Covenants

Covenants
You've seen it in the movies or maybe on the news--leaders of two warring countries decide to end the fighting and sign a peace treaty. The representative of the losing side agrees to terms of surrender, perhaps giving up contested land or paying back some money as a war debt. The winning country's spokesman agrees that his military forces will pull out, so long as the losing side keeps up its end of the agreement. Should they ever break their word and resume the hostilities, the conquering armies will come back in full force.

What we call a peace treaty was called a covenant in Old Testament times. It was used in situations where one kingdom defeated another in battle, or when a weaker empire wanted to avoid going to war with a more powerful one. In short, a covenant is an agreement between two parties that binds them to do certain things for each other. For example, the stronger party agrees not to destroy the weaker one; in return, the weaker one agrees to pay taxes or tribute. Also, the covenant agreement included sections explaining what would happen if the rules were kept and if they were broken. These sections were called 'blessings' and 'curses.' (See Deut 11:26-32.)

God's covenant with Israel started with Abram. God promised to give Abram many descendants and a wonderful land for their home. After establishing this covenant, God promised to take the curse on himself if he should ever break his part of the agreement.

You might be thinking, That's a fascinating bit of historical trivia--but what does it have to do with me? Just this: in Romans, Paul tells us that Christians will inherit the blessings promised to Abram (Abraham). Romans 11:17 says, 'But some of these branches from Abraham's tree--some of the people of Israel--have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, were grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment of God's special olive tree.' So, if you're a Christian, this promise is for you!

No, that doesn't mean you can pick up and head to the Holy Land to stake out some prime real estate. Our Promised Land is in another place--a new heaven and a new earth. But as you read about God's covenant with Abram and with the nation of Israel, know with absolute certainty that God will keep his promises to you--all of them--just as he did with Israel. Your part is to enter into an agreement with him about your sin and his forgiveness through Jesus, the author of the new covenant.