Covenants
The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go 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." (Genesis 12:1-3)
According to J.I. Packer, "Covenants are solemn agreements, negotiated or unilaterally imposed, that bind the parties to each other in permanent defined relationships, with specific promises, claims, and obligations on both sides." There are essentially two types of covenants in Scripture: a covenant of works and a covenant of grace. A covenant of works does not offer salvation and will result in the spiritual death of those who trusts their ability to fulfill their part of the covenant. The reason for this is because the covenant is annulled if either party fails to perfectly fulfill the conditions of the covenant. On the other hand, the covenant of grace is established upon a relationship that God maintains with those whom He has chosen. This covenant has characteristics that are considered unilateral or hierarchical. That is, such a covenant is mutually binding between the Sovereign and His chosen people, even though its implementation is entirely one sided. An example is the case of Noah. God's sovereignty is evident in His establishment of who was to be saved from the flood by means of the ark (He even decided the means whereby mankind was saved from eternal destruction through His Son Jesus Christ). Furthermore, God determined who should be saved, specifically, Noah, his sons and their wives. God himself administered the covenant, thus...
... middle of paper ...
...ligations, promises, and oaths. When someone enters into a covenant it is implicate that they will fulfill their obligations. From this it is obvious why a covenant is necessary in our relationship with God. God is under no authority but His own, he has no one to call him to account for what he does other than his own standards or righteousness. He has no obligation to anyone; he is completely independent of his creation, his creatures, and of Mankind. How do we know that he will keep his word? How can we be sure that in the end he will not deceive us? The only basis for our hope is that God has bound himself in a covenantal agreement with his people. He has more than promised, or given us his word; rather he has entered into a sacred contract, upon the penalty of death. It is precisely for this reason that we may be assured that He will fulfill all that He has said.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that covenants are solemn agreements that bind the parties to each other in permanent defined relationships, with specific promises, claims, and obligations on both sides.
- Explains the importance of free consent in the establishment of a covenant with god.
- Explains that a covenant involves an ultimate commitment of life and death. a law implies an obligation on the part of one to obey another and the one who must obey only has the responsibility.
- Explains the purpose of a covenant is to guarantee confidence and certainty that the parties will keep their obligations, promises, and oaths.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- comparative
- Old Testament Covenantanalytical essayThe Concept of the Covenant in the Old Testament, maintains, establishes, and identifies the important ideas or the subject of the Israelites history in the Bible. According to The Encyclopedia of Judaism, covenant “refers to a general obligation concerning two parties. It was confirmed either by an oath, a solemn meal, a sacrifice, or by some dramatic act such as dividing an animal and passing of the parties.” God first established the cut covenant with Abraham before He established defining and yoking covenant at Sinai in Exodus. The term “Covenant” has been used for centuries to understand the content of the Bible and the flow of God’s purpose through age's. God use’s Abraham’s Culture to make him understand His covenant with him. God
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the concept of the covenant in the old testament maintains, establishes and identifies the important ideas or the subject of israel's history.
- Explains that the ancient east was full of kingdoms and small tribes constantly war over land and resources. god made a covenant with abraham based on abraham's understanding of the covenant.
- Explains that covenant is a theme that flows through the entire bible and the covenant beginning with abraham is an "everlasting covenant" not just between the divine god and abraham, but of all abraham's offspring.
- Explains that the hebrew word for the covenant is "berit" and the term "alah" from akkadian and hittite is actually related to covenantal deed. covenants are established between states and individuals.
- Analyzes how god's covenant with abraham, which is concerned with a gift of land, contradicts the mosaic covenant which are of an obligation type.
674 wordsRead More - About the The Abrahamic covenantanalytical essayThe Abrahamic covenant is one that deals with fertility and the significance of symbolic sacrifices during this time period (Genesis 17:1). In the story of Abraham and Isaac, God “tests” Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son. While this may seem cruel, God does not allow Isaac to be sacrificed. While Gods motives are questionable, close reading in Genesis shows that based on the story of Abraham and Isaac, human sacrifice is affirmed but only under certain conditions. A sacrifice that involves the death of a human is unacceptable. However, symbolic sacrifice is a vital part of the story because the “test” of Abraham is best thought of as a request for a symbolic or ritualistic sacrifice in place of the sacrificing of human life.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the abrahamic covenant deals with fertility and the significance of symbolic sacrifices during this time period.
- Analyzes how god has questionable motives in the story of abraham and isaac. god was not tempting abraham to do wrong, but was testing to see if he would do what was right.
- Explains that the abrahamic covenant was the first in the biblical scriptures that had any mention of human sacrifice at all.
