TL;DR - Quick Summary
- A covenant is a solemn, binding agreement between God and humanity
- God initiates all biblical covenants out of His love and grace
- Major covenants: Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant
- Each covenant reveals more of God's redemptive plan
- The New Covenant in Christ's blood fulfills and supersedes all others
- Understanding covenants unlocks the unity of Scripture
1. What is a Biblical Covenant?
A covenant is far more than a simple contract or agreement. In the ancient world, covenants were the most solemn and binding relationships possible—often sealed with blood and carrying life-or-death consequences.
Key Characteristics of Covenants:
- Initiated by God: God always makes the first move
- Based on Grace: Not earned but freely given
- Contains Promises: God binds Himself to His word
- Requires Response: Faith and obedience from recipients
- Blood-Sealed: Ratified through sacrifice
- Eternal Impact: Effects last beyond one generation
2. The Noahic Covenant - Universal Preservation
God's Covenant with Noah
Genesis 9:8-17Context: After the flood destroyed the earth due to human wickedness
God's Promise: Never again destroy all life with a flood
Sign: The rainbow
Scope: Universal—applies to all creation
Conditions: Unconditional from God's side
Significance: Demonstrates God's mercy and commitment to preserve creation despite human sin
3. The Abrahamic Covenant - Foundation of Faith
God's Covenant with Abraham
Genesis 12, 15, 17God's Three-Fold Promise:
1. Land
"I will give you the land of Canaan"
2. Descendants
"I will make you into a great nation"
3. Blessing to All Nations
"All peoples on earth will be blessed through you"
Sign: Circumcision
Response Required: Faith ("Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness")
Fulfillment: Ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Abraham's descendant who blesses all nations
4. The Mosaic Covenant - Law and Nation
God's Covenant with Israel at Sinai
Exodus 19-24Context: Israel freed from Egypt, gathered at Mount Sinai
Purpose: To make Israel God's treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation
Content: The Law—moral (Ten Commandments), civil, and ceremonial regulations
Sign: The Sabbath
Nature: Conditional—blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience
Blood Seal: Sprinkled on the altar and people (Exodus 24:6-8)
Problem: No one could keep it perfectly; it revealed humanity's need for a Savior
Why Did God Give a Law No One Could Keep?
The Law was never meant to save but to reveal sin and point to our need for grace. As Paul writes: "The law was our guardian until Christ came" (Galatians 3:24). It showed us we need a perfect Savior.
5. The Davidic Covenant - Eternal Kingdom
God's Covenant with David
2 Samuel 7:8-16Context: David wants to build a temple for God
God's Promise: "I will build a house (dynasty) for you"
Key Guarantees:
- David's descendant will build the temple
- David's throne will be established forever
- God will be a father to David's son
- The kingdom will never end
Nature: Unconditional and eternal
Fulfillment: Jesus Christ, "Son of David," the eternal King
"Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever."
2 Samuel 7:166. The New Covenant - Grace and Transformation
The New Covenant in Christ's Blood
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8-10Promised in Jeremiah 31:
- "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts"
- "I will be their God, and they will be my people"
- "No longer will they teach their neighbor to know the LORD"
- "I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more"
Inaugurated by Jesus: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20)
What Makes It New?
Old Covenant
- Law written on stone
- External obedience
- Repeated sacrifices
- Conditional blessings
- For Israel only
New Covenant
- Law written on hearts
- Internal transformation
- One perfect sacrifice (Jesus)
- Unconditional grace
- For all who believe
Sign: The Lord's Supper (Communion)
Sealed: By the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
7. How the Covenants Work Together
Noahic
God preserves creation
Abrahamic
God chooses a people
Mosaic
God reveals His holiness
Davidic
God promises a King
New Covenant
God transforms hearts
8. Living Under the New Covenant
Complete Forgiveness
Your sins are forgiven—past, present, and future—through Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-18)
The Indwelling Spirit
God's Spirit lives in you, empowering you to obey from the heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Direct Access to God
No need for human mediators—you can approach God's throne directly (Hebrews 4:16)
Eternal Security
God will never break His covenant; your salvation is secure (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Transformed Life
The Spirit produces fruit in your life as you abide in Christ (Galatians 5:22-23)
Global Family
All believers—Jew and Gentile—are one in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22)
Remember:
- Covenants show God's faithfulness across generations
- Each covenant builds on previous ones in God's redemptive plan
- Jesus fulfills all the covenants perfectly
- The New Covenant is better because it's based on better promises
- You enter the New Covenant by faith in Jesus Christ alone