A covenant is a relationship built on promises, where
blessings result for obedience and curses result from disobedience. (for instance, a marriage covenant). The word covenant comes from the Hebrew word berith, which means “to cut.”
The idea in ancient times was that people
“cut a covenant.” Animals would be cut
in two and their body parts laid opposite each other so that the blood would flow
together. Then the two parties would
walk through the blood and meet each other in the middle and make their
covenant. In the act the parties
covenanting were saying, “If I break my end of the covenant, let me become like
these animals.”
Usually a king or superior establishes a covenant with a
vassal (or lesser) person. We see God
establishing these covenants throughout the Bible [Noah (Gen 9), Abraham (Gen
15), David (1 Sam. 7), new covenant (Jer. 31)].
Though it is not mentioned directly in Genesis 1-2, the idea is
certainly present (cf Hosea 6:7).
When God created Adam, He entered into a covenant with
him. This is sometimes called “The
covenant of works” or “the covenant of life.”
Essentially, God promised to give Adam life so long as he obeyed
(works). Note how this corresponds to
the idea of the kingdom of God. The King
covenants with his subject, Adam, thus promising him life and happiness in His
kingdom.
But, when Adam ate the fruit of the tree, Adam broke his
covenant. As a result, God cursed him
with the penalty of death.
The story doesn't end there though. This is where God establishes another covenant, called the covenant of grace. However, we'll have to return to address this subject later.
5 comments:
Where do you find sources for your ancient covenant practices? Also, if God makes a covenant that He says is everlasting and that He made regardless of the obedience of the other party (but out of love), then can that covenant ever end?
QUOTE**"Animals would be cut in two and their body parts laid opposite each other so that the blood would flow together. Then the two parties would walk through the blood and meet each other in the middle and make their covenant. In the act the parties covenanting were saying, “If I break my end of the covenant, let me become like these animals.”**
...pretty much like the old MAFIA and (supposed) Masonic oaths, then, right? ;<)
Do you answer questions, Reverend? As asked previously, I was wondering what your sources are for how covenants were conducted in ancient times, as you explained. I know that many times some modern scholar finds some ancient practice in one little group and says that is how things were everywhere back then; then a pastor puts it in a sermon, and pretty soon every pastor and every scholar declares that that is how things were then, but no one has any source or proof for it other than they heard it from another speaker or writer. Certainly Christians among all people should give proof and support for their statements. So, I was wondering if you could provide me with sources from the "ancient times" that you mentioned--how we know for sure that that is how covenants were conducted back then, so that I can learn more about it and read it for myself from the sources from antiquity. Thank you.
So does the Reverend not answer questions? Wouldst thou write a blog, but then when asked about something you wrote, ignore the lower class? Please see the previous comment for my simple question, the answer which would be expected of any author.
"REFUSAL OF DIALOGUE" is a common tactic of disjointed, incoherent fundamentalism.
It seems our authoritative community leader is a wellspring of nothing..... :<(
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