WHAT IS A "COVENANT"?

 

For an abridged definition, a Covenant is a contract or binding agreement between two or more parties. In the Old Testament (1), the Hebrew word, "berith," is derived from a root which means "to cut." Hence, a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Genesis 15:17-21; Jeremiah 34:18-19).

 

Listed within this document are Covenants made between God (2) and His chosen servants, as well as Covenants established between two mortals.

 

 

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT COVENANTAL OBLIGATIONS

 

Genesis 31:48-54, Numbers 30:2, Joshua 9:18-20, 1 Samuel 20:8, 1 Samuel 20:42, Jeremiah 34:15-16, Jeremiah 34:18-22, Ezekiel 17:16-18, Amos 1:9, Malachi 2:14-16, Matthew 5:33-37, Galatians 3:15.

 

 

I: THE NOAHIC COVENANT

 

Situation: God unleashes a worldwide flood (3), wiping out the wickedness that had overtaken mankind. Afterward, He makes an unconditional covenant with His servant, Noah (4), vowing to never again destroy the world by flood. The rainbow (Genesis 9:12-16) is a present day reminder of this promise.

 

Supportive Scripture: The narrative for this covenant can be explored in Genesis 6:1-9:28.

 

Key Bible Verse: Genesis 9:11 shares God making His covenant with Noah: "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

 

But Wait, There's More: The Noahic Covenant is also referenced in the following Scriptures: Genesis 10:1, 32; Genesis 11:10; Isaiah 54:9; Matthew 24:38; Luke 17:27; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5.

 

 

II: THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

 

Situation: As has often been the case throughout the ages, prideful arrogance was an element in the failure of the Noahic covenant. The account of the Tower of Babel (5) in Genesis 11:1-9 ends with the LORD confusing the language of the whole world as He scatters His people over the face of the whole earth. God later repairs this breach by making a covenant with Abram (Abraham) (6).

 

Supportive Scripture: The narrative for this covenant can be explored in Genesis 12:1-17:27.

 

Key Bible Verse: Genesis 12:1-3 shares God promises of property, descendants, blessings and redemption to Abram and his people: “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

 

But Wait, There's More: The Abrahamic Covenant is also referenced in the following Scriptures: Genesis 15:17-21; 22:17-18, 26:4-5, 28:14, 49:3-28; Exodus 2:24; Joshua 21:43; 2 Kings 13:23; Nehemiah 9:7-8; Psalms 105:8-9; Galatians 3:16-18, 26-29.

 

 

III: THE MOSAIC COVENANT

 

Situation: Unlike the two previous and unconditional covenants (Noahic and Abrahamic), the Mosaic Covenant was conditional in nature and based largely upon obedience (7) to God. It is named after Moses (8).

 

Supportive Scripture: The narratives for this covenant can be explored in Exodus 19:1-24:18; 34:10, 27-28.

 

Key Bible Verse: Exodus 19:5-6 “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” The covenant is ratified by an animal sacrifice and sprinkling of blood in Exodus 24:4-8.

 

But Wait, There's More: The Mosaic Covenant is also referenced in the following Scriptures: Leviticus 26:14-46; Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20; 2 Corinthians 3:14; Hebrews 8:6, 13, 10:1-4.

 

 

IV: THE PRIESTLY COVENANT

 

Situation: God forged the Priestly Covenant with Aaron (9) and his descendants (Exodus 29:1-46).

 

Supportive Scripture: The narrative for this covenant can be explored in Numbers 18:1-32.

 

Key Bible Verse: In Numbers 18:19, the LORD instructs Aaron, "Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the Lord I give to you and your sons and daughters as your perpetual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring.”

 

But Wait, There's More: The Priestly Covenant is also referenced in the following Scriptures: Exodus 40:15; Numbers 16:10, 25:13; Deuteronomy 10:8, 33:9; 2 Chronicles 13:5; Nehemiah 13:29; Jeremiah 33:21; Ezekiel 44:1; Malachi 2:4; Luke 1:9; Hebrews 7:11-12, 24; 1 Peter 2:5, 9.

 

 

V: THE COVENANT OF PEACE

 

Situation:  As recorded in Numbers 25:1-5, Israelite men yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor and began indulging in sexual immorality with Moabite (10) women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. This angered the LORD, who said, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” In turn, Moses obediently commanded Israel's judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor."

 

Supportive Scripture: The narrative preceding the covenant confirmation can be explored in Numbers 25:6-9. It tells us that Phinehas (11), grandson of Aaron, witnessed an Israelite man bring a Moabite woman before Moses and the whole assembly of Israel, and he executed them.

 

Key Bible Verse: In Numbers 25:10-13, the LORD speaks to Moses about His everlasting covenant of peace with Phinehas. “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal. Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

 

But Wait, There's More: The Covenant of Peace is also referenced in the following Scriptures: Psalms 106:28-31.

 

 

VI: THE DAVIDIC COVENANT

 

Situation: God returns to extending an unconditional covenant here. He promises David (12) that the future Savior, Jesus Christ (13), will come from his lineage (tribe of Judah) (14).

 

Supportive Scripture: The narrative for this covenant can be explored in 2 Samuel 7:1-29 (see also 1 Chronicles 17:11–14 and 2 Chronicles 6:16).

