Topical Encyclopedia The concept of a "Covenant Reminder" in the Bible refers to the various ways God reaffirms His promises and agreements with His people throughout Scripture. These reminders serve to reinforce the relationship between God and His followers, emphasizing His faithfulness and the responsibilities of His people.Old Testament Instances 1. The Rainbow: The first significant covenant reminder is the rainbow, given to Noah after the flood. God establishes the rainbow as a sign of His promise never to destroy the earth with a flood again. Genesis 9:13-15 states, "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind." 2. Circumcision: For Abraham and his descendants, circumcision serves as a physical reminder of God's covenant. Genesis 17:11 says, "You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you." This act signifies the Israelites' commitment to God and His promises to make them a great nation. 3. The Sabbath: The Sabbath is another covenant reminder, particularly for the Israelites. It serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, reminding them of their deliverance from Egypt and their special relationship with God. Exodus 31:16-17 states, "The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed." 4. The Passover: Instituted during the Exodus, the Passover is a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Exodus 12:14 commands, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come." New Testament Fulfillment 1. The Lord's Supper: In the New Testament, Jesus establishes the Lord's Supper as a new covenant reminder. During the Last Supper, Jesus breaks bread and shares wine with His disciples, symbolizing His body and blood given for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 22:19-20 records, "And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'" 2. Baptism: Baptism serves as a covenant reminder of the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It symbolizes the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Romans 6:3-4 explains, "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." Theological Significance Covenant reminders throughout the Bible underscore God's unwavering faithfulness and the importance of human response to His grace. They serve as tangible signs of God's promises and call His people to remember their identity and responsibilities as His chosen ones. These reminders are not merely ritualistic but are deeply embedded in the spiritual life and identity of believers, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. 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) |