Nature of covenants

Kinds of covenant relationship

The relationship between king and people

2 Samuel 5:3 KJV 1900

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

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Terms for peace granted to a weaker party

Joshua 9:15 KJV 1900

And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

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A mutual commitment to peaceful relations

1 Kings 5:12 KJV 1900

And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

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An agreement on a common course of action

Jeremiah 34:8 KJV 1900

This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;

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The relationship between husband and wife

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God’s covenant with Israel is likened to a marriage:

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An expression of friendship

1 Samuel 18:3 KJV 1900

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

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Sealing a covenant

By sharing a meal

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The meal Jesus Christ shared with his disciples is an important part of the institution of the new covenant:

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By offering a sacrifice

The Hebrew expression for making a covenant means, literally, “to cut a covenant”. This may refer to the solemn practice, described here, of cutting an animal in half and walking between its pieces; ; ; ; Sacrifice is an important part in sealing covenants made by God.

By making an oath

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The obligations of a covenant

Covenant responsibilities must be honoured

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Covenant obligations are watched over by God

1 Samuel 20:42 KJV 1900

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

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The consequences of breaking covenant faith

Joshua 9:20 KJV 1900

This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

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Covenants with other nations are forbidden

Exodus 34:12 KJV 1900

Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

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Covenants with other nations lead to a commitment to foreign gods

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Covenants with other nations lead to a denial of faith in God

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