- Analyzes how the rejection of human sacrifice is supported by the final outcome of the test.
- Analyzes how abraham is not prepared to sacrifice isaac. he challenges god to find his own "lamb" and reassuring his son.
- Explains that the abrahamic covenant focuses on different aspects of relationships and sacrifice. while sacrifice is a common theme within the biblical covenants, it does not have to always be associated with death.
- Explains pan, david t., the human and it's others, humanities core course reader, boston: pearson learning solutions, 1983.
1260 wordsRead More - Israel's Three Covenantsexplanatory essayGenesis 6, God said to Noah, 18 I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark-- you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you. And it shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that god said to noah, 18 "i will establish my covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark." when god brings a cloud over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the cloud.
- Explains that noah built an altar to the lord and offered a burnt sacrifice on the altar. god made three covenants with abraham, first for the land flowing with milk and honey, and the third was the new jerusalem, made without hands.
- Explains that the covenant of circumcision is cutting off the desires and giving higher authority to synthesized gods.
- Explains that god blesses those who bless them and curses the ones who curse them. abraham brought a three-year-old heifer, female goat, ram, turtledove, and pigeon to him.
- Narrates how a deep sleep fell upon abram when the sun was going down, and behold, terror and great darkness fell on him.
- Opines that god doesn't forget his promises. the lord said to abraham, "to your descendants i have given this land, from the river of egypt as far as the great river euphrates."
- Explains that jimmy carter and the un told prime minister menachem begin to give back the sinai peninsula and gaza during the six-day war 1967.
- Explains that the gaza strip was part of the 1949 armistice line agreement the united nations drawn designated to israel. the united states and britton changed things up and declared the west bank as arab.
- Explains that god told his people in exodus 23 that he would send hornets to drive out the hivites, canaanites and hittites before them.
- Opines that moshe dayan was the one eyed commander that gave the orders to conquer golan heights.
- Opines that dayan would send a tractor to plow some area where it wasn't possible to do anything, in the demilitarized area, and knew in advance that the syrians would start to shoot
- Opines that israel must see the sword as the main, if not the only, instrument with which to keep its morale high and to retain moral tension.
1009 wordsRead More - The Role Of Stipulation In The Abrahamic Covenantexplanatory essayIn the Abrahamic Covenant, the only stipulation was to believe in the only God, the one true God. Abram doesn't ask for riches or anything other than a son. He brings up the God has promised to make him a father of nations and that many of his offspring will be endless. If Abram does have a child, Eliezer, his steward, would soon inherit because he had a child. If a man is practical with God, then God will be practical with them. Abram asks only for a son, and God says that he will him a son
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abram's only stipulation was to believe in the only god, the one true god. he brings up the god has promised to make him a father of nations and that many of his offspring will be endless.
99 wordsRead More - Old Covenantcomparative essay1. The name of the Old Testament Our word “covenant” translates the Hebrew word berîth. In the NT covenant and testament both translate the same Greek word (diathēkē). In the title of the Scriptures the meaning “covenant” seems definitely preferable because the Book constitutes a pact, alliance, or covenant between God and His people.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the old testament (or covenant) with the new testament. both testaments are inspired by god and profitable for all christians.
- Explains that hebrew is one of the ancient languages, but it is the only one that has been revived as the modern everyday speech of a nation—israel.
- Explains that aramaic is semitic, but a gentile language, spoken widely in the ancient world for many centuries. as hebrew became dead for the jews, the ot had to be interpreted for them.
358 wordsRead More - Yahweh's Covenant To Egyptanalytical essayIn the covenant made by Yahweh with Abram it seemed far-fetched, however, through Moses and the mosaic covenant, those Hebrews would become Yahweh’s fulfilment to Abraham. This time seems like a slow paced culture with more quiet time in nature, in which people could communicate and maintain a close relationship with Yahweh. Unlike, our hectic, chaotic, and fast paced world we live in today. Our understanding of their faith, and knowledge of Yahweh’s laws seem unfathomable, similar to some family of bush people who live in the mountains. At the same time, we live in an advanced culture where knowledge is readily available, so people can learn. Even solitude proved difficult for the Hebrews, as they continued to rebel. Through each step the Hebrews became more established as a nation. Furthermore, the relationship between Yahweh’s covenant with Abraham and the Exodus, only became a reality later, even though, those Hebrews needed to endure Yahweh’s
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the hebrews became yahweh's fulfilment to abraham through moses and the mosaic covenant.
- Analyzes how yahweh used a faithful servant to prove his divinity. moses escapes death, and abraham and sarah lacked faith.
