Covenant

I’m rather excited that today’s reading is on the concept of covenant and how covenant is important to the Jewish understanding of God. Covenant is that mysterious silk thread that binds Adam to Jesus. It transcends the Old and New Testaments providing purpose behind the story and promising a good ending.

Before the fall of Adam and Eve, there was perfect fellowship with the Creator. After the fall the relationship between mankind and God was severed. It was inhibited by death and evil. Covenant is the promise of God to be faithful, despite the fall. This covenant begins with God calling Abraham to be the father of covenant. In Genesis 12:2 God says to Abraham, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (ESV). I am particularly struck by the end of this verse, through Abraham God promises to bless the entire earth. God is foreshadowing the redemption of mankind!

The Old Testament understanding of covenant is particularly interesting because it is a binding between two parties based on mutual agreement. In Genesis 17:4 God says, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations” (ESV). Abraham accepts this covenant. The sign of this covenant is circumcision.

In Exodus 20, God gives Abraham’s descendents the Ten Commandments. These laws are a continuation of the covenant made to Abraham. They tell us that God is a Holy God, and in order to be in fellowship with Him people must maintain certain standards. God is binding the children of Abraham to Himself. He is separating his people from the wicked nations.