Covenants in the Bible
Lesson 01 – What is a Covenant?
Are you familiar with covenants in the Bible? There is a popular belief among many Christians that God made a covenant with the people of Israel which was too legalistic. They felt that it had too many rules to follow. So, Jesus made a new covenant that simplified God’s commandments into two rules of love. The new covenant Jesus made replaced the old covenant that God made.
However, is this what the Bible really says about the old and new covenants? Let us study through the covenants in the Bible and find out!
What is a covenant? A covenant is a legal contract or agreement between two or more parties. A few examples of covenants in the Bible include:
- Noahic covenant (Genesis 9:8-17)
- Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12-17)
- Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19-24)
- Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7)
There are two types of covenants. A conditional covenant depends upon the faithfulness of the parties involved and can be invalidated if one of the parties breaks the conditions or stipulations of the covenant. An unconditional covenant is independent of the faithfulness of the parties and remains valid even if one of the parties breaks the conditions or stipulations of the covenant.
Covenants in the Bible are usually ratified by a covenant meal or sacrifice, or are accompanied by a sign (e.g. the rainbow, Genesis 9:13).
As we study the covenants in the Bible, we will learn more of God’s love, grace, and compassion for us!