Covenant

<<legally binding or lasting contract>>

Covenants are solemn agreements establishing permanent and defined relationships between the parties involved. They include specific promises and obligations for both sides. Conversely, a contract remains effective only if both parties adhere to their commitments. If one party fails to fulfil its requirements, the other party is released from theirs.

(Ex 19:5,6).  They would be God’s special people.  Approach to God was only through the priests and the blood of repeated animal sacrifices yet was “weak through the flesh”, being often neglected and disobeyed, with discipline resulting (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).  Because the Israelites failed to obey or maintain their side of the agreement the old covenant (as recorded in the Bible 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, which completed everything the old pointed forward to (Jn 19:30).

It should be noted: some were conditional covenants with an ‘if’ attached, resulting in a blessing when there is obedience, or a curse when disobeyed. He determines the terms and conditions; mankind can accept or reject the offer. God will not forget the covenants made; He will keep them (Deut 4:31; Ps 145:13). Yet, 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). Other covenants were unconditional – man had to do nothing to make their provision happen, its fulfilment 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, this would spread down the family line, eg. Noah and Abraham), a nation (the Israelites), or all people.

Covenants serve as a key theme, outlining God's plan to restore humanity and establish a relationship based on love and trust. While the Bible mentions numerous covenants, five are considered foundational to understanding the Bible'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 formed a special people through Israel, promising a shepherd-king through David, and then fulfilling all of 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.

These are explained in more detail:

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 tells them to go and multiply.  

Abrahamic Covenant. God told Abraham He would make a great nation of his family, and 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 fulfil His covenants with Israel regardless of their disobedience.  Note: Replacement theology, by which some believe the church fulfils the covenants and God will never deal with Israel again, is not supported by Scripture.

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 OT was based on a formula of regulations and rules, the NT is centered on relationship and grace (Jn 1:12,17, 15:14,15; Rom 6:14). 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; 1Pet 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).

contract, evidenced by a certificate. Do I view my marriage as a lasting commitment till death parts us or a temporary causal convenience until the novelty wears off and there is a conflict of opinion ending in divorce?

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).

See also: agreement, blood, circumcision, contract, divorce, marriage, new covenant, New Testament, Old Testament, promise, rainbow, replacement theology, testament, vow.