Covenant Lesson 1

Greek and Hebrew Meanings Hebrew: Beriyth: a pledge or an agreement; a compact that is made by passing between pieces of flesh, a confederacy or a league. (Strongs) Karath: to make an alliance, bargain Greek: Diatheke: a disposition, a contract, a testament, or a covenant. (Strongs)

GOD and Noah First mention of Covenant Gen. 6:18 Between: God, Noah and his descendants God initiated with Noah and all living creatures Noah was blameless; walked with God Covenant promise: never to bring a flood to destroy the earth again Sign: Genesis 9:12 First mention. Rainbow

GOD and Abram Genesis 15 Initiated by God With Abram Promise: descendants, land Abram brought: One 3 year old heifer One 3 year old female goat One 3 year old ram A dove and pigeons

GOD and Abram Bloodshed: Abram cut the animals in half, but not the birds. He laid each half opposite the other A smoking oven and a flaming torch passed between the pieces of flesh – Covenant was cut

Genesis 17 Made: Karath – to cut off, cut down Abram was 99, Sarai was 90 (vs.17) God changed their names God promised descendants and Land of Canaan Circumcision was the sign God initiated it ALL

Genesis 28:10-22 Same promises are made to Jacob, Isaac’s son Jacob’s descendants would be as numerous as the dust All families of the earth would be blessed Land and descendants Jacob made a vow: an oath, a solemn binding agreement He set up a pillar as a reminder

Men’s Covenants Gen. 21:22-34 Abraham and Abimelech Promised they would not deal falsely with one another, but with kindness Genesis 26: Abimelech initiated a covenant with Isaac for the same reason as with Abraham: fear Had a feast and exchanged oaths

Men’s Covenants Genesis 31:43-55 Laban initiated a covenant with Jacob. Same basis: fear Set up a pillar as a reminder and witness Named it: Galeed and Mizpah = watchtower Ate a meal

GOD and Israel Exodus 24:1-11 God initiated with people of Israel God kept His Covenant and delivered them after 400 years of captivity The descendants of Abraham were estimated at over 2 million at the time of the Exodus Moses received the Word from the Lord and built an altar

GOD and Israel Moses took half the blood and sprinkled it on the altar, the other half on the people The people took an oath: “All that the Lord has said, we will do.” Nobles of Israel went up on the mountain, saw God, ate and drank and did not die. Same as Abraham: Blood, oath, meal

Elements of Covenant Sacrifice, feast or eating and drinking God initiates Man initiates Covenant with Israel was conditional: They agreed to be obedient to the Lord

Jesus and Believers New Covenant: between Jesus and believers Matt. 26:20-29 Jesus initiated Bread signified His body, the cup His blood Luke 22:17-20 New Covenant in His blood Isaiah 42:5-9 God appointed His servant Jesus as a Covenant to the people Malachi 3:1-2 Jesus is the Messenger of the New Covenant

Covenants God with Men Noah and every living thing Abraham Isaac Jacob Israel Old Covenant (Law) Jesus with believers New Covenant Men with Men Abimelech and Abraham Abimelech and Isaac Laban and Jacob