Understanding the Covenant Structure

Oct 16, 2024

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