Christ, the mediator of, fulfils all its conditions in behalf of his people, and
dispenses to them all its blessings. In Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24, this title is
given to Christ. (See DISPENSATION.)
- COVERING OF THE EYES occurs only in Genesis 20:16. In the Revised
Version the rendering is “it (i.e., Abimelech’s present of 1,000 pieces of
silver to Abraham) is for thee a covering of the eyes.” This has been
regarded as an implied advice to Sarah to conform to the custom of married
women, and wear a complete veil, covering the eyes as well as the rest of
the face. - COVETOUSNESS a strong desire after the possession of worldly things
(Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10;
Matthew 6:20). It assumes sometimes the more aggravated form of avarice,
which is the mark of cold-hearted worldliness. - COW A cow and her calf were not to be killed on the same day
(Leviticus 22:28; Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 22:6, 7). The reason for this
enactment is not given. A state of great poverty is described in the words
of Isaiah 7:21-25, where, instead of possessing great resources, a man shall
depend for the subsistence of himself and his family on what a single cow
and two sheep could yield. - CRANE (Isaiah 38:14; Jeremiah 8:7). In both of these passages the
Authorized Version has reversed the Hebrew order of the words. “Crane
or swallow” should be “swallow or crane,” as in the Revised Version. The
rendering is there correct. The Hebrew for crane is’agur, the Grus cincerea,
a bird well known in Palestine. It is migratory, and is distinguished by its
loud voice, its cry being hoarse and melancholy. - CREATION “In the beginning” God created, i.e., called into being, all
things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely
free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in
the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead
(Genesis 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6); (3) to the Son
(John 1:3; Colossians 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Job
26:13; Psalm 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah
as the true God (Isaiah 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Psalm 96:5; Jeremiah 10:11,
12). The one great end in the work of creation is the manifestation of the
glory of the Creator (Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; Romans 11:36).
God’s works, equally with God’s word, are a revelation from him; and