- Explains that before the exodus, the only laws available for the hebrews were passed down through the patriarchs and matriarch, but the mosaic covenant became tangible.
- Analyzes how the transition from genesis to exodus shows a common lack of understanding by even the most righteous of hebrews.
- Explains that the relationship between abraham's covenant and the exodus, was a set path established by yahweh, for those people and future generations to discern and understand.
751 wordsRead More - Isaiah 24: The Little Apocalypseanalytical essayIt does appear that this covenant in question is made for all of God’s people as John Oswalt proclaims, “thus while the eternal covenant may have specific reference to the Noachic covenant in Gen. 9-1-17, with its prohibition of bloodshed, its broader reference is to the implicit covenant between creator and creature, in which the Creator promises abundant life in return for the creatures living according to the norms laid down at creation.”[4] In this sense we are looking at God’s final judgement on His creation. Professor Yates video presentations are most helpful where he asserts that in “Isaiah 24: 25 God is going to judge the earth and all inhabitants for they have violated the everlasting covenant. This is not a covenant with Israel exclusively, it becomes clear this holds the nations accountable for their blood shed. This covenant is also the basis for judgement of the nations in Amos chapters 1 and 2.” [5]. It is everyone’s dismal failure not to bear responsibility for God’s final judgement.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that isaiah 24 is a scathing future judgment by god of all the nations. the question is whether this message from the prophet addresses one group of peoples or the whole world.
- Explains that while many view isaiah 24:27 (niv) as a covenant between god and humankind at creation there are those with differing opinions.
- Explains that john n. oswalt, "the book of isaiah, chapters 1-39 -: eerdmans", last modified 2017, accessed september 21, 2017.
- Analyzes marvin a. sweeney's "isaiah 1-39 -: eerdmans".
- Analyzes how the israelites and sweeney cite the displeasure of god in isaiah 24-7.
552 wordsRead More - Abram Wife Research Paperanalytical essayAlthough Abram wife did not have any children, God promised Abram that God would make Abram a nation great, God said, “leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you; and I
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how treah deceived egyptians by saying sarai was his wife. god promised abram god would make him a great nation.
- Analyzes how abram forgot about god's promise to make him a great nation when he arrived in egypt. abraham lied to pharaoh by saying sarai was his sister.
- Concludes that god inflicted serious disease on pharaoh and his household to protect his promise to abram and "toledoth."
- Explains that jacob wrestled at the jabbok river with god or gods messenger for a blessing. he frauded esau his oldest brother twice for his birthrights and blessing from their father isaac.
- Analyzes how jacob the trickster was always trying to swindle his way into a blessing.
- Explains that esau was isaac's favorite son and jacob was rebekah’s because she was the one who told jacob to deceive his father and steal his blessing.
680 wordsRead More - Covenants Of The Old Testamentexplanatory essayThe bible is obviously broken up into two covenants, The Old Testament and New Testament. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit wasn’t poured out among the people like it is today. This was a covenant that God made with his people for their salvation or also known as the Covenant of Law. In the New Testament we believe Christ’s death is our salvation. When you read the Old Testament, their culture is so different from ours. It was Law to follow the word of God where today you have a choice and through the son of God you may enter heaven. Many people read the bible and they forget that the Historical Culture isn’t always straight forward like they would like. For example in John 6:1-14 Jesus is sitting among a group of people and begins to tell
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the bible is broken up into two covenants, the old testament and the new testament.
179 wordsRead More - Theme Of Patience In Genesisanalytical essayWhen God promises Abraham a reward, he responds by asking “how [he is] to know that [he] shall possess it?” (15:8) In addition, Abraham is told that his offspring “will be afflicted for four hundred years,” but that “afterward they shall come out with great possessions” (15:13-14). For the covenant to be fulfilled, Abraham must trust God and be patient. The same idea is present in Isaac’s story, when he “[pleads] with the Lord for his wife, because she [is] barren,” but waits 20 years for God to respond to his plea
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the subtle but recurring theme of patience in the book of genesis, which appears in many stories, including those of adam, abraham, and even god himself.
- Argues that the theme of patience begins with god and the creation. god is not in a rush, because creation is imminent and part of his will
- Analyzes how god's patience is demonstrated in the story of eden, when he tells adam and eve that they may "eat of every tree of the garden" and restraining themselves.
- Analyzes how patience is a main component in abraham's story, where it is associated with trust in god.
- Opines that genesis' idea of patience is inspiring, but fatalistic. it leaves all of life's outcomes to god and fails to recognize both unchangeable and changeable realities.
540 wordsRead More