The Gospel did not begin in the New Testament. It began in Genesis. Sin entered the world with the Fall in Genesis 3. Things were not going as planned, and God made a covenant with Abraham, an older man who would give rise to the special nation we know as Israel.

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

This agreement is known as the Abrahamic Covenant.  Unfortunately, humanity continued to go astray. With the Israelites, there was a repeated tendency to turn away from God. Israel started asking for a king, a different king. God was not good enough for the Israelites; they rejected Him.

“And the Lord said to Samuel, Obey the voice of the people in all they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

God granted the Israelites their kings, but their hope for a unique king did not happen.

Then, God made a promise through Jeremiah.

“For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after these days, declares the Lord. I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

Sin would be forgiven, God would restore their relationship with Him. He would do this through a promised king who would bring forgiveness.

This was good news!