Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Overview:Covenant promises in the Bible refer to the solemn commitments made by God to humanity, often involving specific blessings, conditions, and signs. These covenants are foundational to understanding the relationship between God and His people throughout the biblical narrative. They reveal God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness, and His redemptive plan for humanity. Major Biblical Covenants: 1. The Noahic Covenant: After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. The sign of this covenant is the rainbow. Genesis 9:11 states, "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." 2. The Abrahamic Covenant: God's covenant with Abraham is foundational to the biblical narrative, promising land, descendants, and blessing. Genesis 12:2-3 records God's promise: "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 curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This covenant is further elaborated in Genesis 15 and 17, where God promises the land of Canaan and the sign of circumcision. 3. The Mosaic Covenant: Given at Mount Sinai, this covenant established the Law for the Israelites, including the Ten Commandments. It was conditional, requiring obedience to God's laws in exchange for blessings. Exodus 19:5-6 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." 4. The Davidic Covenant: God's promise to David ensured that his lineage would endure forever, culminating in the Messiah. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 declares, "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." 5. The New Covenant: Prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, this covenant promises forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart. Jeremiah 31:31-33 foretells, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." This covenant is inaugurated by Jesus at the Last Supper, as recorded in Luke 22:20: "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you." Theological Significance: Covenant promises underscore God's initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity. They highlight His sovereignty, grace, and commitment to His creation. Each covenant builds upon the previous, revealing a progressive unfolding of God's redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The covenants demonstrate God's desire for a people set apart for Himself, living in obedience and faith, and they assure believers of His unwavering faithfulness and love. Subtopics 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: 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 the Ten Commandments Covenant with David and his House Covenant with Israel, at Horeb Covenant with the Israelites to Deliver Them from Egypt Covenant: Abraham and Abimelech Covenant: Binding, not Only on Those Who Make Them, But on Those Who are Represented Covenant: Jews With Each Other, to Serve God Covenant: King Zedekiah and his Subjects Covenant: Subjects With Sovereign Covenant: The Mosaic Law Called a Covenant The Covenant is a Covenant of Peace The Covenant: All Saints Interested In 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 Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |