Covenants

14 June

CovenantsCovenants.

What are they?

What do they mean?

How do they work?

To whom do they apply?

In order for us to understand and have a relationship the God of the Bible, it’s imperative for each person to have a working knowledge and an answer to each of the questions listed above. Today we’re looking at His word to obtain a concise explanation for both of these things!

In the Bible we find there are seven types of covenants God has instituted and revealed to mankind, although some classify these as eight distinctive covenants. Below you’ll find a general description of each, and how they worked in the dispensation they fell under.

Within the seven types of covenants there are two categories; conditional and unconditional covenants.

Four of the covenants God instituted were specifically made with the nation of Israel. These include the Abrahamic, Palestinian, Mosaic, and Davidic Covenants.

Of those four covenants, three are considered unconditional, meaning regardless of what mankind does, God is still going to do what He does. The one conditional covenant God made with the nation of Israel was the Mosaic Covenant. God’s blessings and cursings were defined within this one covenant.

Adamic Covenant

This covenant is often broken into two parts, thus the difference between 7 and 8 covenants.

Edenic Covenant (age of innocence) Genesis 1:26-302:16-17

This gave specific directives on how to care for creation and God’s instruction     about the tree of knowledge.

Adamic Covenant (age of grace) Genesis 3:15 Genesis 3:16-19

This enveloped the curses upon mankind because of Adam’s actions and God’s grace for that sin.

Noahic Covenant

This was an unconditional covenant between Noah specifically, and to mankind generally. God promised He would never wipe out mankind again through a flood. Each time we see a rainbow we’re witnesses to God’s promise. Genesis 9:11-17

Abrahamic Covenant

This covenant enveloped many of the promises God made to Abraham.

  1. God would make his name great Genesis 12:2
  2. Abraham would have lots of descendants Genesis 13:16
  3. Abraham would be the father of many nations Genesis 17:4
  4. Geographical boundaries of the Abrahamic Covenant encompasses large areas of land; Genesis 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18-21
  5. Families of the world would be blessed Genesis 12:322:18

Palestinian Covenant

This covenant reiterated the land given to Israel in the Abrahamic covenant. It lists God’s promises of what would happen over time and His continual provision for them. Deuteronomy 30:1-10

Mosaic Covenant

In Deuteronomy 11 we find a history lesson of sorts. It contains a reminder of what God has done with and for the nation of Israel, along with the blessings and cursings they would incur based on obedience.

A list of all 613 commandments are found in the OT (Torah) – 365 were negative, 248 were positive. An easy way to remember these is there are 365 days in a year, and 248 bones and main organs in the human body God has blessed you with.

Davidic Covenant

This covenant encompasses the lineage of David and God’s promise the Messiah would come through his line. 2 Samuel 7:8-16

David was promised his lineage would never perish and we see this today with the body of Christ still on the face of the earth (Matthew 16:18). David was also promised his kingdom would never permanently go away, and while his throne isn’t in operation today, we know a day will come when the King Jesus will reign forever and ever! Luke 1:32-33

New Covenant

The New Covenant, (also referred to as the New & Everlasting Covenant) tells us numerous things, and provides several promises from the Lord.

First of all, the relationship between God and man was markedly changed. The Everlasting Covenant is first for the nation of Israel, then the Gentile, providing a universal knowledge of God. Jeremiah 31:31-34

The next thing we see are several promises God provides to us –

He forgives sin – John 3:16 

Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it – Matthew 5:17

Salvation is a gift that cannot be earned – Ephesians 2:8-9

With this understanding we can have confidence to go before the throne of grace and know with assurance where we stand with our benevolent Lord!Hebrews 4:16

If you’re LDS, we pray that you’ll read over the references provided and apply them to your own life! When/if you read the teachings of the Church (any church for that matter), you should be able to reference what the Bible says and compare it with what they say. If it doesn’t line up with God’s word, walk away.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle †

1 Cor 1:18

References:

KJV

Doctrine.org

Holman Bible Dictionary

Desiring God

Got Questions?

Messianicorganization.org

Tags: , , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply