Old testament covenants essay

.docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

106

Subject

Religion

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

7

Uploaded by MagistrateElkPerson981

Old Testament Covenants Kelcie A Wing Grand Canyon University BIB-106-TR900A : Old Testament Survey Mr. Brett Berger 11/13/22 1
What is a covenant? A covenant is a strong agreement between two parties. It makes two into one. However, biblical covenants are a bit different. A biblical covenant is not exactly like a contract. A covenant is more like a relationship, but it is like a relationship that has been formalized, has rules and commands, and also, has blessings that come from this. The Latin origin for the word covenant is (con venire) which means a coming together. We see this in the biblical covenants when we see God coming together with his people and creating commands and promises while doing so. So to conclude what a biblical covenant is, it is a strong agreement that God makes with a man that is in a way a formalized relationship that has commands from God however, he gives blessings from this as well which makes biblical covenants such a beautiful thing. The Noahic Covenant The most important things that need to be communicated about the Noahic Covenant are that God is making the covenant with Noah and everyone after the flood. Also, this covenant is made with Noah after the flood where he now renews the command to be fruitful and multiply and states that there will be a punishment for those who take human life. We see this when we read in Genesis 6:17-19 (NLT) “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat--- you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal…” This shows us the start of the covenant story redemption and how God is using this covenant to show his sovereignty. In the article The Importance of the Noahic Covenant to Biblical Theology by Aaron Chalmers, we see how the Noahic Covenant establishes the foundation for the covenant story of redemption. It states, “The Noahic covenant, including the various divine promises which accompany it, guarantees God’s commitment to the 2
creation, and in particular, the preservation of life on the earth. It thus provides the necessary foundation for the story of redemption, life on earth is guaranteed to continue despite human sin.” This brings me to the point of the promise associated with the covenant which is a rainbow. God uses a rainbow to promise to never flood the earth like that again and to show the redemption that there is. The Abrahamic Covenant In the Abrahamic covenant, God is making a covenant with Abraham and all his people. God tells Abraham to leave his native country, relatives, and others. God also tells Abraham to bring him a bunch of animals he does this in Genesis 15:9 (NLT). God also uses the sign of circumcision in the Abrahamic covenant. Some of the promises that God makes in the Abrahamic covenant are to promise Abraham that he will have many descendants and that they will be a great nation if he would just obeys God. God also says he will punish the nation that enslaved his people for 400 years. Genesis 17:9-13 (NLT) says, “Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised… All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.” This tells us that a part of the covenant with Abraham was something that would be going on forever as a sign. Also in the article, The Abrahamic Covenant by Keith H. Essex we see, “As in Gen 12:4, this passage portrays Abraham as obedient to the LORD'S commands. "God Almighty" commands Abraham to "walk before" Him (17:1) and Abraham "falls on his face" (17:4), a gesture of the loyal submission commanded by God. Based on Abraham's obedience, the LORD affirms that "My covenant is with" Abraham.” This lets us 3
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help