How Many Covenants Does God Make in the Bible?
We hear the word often in Christian circles, we witness it at weddings, and we read of it throughout the Bible. But what really is a covenant? A commitment holds power, but a covenant is a binding promise. Webster’s Dictionary defines a covenant as, “a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement.” When God makes a covenant or when we make covenant with the Lord, it needs to be taken seriously.
Hebrews 13:20 says, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.”
Whether it be through circumcision or Jesus on the cross, there is somethings valuable to take note of when looking at the use of blood in a covenant. The shedding of blood seals a covenant that has been made. When I married my husband, we entered into what is known as a marriage covenant. I once heard someone describe how marriage points to Christ in the covenant because after the commitment comes the consummation, and without being too graphic, a virgin bride models this sealing of the covenant when she becomes one with her husband.
The example of marriage points ultimately to the sacrifice of Jesus in the New Covenant. He came and shared about His love for the world, and then He sealed us by His blood and gave us His Holy Spirit. We think of Old Testament rituals of shedding the blood of animals for the covering of sins. Jesus’ blood has eternally covered all of our sins and He is the one Who now welcomes us by His gift. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Although both are very important and valuable, a covenant is much weightier than a commitment. Willis Powell from Silo Tips shares, “The covenants of the Bible between man and God are completely unique to Christianity. Nowhere in the religions of the world does one find another god relating to man through covenant. In Scripture, the personal relationship between God and man is based upon and mediated through means of covenants.” The fact that the Lord of all would decide to make a covenant – a binding agreement to love and forgive humanity though the sacrifice of Jesus – is astounding. Powell continues, “The purpose of the covenants is to reveal God’s earthly agreements, spiritual promises, earthly redemption, and only hope for mankind. God wants to bind Himself to His people to keep His promises so that He can demonstrate through history His character.”
We serve a covenantal Creator, who not only is working, but invites us into His plans. He has purposed us and called us His own. He has brought us into His family. He has redeemed us from sin. He desires relationship with us and pursues our hearts each day. How could we not celebrate that we not only have a promise with Him, but a covenant with Him?
You might look at the people with whom God made covenants in the Bible, and think they are far above you. However, they were all humans who made mistakes, but they said, “Yes” to the Holy Lord. The New Covenant is not just for one person, but for the entire world. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” If you have never accepted Jesus’ covenant of grace with you, now is a great moment to enter into relationship with Him.
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Emma enjoys singing/songwriting, fitness classes, trying new recipes, home makeover shows, and drinking tea! During her ministry career, Emma recorded two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, ran the Refined Magazine, and served in music education for early childhood. Emma also had the privilege of having been a national spokesperson for Mukti Mission based out of India. Mukti has been working to restore shattered lives in India for over 120 years. You can view her articles through her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com
