Covenant
A covenant is c contract or agreement between two prates to complete a task in the old testament the Hebrew word Beriyth is translated covenant ,Beriyth is derived from the rood which means ‘to cut’ and hence a covenant is a cutting with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts.
There are two types of covenants: conditional and unconditional. A conditional or bilateral covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment. Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party.
There are 4 unconditional covenants in the bible that god established and will be fulfilled regardless of mans ability
1) the Abrahamic
2) the Palestinian/ Canaan
3) The Davidic
4) The new covenant
Within these convents are conditional blessing and curses but the ultimate fulfillment is promised by God himself.We will examine each of them individually over the days.
1-The Abrahamic Covenant
The abrahamic covenant was between God and man called Abraham. God made his declaration to Abraham in Genesis 12.1-3,6-7
There are three main features to the Abrahamic Covenant:
1. The promise of land (Genesis 12:1). God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would give him (Genesis 12:1). This promise is reiterated in Genesis 13:14–18 where it is confirmed by a shoe covenant; its dimensions are given in Genesis 15:18–21 (precluding any notion of this being fulfilled in heaven). The land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant is also expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1–10, which is the Palestinian Covenant.
2. The promise of descendants (Genesis 12:2). God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Abraham, who was 75 years old and childless (Genesis 12:4), was promised many descendants. This promise is amplified in Genesis 17:6 where God promised that nations and kings would descend from the aged patriarch. This promise (which is expanded in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12–16) would eventuate in the Davidic throne with Messiah’s kingdom rule over the Hebrew people.
3. The promise of blessing and redemption (Genesis 12:3). God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him. This promise is amplified in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; cf. Hebrews 8:6–13) and has to do with “Israel’s spiritual blessing and redemption.” Jeremiah 31:34 anticipates the forgiveness of sin. The unconditional and eternal nature of the covenant is seen in that the covenant is reaffirmed to Isaac (Genesis 21:12; 26:3–4). The “I will” promises suggest the unconditional aspect of the covenant. The covenant is further confirmed to Jacob (Genesis 28:14–15). It is noteworthy that God reaffirmed these promises amid the sins of the patriarchs, which fact further emphasizes the unconditional nature of the Abrahamic Covenant.
Provisions of the Abrahamic covenant
1-Abraham would be a great nation
2-Abraham name would be great
3-Blessing to those who bless Abrahams descendents
4-Curses to those who curse Abraham’s descendents
5-Land of moriah promised to abrahm’s descendents
6-All families of earth blessed in abrahm
7-Abraham father of many nations
8-Everlasting covenant with Isaac , and his descendents
9-Covenant descendents will posses the gates of their enemies
These provision of the covenant would be the foundation of God’s future relationship with man. After the fall of man god foretold the coming of the ‘seed’ of the woman one who would crush the serpents head, This person would come thru the line of Abraham.Thru Abraham’s family line God would redeem mankind from the fall
Thru the covenant God established with Abraham would all the nations of the earth be blessed.The covenant come to Abraham because he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans4 ) Abraham would be a father of all those who would trust God by faith . The covenant was an everlasting covenant meaning its fulfillment was unconditional.
The covenant contained physical provisions involving both a land and a people.The land of promise Moriah , was given by God to Abraham and his descendents thru Jacob.The physical land and Abrahams descendents would play a vital role in the completion of the covenant. Today the land of the promise is one of the most contentious issues that trouble the earth.Over half of the earth population has some sort of spiritual connection to the promise land of Abrahm
