The term "First Covenant" typically refers to the covenant established by God with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Old Testament. This covenant is foundational to the relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel, and is often contrasted with the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Biblical Foundation

The First Covenant is primarily detailed in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It was established after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as they camped at the base of Mount Sinai. God called Moses to the mountain and delivered the terms of the covenant, which included the Ten Commandments and various laws governing religious, moral, and social life.

In Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares, "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 passage highlights the conditional nature of the covenant, requiring Israel's obedience to God's laws.

Components of the First Covenant

1. The Law: Central to the First Covenant is the Law, which includes the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and a comprehensive set of rules and regulations. These laws were intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation and guide them in their relationship with God and with one another.

2. The Tabernacle and Sacrificial System: The covenant also included instructions for building the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people (Exodus 25-31). The sacrificial system, detailed in Leviticus, provided a means for atonement and maintaining fellowship with God.

3. The Priesthood: The establishment of the Levitical priesthood was another key component. The priests, particularly the high priest, served as mediators between God and the people, performing sacrifices and rituals on their behalf (Leviticus 8-10).

4. Blessings and Curses: The covenant outlined blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). These stipulations underscored the covenant's conditional nature and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands.

Significance and Fulfillment

The First Covenant served as a tutor to lead Israel to Christ, as Paul explains in Galatians 3:24 : "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." It highlighted the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the need for a mediator.

The prophets foretold a New Covenant, which would be different from the First Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of this promise: "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... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts."

In the New Testament, the Book of Hebrews elaborates on the transition from the First Covenant to the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 8:6 states, "But now Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises."

Theological Implications

The First Covenant is integral to understanding God's redemptive plan. It reveals God's desire for a holy people and His provision for dealing with sin through the sacrificial system. However, it also points to the limitations of the law and the need for a perfect and eternal mediator, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The First Covenant, therefore, sets the stage for the New Covenant, where the law is written on believers' hearts, and the ultimate sacrifice for sin is made through Christ's death and resurrection.