"TYPES OF COVENANTS"
The word covenant comes from the Hebrew and is "berith," which means to cut and is translated as 'will,' 'covenant,' or 'testament.' In the biblical view a covenant is not a joint obligation but is rather a commitment. Ezekiel 17:12-20 declares it to be a terrible sin to break covenant. As declared in 1 Samuel 20:8 the presence of God makes it a solemn event. Covenants were sometimes sealed with gifts or monuments were erected. They could be made between man and man, in marriage, by nations, or an agreement between superiors to subordinates.
Since man is not equal to God, it is God who invokes covenant as He did with Israel the nation. Choosing to covenant with someone should only be decided on after much prayer. It is a good idea to have a witness and you may want to exchange gifts. Sometimes there was the letting of blood between two parties and this became a blood covenant. Covenants were made publicly and one great example is when you partake of holy communion. All I can say is thanks be to God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Without the shedding of blood there is no covering for our sins.
May I now begin with overviews concerning the agreements in the Bible. The first covenant is known as the Edenic Covenant. Man was placed in the ideal situation. All he had to was obey and God would provide his needs. He was told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was his responsibility to then dress and keep the garden. He was to multiply and repenish the earth {Genesis 1:26-31; 2:16-17}.
Next is the unconditional Adamic Covenant that declared what life would be for man since the fall. It included the cursing of the serpent as well as the sorrow and pain subjugated to the woman. Man was to till the ground and earn his living by the sweat of his brow. A flaming cherub was placed to guard Eden after they were removed from the garden.
Now we speak of the proceeding one, the Noahic Covenant which was also unconditional. This one not only picks up from Adam but adds the principle of human government. This was to curb sin and capital punishment was instituted. Man's dominion over the animals was reaffirmed and permission was given to eat the flesh of such. It also included prophecy concerning the Messiah to come. Note the seal of this particular covenant was the rainbow! [Genesis 3-4; 9:1-18].
The sign of the circumcision is introduced in the absolutely unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. This covenant announces the blessings and cursings in Genesis 12. The unchangeableness of God's purpose is made known in Hebrews 6:13-18. In Galatians 3:5 we find that nothing can be added to an established covenant. It was a universal blessing to Abraham's seed and did not depend on man's ability to meet God's standard.
Promises are made to Abraham in Genesis 17:16. The covenant stayed in place even those Abraham's descendants had sinned. David believe it to be so as we read in I Chronicles 16:15-18. It was counted as a law unto Jacob and to be everlasting to Israel. After this one comes the Mosaic Covenant given to govern His relationship to the people of Israel. The civil laws, cermonial laws, and the laws of sacrifice, worship, and cleansing. Galatians 3:24 states that the law was a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ.
In the original language the term schoolmaster was referred to as "boy leader." We know from the New Testament we are to come to "fulness in Christ." Remember, the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Now may we speak somewhat of the Palestinian/Deuteronomic Covenant as well as the Davidic covenant. The Palestinian Covenant was established by God with Israel after 40 years of wandering. The land he promised to Abraham's descendants was present day Palestine. It is from the Euphrates River in the north to the river of Egypt in the South "the Nile," as some would say! The western boundary is considered to be the Mediterranean Sea. On the east the boundary extends to the desert region beyond the river Jordan.
It has never been fully occupied by them yet so this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. Some day Israel will totally possess the land and the Millenium will be in place. It is there God-given inheritance and their salvation is promised also in Romans 11:26 which says all Israel will be saved. The Gentile age will have then passed, verse 25.
The Davidic Covenant is understood from the scriptures. He is promised his lineage would endure; his kingdom would never completely pass away; and, neither would his ruling authority. Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, comes thru his lineage according to the flesh. {2 Samuel 7:14-16; 1 Chronicles 17:13-15; 2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Chronicles 7:18; 21:7; Psalm 89:3,4; Jeremiah 33:19-26}
The promise of the New Covenant is made in Jeremiah 31:31 and it cannot ever be declared null and void. It is a great promise between YAHWEH and the House of Israel. This covenant declares many things: 1) Regeneration and the giving of a new heart; 2) the forgiveness of sin and the filling of the Holy Spirit [Jeremiah 31:34; Ezekiel 36:26, 27]; the people of Israel would acknowledge YHWH [Ezekiel 36:27] and 3) Israel's heart is toward God forever [Jeremiah 32:39,40; Ezekiel 36:27; 37:23, 24]; national blessings shall be on Israel and the Holy Spirit of God would never leave them [Isaiah 59:21].
For more info read Ezekiel Chapters 34-37. In Jeremiah 32:40 God promises never to turn away again from His people! Here is where the church of the living God fits in the picture. We carry on with the promises made under the New Covenant by partaking of Communion. As believers we are regenerated, forgiven, and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The law of God is written in our hearts [Romans 7:22; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Peter 1:4].
Special provisions are made under this promise. It is a better priesthood [distinguish the differences between Leviticus 16:6 and Hebrews 7:26-28]. Before was burnt offerings and ritual but now we have a better sacrifice as we understand this in Hebrews 9:11-14. It is once and for all!!! We are established with a better foundation as we read in Hebrews 8:6 since we now have better promises. All glory be to the true God YHWH "YAHWEH." I pray this article helps and strengthens you by the power of the Holy Spirit!
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