The New Covenant

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Old Testament Presentation)

The Abrahamic covenant guarantees promises for Abraham’s offspring to become a great nation, live in the promised land, and bring about blessing for all families of the earth (see Gen 12:1–3; 15:1–21).

The Mosaic covenant mediated the fulfillment of those blessings in terms of Israel’s obedience and disobedience.

The Davidic covenant stipulated that the line of David would provide a king to accomplish Israel’s purpose to bless the world

What is the new Covenant?

The Old Testament tells us what to expect in the New Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31–34 ESV

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

In the New Testament it is discussed

Jesus when

Luke 22:19–20 ESV

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

1 Corinthians 11:25 ESV

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Hebrews 9:15 ESV

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

We talked about covenant being relational and that they can cross generations. This new covenant does that and beyond.

• “eternal covenant”

Jeremiah 32:40 ESV

I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.

It is

Ezekiel 37:26 ESV

I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore.

• “My [God’s] covenant” (e.g., Isa 49:8; 59:21; Hos 2:18–23; Ezek 16:6–3).