This article briefly discusses the concept of God's covenants that we see all over scripture. I will also expose the idea of relationship with Jesus vs a biblical covenant. Sadly in churchianity the focus, concept and theology of covenants has been lost/removed but it plays a main role in our faith life IF we aim to reach/please God. This article will help you to understand what a covenant is, who can install them, what were the covenants that we see in scripture and lastly; what covenant we are in today.
Lets begin by understanding what a covenant is:
But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. Genesis 6:18
The word covenant in Hebrew is bereeth and it is a agreement, compact, alliance, a pledge or divine ordinance. In our modern world we might say a contract between two parties to carry out a business deal. A great example of a covenant is a marriage. Two parties agree to the terms and live it out together. If one party breaks the agreement or leaves the covenant, it is broken. In this biblical case; God alone is the One who makes a covenant and in these situations it is with men He covenants with for His purpose and glory. There is always multiple parties and agreements (rules) to be kept in this covenant or it is void.
Fact: God always dealt with mankind in a covenant when something was very important or had a wide effect on mans future. And since God does not change, we also know He has a on going covenant today. Are you in it with Him via the gospel?
In God's Holy Word, there are 5 main covenants we will explore.
Note: some will say there are more then 5 covenants and as example that God had a covenant with Adam and Eve as well. This was to not eat of that one tree but; scripture does not use the term covenant there. The following is a list of 5 clear and main covenants God had in scripture:
The Noahic
Genesis 9:9
And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
God favored Noah who was righteous and faithful so He spared him from the wrath and allowed his seed to repopulate the earth.
The Abrahamic
Genesis 17:4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
God also favored Abraham a righteous man who by faith believed God and through him Israel was born, the nation that God would be endeared to as His people.
The Mosaic
Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
This is the covenant that brought the 10 Commandments (moral law) and the 613 laws given to Israel as a nation.
The Davidic
Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
2 Chronicles 7:18
In this covenant, God promised David his lineage would bring the Messiah to rule from his seat.
The New Covenant
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:31
God spoke of this NEW covenant in the OT Word as well as the NEW
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:18 thru 20
The Greek word here for testament is diatheke and it means basically a covenant just as in the OT word.
In this final covenant, God brings the Savior in the flesh to fulfill all that was spoken of by the law, the Prophets and Holy scripture. He lives a perfect life, sheds His blood then rises again to defeat death and be the saving Lamb of God for those who will repent and seek Him. While this covenant in Jer 31 is made with Israel, we as gentiles are grafted into Christs body, as His people along with the Jews. See Romans 11
A study of covenants in holy scripture helps to prove that God operates in them still as He is a God of power, promises and prophecy. To remove the concept of them undermines His ways and leads to heretical man made theology in its place.
Example: God has always said in His covenants; I will do this, if you mankind do this.... making it a cooperative two sided agreement. The concept of faith with works has ALWAYS been part of the agreements He required. ( faith, holiness, obedience) When man removes the covenant theology, you get sinful saints and easy believe gospels that proclaim just believe and God does it all for you no matter what you do or dont do. That is foreign to the heart/ways of God and how he deals with man in His covenants all through time.
While the terms and exact rules have changed from the OLD to the NEW covenant; the agreement of two and saving faith with works of oedience has NOT changed. Remember this verse from the Old covenant I quoted?
Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Jesus echoes the exact same mindset in the NEW Testament in John 15 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Another great pitfall of churchianity heresy is the "I am in a relationship with Jesus" mindset that leads to a lack of holiness and obedience to His Word/covenant. Instead if you walked through this life saying, I am in a blood covenant with God via Christ, it would make you realize you do indeed have a part to play; if you rightly understand what a covenant is to God. He died and did His part for us now; will you do your part? I encourage you to ponder the NEW covenant and if you are following Jesus; live like it. Meaning that you are in that blood covenant how striving to keep what the NT Word and some pre Torah commands of you; as fruit you know Him.
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1
I hope this covenant lesson has enlightened you on the use of them and how important they are to God all through scripture and they should be important to us as well.
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God be praised
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