Covenant: Understanding God's Sacred Agreements with Humanity

A covenant is a solemn, legally binding agreement that establishes permanent and defined relationships between the parties involved, incorporating specific promises and obligations for both sides.

The Foundation of Biblical Covenants

Covenants serve as a foundational theme throughout Scripture, outlining God's plan to restore humanity and establish relationships based on love and trust. Unlike ordinary contracts that remain effective only while both parties fulfill their commitments, covenants represent divine initiatives that transcend human faithfulness. When one party fails to fulfill their requirements, the other may be released from their obligations, yet God's covenants demonstrate His unwavering faithfulness despite human failure.

Throughout biblical history, God has established several covenants with mankind. The Old Testament covenant was the agreement of law between God and Israel based on works, requiring observance of numerous rules and standards (Ex 19:5-6). Under this arrangement, they would be God's special people, yet approach to God was limited through priests and the blood of repeated animal sacrifices. This system proved "weak through the flesh," often neglected and disobeyed, resulting in divine discipline (Rom 8:3).

God "keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commands...rewarding those that diligently seek Him" (Deut 4:29; Neh 1:5; Dan 9:4; Heb 11:6). However, because the Israelites failed to obey and maintain their side of the agreement, the old covenant (recorded from Genesis to Malachi) was replaced by a new agreement (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:6-13). The old was fulfilled when Christ implemented the new, completing everything the old pointed forward to (Jn 19:30).

It should be noted: some were conditional covenants with an 'if' attached, resulting in blessing when there is obedience, or curse when disobeyed. God determines the terms and conditions; mankind can accept or reject the offer. When humanity breaks their side of the covenant, God is released from His side of the deal (Deut 29:24-28; Jdg 2:1-3; Ezek 17:15-21).

Do I endeavour to do what I have said?

Other covenants were unconditional – man had to do nothing to make their provision happen, their fulfillment being entirely dependent on God, who declared, "My covenant I will not break, nor change what I have said" (Ps 89:30-34). In the Bible, a covenant could be made with an individual (ultimately spreading down the family line, e.g., Noah and Abraham), a nation (the Israelites), or all people.

The Five Foundational Covenants

While the Bible mentions numerous covenants, five are considered foundational to understanding Scripture's narrative and God's redemptive plan as they progressively build upon one another: God preserving the world through Noah, initiating redemption through Abraham and forming a special people through Israel, promising a shepherd-king through David, and then fulfilling all His covenantal promises through Jesus, who now sits at God's right-hand reigning as shepherd-king over the earth and will continue to reign forever over the new creation.

Noahic Covenant. God forms an unconditional covenant with Noah following the flood, wherein He pledges never again to devastate the earth using a flood to cleanse it of wickedness. The rainbow serves as a symbol of this promise (Gen 9:9-17). God renews the blessings of His creation and commands humanity to go and multiply.

Abrahamic Covenant. God told Abraham He would make a great nation of his family, they would inherit the land of Canaan, and He would be their God (Gen 12:1-3, 15:1-21, 17:3-8). Abraham was instructed to leave his land, follow divine guidance, live blamelessly, train his family in righteousness and justice, and maintain the tradition of circumcision for every generation (Gen 17:9-14). This covenant is both conditional and unconditional, requiring roles from both parties; however, the promises are ultimately assured to be fulfilled by divine intervention.

Mosaic Covenant. God establishes a covenant with the Israelites through Moses, giving them the Ten Commandments and laws for living in a relationship with God (Ex 19:1-23:33). This was a conditional covenant of grace. Israel was to obey the terms represented in those laws. Blessings would result if they followed His commands, but curses would result if they disobeyed, including exile into foreign lands (Deut 28:1-68). This law was not a means of salvation but would distinguish the people from the surrounding nations.

Davidic Covenant. God's covenant with King David ensures his lineage and kingdom will endure forever and is the basis for the hope of a Messiah (2 Sam 7:8-16). This promise is ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who sits on the throne in a position of authority (Lk 1:32-33; Eph 1:21; Heb 8:1, 12:2; Rev 3:21). David and his descendants were to remain faithful to God.

However, Israel repeatedly violated the terms of the covenants. Instead of being God's covenant-keeping people, they were nothing but covenant-breakers! Regardless of how unfaithful people may be, God will still fulfill His covenants with Israel regardless of their disobedience. Note: Replacement theology, by which some believe the church fulfills the covenants and God will never deal with Israel again, is not supported by Scripture.

The New Covenant: Grace and Transformation

God pledged to establish a New Covenant of grace that would be distinct, as it involved transforming people's hearts so they would be inclined to remain faithful (Jer 31:31-34). Initiated by Jesus, this covenant offers forgiveness of sins and a restoration of humanity's relationship with God through faith in Jesus's once and only sacrificial death, as well as the indwelling presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This gift of salvation is available to everybody; however, He won't force it on anyone.

Personal faith and responsibility is required, with God declaring He will give a new heart to those who enter into this agreement (Ezek 11:19, 36:26; Jn 1:12, 3:16; Rom 10:13). This covenant is based on the fact that man cannot save himself by his works, rather his hope is placed entirely on the love, grace, and mercy of God, being made acceptable by the blood of Christ (Eph 1:6-8, 2:8,9). While the Old Testament was based on a formula of regulations and rules, the New Testament is centered on relationship and grace (Jn 1:12,17, 15:14-15; Rom 6:14).

We voluntarily enter into this agreement

Our part is to repent of sin, and accept Christ's offer of salvation, to take up our cross daily and to be a witness for Him. He will forgive our sin, be within us, and enable us to increasingly appropriate the salvation of our soul (Jn 14:17; 1 Cor 3:16; Heb 13:5; 1 Pet 1:8-9; 1 Jn 1:9). At the Last Supper, Jesus said, "My blood is the blood of the new covenant" (Mt 26:28). Partaking of Communion shows we are recommitting ourselves to the new agreement, which will culminate with our entrance into heaven (1 Cor 11:25).

The Marriage Covenant and Personal Commitments

The Marriage Covenant. Marriage should be viewed as a covenant, with a strong and unyielding commitment, that includes forsaking our independent views, and a promise to remain loyal to our spouse (Mal 2:14-16; Mt 19:4-6,9; Mk 10:11-12). It is more than a legal contract, evidenced by a certificate. Do I view my marriage as a lasting commitment till death parts us or a temporary casual convenience until the novelty wears off and there is a conflict of opinion ending in divorce?

Do I have God's perspective

David and Jonathan, whose hearts were 'knit together', entered a covenant (1 Sam 18:1-4, 20:16-17). This was much more than a shallow friendship agreement. Covenants are not to be entered into lightly; "They (the people) entered into a covenant to seek the Lord...with all their heart and soul" (2 Chr 15:12). Job even made a personal rule for his life in the form of a covenant "I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl" (Job 31:1).

Reflection and Application

As we consider the profound nature of covenants throughout Scripture and in our own lives, it's important to reflect on how these divine agreements apply to our personal walk with God:

Am I faithful to the commitments I make to God and others, understanding that covenant relationships require unwavering devotion?
Do I appreciate the grace of the New Covenant and live in the freedom it provides rather than returning to legalistic practices?
How does understanding God's covenant faithfulness, even when we fail, impact my trust in His promises?
In what areas of my life have I treated sacred commitments as casual agreements rather than binding covenants?