybe this will help,” and gave him a set of cassette tapes by Malcolm Smith. He wondered how a series on the blood covenant could minister to him, but he expressed gratitude and looked forward to listening to them.
He took the tapes with him on a trip to a little church at Morro Agudo (Pointed Hill) in rural Brazil. He arrived a couple of hours early, so he trudged up the hill, climbed a tree at the top, and settled into the crook of a limb overlooking the countryside below.
As he listened to the first cassette on his portable recorder, his heart erupted in praise. He nearly fell out of the tree with excitement over the new insights he gained into once-obscure Scripture verses from Jesus’ last days and the Lord’s Supper.
Perched on that hilltop, Robert’s view expanded, and his walk with the Lord was transformed. He saw more clearly who he was/is in Christ and the nature of the relationship with Him. His new understanding of the ancient ritual of blood covenanting helped him understand what it means to be one with the living God.
Studying the ancient rite of cutting a blood covenant, biblical heroes that learned to walk in covenant—as well as those who didn’t, and numerous hidden references to the covenant throughout the Scriptures continued to quicken our lives. It also led to a deep desire that all who desire to grow in the Lord could learn about the ancient ritual and its significance for us today.
Robert was seeking help for the church, but God began with him–and me. Together, we have researched, studied, and been transformed by the amazing truths about God illustrated through covenant. We’ve also been challenged by seeing in the Word the victorious lives of those who were faithful to covenant and the pitfalls we face when we turn our backs on our covenant God. The almighty, holy God loves us and wants to have an intimate relationship with us.
We are facing uncertain times. Christians need something concrete to stand on, and we believe a deeper understanding of our relationship with a covenant God will provide that foundation. We believe your life can be transformed, even as ours was.
Our hope and prayer is that you will read The Great Exchange: Bound by Blood, our book on the blood covenant, and that the insights you gain will impact your faith and transform your lives, as it has ours.
You can learn more on our website, and can buy the book wherever books are sold.
(Picture credits: www.panoramio.com)