 

Key Bible Verse: In 2 Samuel 7:12-17, the Word of the LORD came to the prophet, Nathan (15), one night with a message for King David: “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord Himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

 

In the New Testament (16), Peter (17) preached that Jesus Christ was a fulfillment of God's promise to David (Acts 2:29-36).

 

But Wait, There's More: Additional references to the Davidic Covenant are recorded in Psalms 72:1-17; 89:3, 34, 39; 132:12; Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5, 30:9, 33:21; Luke 1:32, 69; Acts 13:34; and Revelation 3:7.

 

 

VII: LOOKING AHEAD - A COVENANT TO COME

 

Situation: Many believe that the New Covenant was prophesied about in the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah (18), foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ. Many Christians (19) assert that this unconditional, everlasting and irreversible promise God made with humanity was realized by Christ at The Last Supper (20) (Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12–26, Luke 22:7–39 and John 13:1–17:26).

 

Supportive Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-13 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
 

Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.  They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Click the Hebrews link above to explore the entire passage.

 

Key Bible Verse: In Jeremiah 31:31-34 the LORD declared, “The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them. This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

 

The Old Covenant was written on stone tablets, but the New Covenant is written on our hearts. The latter accomplished what the former was incapable of in the removal of sin and cleansing of the conscience (Hebrews 10:2, 22). By His Victory at Calvary (21), Jesus Christ makes the Old Covenant "obsolete" (Hebrews 8:13), thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah.

 

But Wait, There's More: Additional references to the New Covenant are recorded in Isaiah 9:7; 11:1-16; 42:6; 49:8; 55:3; 54:10; 59:21; 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; 50:5; Ezekiel 16:60, 62; 20:37; 34:25; 36:22-32; 37:26; Hosea 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 3:16, 26-29; Hebrews 7:22, 8:6, 9:15, 12:23-24.

VIII: ADDITIONAL SELECTED COVENANTAL REFERENCES

 

Genesis 21:22-34 Abraham and Abimelek (22) swore an oath with one another over a water well at Beersheba (23) (meaning "well of seven" and/or "well of the oath").

 

Genesis 26:25-32  Isaac (24) and Abimelek swore an agreement of peace amongst their factions to do no harm to one another.

 

Genesis 31 Jacob and his father-in-law (and uncle), Laban (25), made a covenant with one another.

 

Joshua 24  Joshua (26) gathers all the tribes of Israel at Shechem (27), calling for them to throw away their false gods and renew their covenant with the one true God.

 

1 Samuel 23:13-18 David and Jonathan (28) made a covenant at Horesh before the LORD, seeking protection from King Saul (29) (Jonathan's father), who was looking to kill David.

 

1 Kings 5:10-12  King Solomon (30) and Hiram (31) made a treaty with one another to maintain peaceful relations between their factions (see also 1 Kings 9:10-28).

 

1 Kings 15:9-24 (parallel 2 Chronicles 15) This account tells of how Asa (32) (king of Judah) and his people entered, with all their heart and soul, into a covenant with the God of their ancestors.

 

2 Kings 11 (parallel 2 Chronicles 23) Jehoiada (33) was a distinguished priest who served under the reigns of three kings of Judah - Ahaziah (34), Athaliah (Queen) (35), and Joash (36). He made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the LORD’s people and no longer worship Baal (37).

 

2 Kings 18 (parallel 2 Chronicles 29) When King Hezekiah (38) realized his people had slackened in their worship, he called for a covenant with the LORD.

 

2 Kings 23 (parallel 2 Chronicles 34) During Josiah's (39) reign as king of Judah, the Book of The Law (40) was found. He called his people together and read it to them, renewing their covenant in the presence of the LORD.

 

1 Chronicles 11:1-3 David and the elders of Israel made a covenant with one another at Hebron (41) before the LORD, as the leaders made David King over all of Israel.

 

Ezra 10 Israelite men were being unfaithful to God by marrying foreign women. They are now repentant and desire to make a covenant with God by sending away the women and their children.

 

Isaiah 55 records a covenantal prophecy in an "Invitation to the Thirsty."

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Any excerpts offered herein from external resources have been published with permission and no monetary gain is being sought. Footnotes within the narrative have been inserted by The Marion County Manna Project and re-direct to our webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and reflection.

 

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If you're seeking additional information about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (42). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (43) (a) is the most rewarding and everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

 

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (44), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (45), Discipleship Encounters (46) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!

 

Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

 

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FOOTNOTES:

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-Bible

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/noahs-ark

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/noah

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/tower-of-babel

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Abraham

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/obedience

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Moses

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Aaron

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/moabites

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Phinehas

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/a-man-after-Gods-own-heart

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Jesus-Christ

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-Israel

(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/nathan-ot-prophet

(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/new-testament

(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/apostle-peter

(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Jeremiah

(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Christianity

(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-last-supper

(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/crucifixion-of-christ

(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Abimelek

(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Beersheba

(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Isaac

(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Laban

(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joshua-son-of-nun

(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Shechem

(28) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Jonathan

(29) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/they-clamored-for-a-king

(30) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Solomon

(31) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/hiram

(32) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Asa

(33) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jehoiada

(34) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Ahaziah

(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Athaliah

(36) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Joash

(37) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Baal

(38) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Hezekiah

(39) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Josiah

(40) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-law

(41) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Hebron

(42) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city

(43) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor

(44) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(45) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

(46) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

 

 

EXTERNAL SOURCES

  (a)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html