Covenant Promise and Response Structure

Overview

• Types of Covenants: Abrahamic, Mosaic/Sinaetic, Davidic
• Structure: Promise-Response framework
• Focus on the relational aspect of covenant

Covenant as Relational Formulation

• God’s goal: "I will be your God, and you will be my people."
• The covenant aims to restore the original intent post-fall
• God's people are to dwell in His place, with full access to His presence, bearing His image

Key Biblical Passages

Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17)

• God’s promise: Everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants
• Emphasis on descendants as God’s people
• Genesis lacks explicit mention of "you will be my people"

Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 6, Leviticus 26)

• God will take the Israelites as His own people
• Emphasizes the relationship before they are shaped into His image
• "I will walk among you" symbolizing God’s presence

Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)

• Familial language: "I will be his father, and he will be my son"
• Jesus is the fulfillment of this covenant

Deuteronomy 26 & 29

• Reiteration of covenant principles upon entering the Promised Land
• Emphasizes obedience and the shaping into God's image

Prophets and the Covenant

Jeremiah

• Chapters 7, 11, 24, 31 depict warnings and hope
• Introduction of the "New Covenant" not like the old since it will be internalized

Ezekiel 36

• Promise of a new heart and spirit, internal change to follow God's statutes

Revelation 21

• Culmination of God’s covenant: Restoring original intent to final intent

Concept of Hesed

Definition and Application

• Hesed: Loyalty, mercy, love, kindness
• Contradictory themes of protective power and forgiveness

Influence on New Testament

• N.T. Wright’s interpretation of "God’s righteousness" as covenantal loyalty

God's Covenantal Loyalty

• Loyal to His people, covenant, and purpose
• Ultimately loyal to Himself and His nature

Conclusion

• God’s covenantal loyalty involves justice and mercy
• He is not on any specific side but His own purpose of redemption