Covenant Establishment
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The concept of covenant establishment is central to the narrative of the Bible, serving as a foundational theme that underscores God's relationship with humanity. A covenant, in biblical terms, is a solemn agreement or promise between God and His people, often accompanied by specific commitments and obligations. The establishment of covenants in the Bible marks significant moments in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

The Noahic Covenant

The first explicit covenant mentioned in the Bible is the covenant God made with Noah following the flood. In Genesis 9:9-11 , God declares, "Behold, I now establish My covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth—every living thing that came out of the ark. I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." This covenant is universal, encompassing all of creation, and is signified by the rainbow as a reminder of God's promise.

The Abrahamic Covenant

The covenant with Abraham marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, as it establishes the foundation for the nation of Israel and God's plan for salvation. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God calls Abram and promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great. This covenant is further elaborated in Genesis 15 and 17, where God promises Abraham numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. The sign of this covenant is circumcision, as stated in Genesis 17:10-11 : "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you."

The Mosaic Covenant

The Mosaic Covenant, established at Mount Sinai, is a central element of the Old Testament. It is a conditional covenant between God and the Israelites, given through Moses. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God states, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This covenant includes the giving of the Law, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, and outlines the terms by which Israel is to live as God's chosen people.

The Davidic Covenant

The covenant with David, found in 2 Samuel 7, promises the establishment of David's dynasty and the coming of a future king whose reign will be eternal. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13 , God promises David, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." This covenant is significant in the messianic expectation, pointing to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the promise of an everlasting kingdom.

The New Covenant

The New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and established through Jesus Christ, represents the culmination of God's covenantal promises. In Luke 22:20 , during the Last Supper, Jesus declares, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you." The New Covenant is characterized by the internalization of God's law, the forgiveness of sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a covenant of grace, open to all who believe in Jesus Christ, transcending the limitations of the previous covenants and fulfilling God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Throughout the Bible, the establishment of covenants reveals God's unchanging faithfulness and His desire for a relationship with His people. Each covenant builds upon the previous ones, progressively unveiling the depth of God's commitment to His creation and His ultimate plan for salvation through Jesus Christ.
Subtopics

Covenant

Covenant in Moab

Covenant of Circumcision

Covenant of God With Men: Binding

Covenant of God With Men: Broken by the Jews

Covenant of God With Men: Confirmed With an Oath

Covenant of God With Men: Everlasting

Covenant of God With Men: God Faithful To

Covenant of God With Men: Punishments for Breaking of

Covenant of God With Men: Repudiated by God on Account of Jews' Idolatry

Covenant of Man With God: Absalom

Covenant of Man With God: Asa

Covenant of Man With God: Israelites

Covenant of Man With God: Jacob

Covenant of Man With God: Jehoiada and Joash

Covenant of Man With God: Joshua

Covenant of Man With God: Josiah

Covenant of Man With God: Nehemiah

Covenant of Men With Men by a Monument

Covenant of Men With Men by Giving Presents

Covenant of Men With Men by Giving the Hand

Covenant of Men With Men by Making a Feast

Covenant of Men With Men by offering a Sacrifice

Covenant of Men With Men by Salting

Covenant of Men With Men: Breach of, Punished

Covenant of Men With Men: Loosing the Shoe

Covenant of Men With Men: Written and Sealed

Covenant of Salt

Covenant of the Levites

Covenant of the Sabbath

Covenant of the Ten Commandments

Covenant with Adam

Covenant with David

Covenant with David and his House

Covenant with his People

Covenant with Isaac

Covenant with Israel, at Horeb

Covenant with Phinehas

Covenant with the Israelites to Deliver Them from Egypt

Covenant: Abimelech and Isaac

Covenant: Abraham

Covenant: Abraham and Abimelech

Covenant: Ahab With Benhadad

Covenant: Binding

Covenant: Binding, not Only on Those Who Make Them, But on Those Who are Represented

Covenant: Blood of

Covenant: Book of

Covenant: Jacob

Covenant: Jacob and Laban

Covenant: Jews With Each Other, to Serve God

Covenant: Jonathan and David

Covenant: King Zedekiah and his Subjects

Covenant: Noah

Covenant: Sacred

Covenant: Subjects With Sovereign

Covenant: The Mosaic Law Called a Covenant

Covenant: The Second Covenant

Covenant: To be Confirmed

The Covenant is a Covenant of Peace

The Covenant is Everlasting

The Covenant is Unalterable

The Covenant: All Saints Interested In

The Covenant: Be Mindful of

The Covenant: Blessings Connected With

The Covenant: Caution Against Forgetting

The Covenant: Christ, the Mediator of

The Covenant: Christ, the Messenger of

The Covenant: Christ, the Substance of

The Covenant: Confirmed in Christ

The Covenant: Fulfilled in Christ

The Covenant: God is Ever Mindful of

The Covenant: God is Faithful To

The Covenant: Made With: Abraham

The Covenant: Made With: David

The Covenant: Made With: Isaac

The Covenant: Made With: Israel

The Covenant: Made With: Jacob

The Covenant: Plead, in Prayer

The Covenant: Punishment for Despising

The Covenant: Ratified by the Blood of Christ

The Covenant: Renewed Under the Gospel

The Covenant: The Wicked Have No Interest In

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Covenant Disobedience
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