In each of the individual, historical covenantal administrations, the intended end of God’s covenantal work is stated in terms of “the Immanuel principle”—“I shall be your God and you shall be My people.” With these words, God promises to be Immanuel (which means “God with us”) to His people. God first articulates this principle to Abraham in Genesis 17:7. He has Moses reiterate it to the Israelites prior to the exodus in Exodus 6:7. The Immanuel principle then is connected with the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7:14 and, after the exile, gives shape to the new covenant that the prophets proclaim to Israel in Ezekiel 36:28 and Jeremiah 31:33. Finally, 2 Corinthians 6:16 uses it to articulate what God is doing in the New Testament church, even as Revelation 21:3 proclaims it as the glorious bliss of the new heavens and the new earth. Running throughout all of the biblical covenants, there is this striking unity of purpose. God will have His people.

STEPHEN G. MYERS, GOD TO US – COVENANT THEOLOGY IN SCRIPTURE, 163.