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Biblical Examples of Renewed Covenant Commitment

Covenant commitment in the Bible refers to a solemn agreement, often established with an oath and accompanied by a sign, between two parties, most notably between God and humanity [6, 8, 18]. The Hebrew term berith (בְּרִית) primarily means "a cutting," referencing the ancient custom of cutting animals in two and passing between the parts to ratify a covenant, as seen in Genesis 15 and Jeremiah 34:18-19 [2, 6]. The Greek equivalent in the New Testament is diatheke (διαθήκη), frequently translated as "testament" [2, 6]. While God's covenants are often presented as immutable promises [9], human parties frequently demonstrate a need for renewed commitment, particularly after periods of disobedience or spiritual decline.

One of the earliest examples of a covenant is God's promise to Noah after the flood, that a similar judgment would not be repeated [2]. This covenant, like many others, was confirmed by a sign—the rainbow [18]. God also made covenants with Abraham, promising to multiply his descendants and establish a lasting relationship [10, 7]. This covenant was renewed with Isaac and Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises through generations [4, 7]. Abraham's obedience, particularly in the offering of Isaac, led to a powerful reaffirmation of God's covenant with him, with "extraordinary expressions of God's favor" [17].

A pivotal moment of covenant establishment occurred at Sinai, where God gave Israel a divine constitution with promises conditioned on their obedience [11]. This covenant, often referred to as the Mosaic Covenant, involved a covenant sacrifice and was renewed in the plains of Moab, accompanied by blessings and curses [11]. Despite its initial establishment, the history of Israel is marked by repeated failures to uphold this covenant, necessitating periods of renewal.

Several significant instances of renewed covenant commitment are recorded in the Old Testament:

These examples illustrate that covenant renewal was a recurring theme in Israel's history, often occurring at critical junctures or after periods of unfaithfulness [13, 14]. These renewals were not about God changing His mind or His covenant promises, which are described as immutable [9]. Instead, they represented the human party's re-commitment to the terms of the covenant and a re-affirmation of their relationship with God.

The concept of covenant renewal finds its ultimate expression in the "new covenant" prophesied by Jeremiah and inaugurated by Jesus Christ [7, 12]. Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of a time when God would make a new covenant, not like the one broken by Israel, but one written on their hearts [7, 16]. This new covenant would involve an inner, personal relationship with the Lord, marked by forgiveness of sins and a divine promise never to remember them again [16]. Jesus' death is understood to have inaugurated this new covenant, ratified by His blood [7, 16]. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is the "guarantee of a better covenant" [3], established on better promises [4]. This new covenant fulfills the promises made to Abraham and David, ensuring an everlasting kingdom and a perpetual line of descendants [4, 5, 7].

Sources

  1. Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H1285] berith (part 4/6) — with David Psa 89:4; 89:29; 89:34; 89:39; 132:12; Jer 33:21 (compare 2 Samuel 7 = 1 Chronicles 17); a divine promise to the seed of David of an everlasting kingdom, the relation of sonship, and the superintendence of the temple (compare Psalms 2..) g. Jehoiada and the people 2Kin 11:17 2Chr 23:3, a constitutional agreement to be the people of Yahweh. h. Hezekiah and the people2Chr 29:10, a constitutional agreement to reform the worship. i. Josiah and the people 2Kin 23:3, a constitutional agreement to obey the book of the covenant. j. Ezra and the people Ezra 10”
  2. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — The Heb. berith means primarily "a cutting," with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18,19) In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke), which is frequently translated testament in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used-- + Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between”
  3. Hebrews “Hebrews 7:22 (BSB) — Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
  5. Psalms “If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forever more.” -- Psalms 132:12”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith o”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenants — Agreements between two parties -- Ge 26:28; Da 11:6. Designed for Establishing friendship. -- 1Sa 18:3. Procuring assistance in war. -- 1Ki 15:18,19. Mutual protection. -- Ge 26:28,29; 31:50-52. Establishing peace. -- Jos 9:15,16. Promoting commerce. -- 1Ki 5:6-11. Selling land. -- Ge 23:14-16. Conditions of Clearly specified. -- 1Sa 11:1,2. Conformed by oath. -- Ge 21:23,31; 26:31. Witnessed. -- Ge 23:17,18; Ru 4:9-11. Written and sealed. -- Ne 9:38; 10:1. God often called to witness -- Ge 31:50,53. When confirmed, unalterable -- Ga 3:15. Made by passing”
  9. Hebrews “In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; -- Hebrews 6:17”
  10. Genesis “I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” -- Genesis 17:2”
  11. Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H1285] berith (part 3/6) — with Israel at Sinai = Horeb, with a covenant sacrifice Exod 19:5; 24:7-8, (E) 34:10, 27, 28 (J) 31:16; Lev 2:13 (P) 24:8; 26:9, 15, 25, 44, 45 (H) Deut 4:13; renewed in plains of Moab Deuteronomy 28:69; with blessings and curses 29:20; frequently referred to in other books 2Chr 34:32; Psa 25:10; 44:18; 50:5; 50:16; 74:20; 78:10; 78:37; 103:18; 106:45; 111:5; 111:9; Isa 56:4, 6; Jer 1:2-3, 6, 8, 10; 14:21; 22:9; 31:32; Ezek 16:8, 59, 60; 44:7; Dan 9:4; 11:28, 30, 32; Hosea 6:7; 8:1; Zech 9:11; 11:10; a divine constitution given to Israel with promises on conditi”
  12. Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 30:22: ye shall be my people, &c.--The covenant shall be renewed between God and His people through Messiah's mediation (Jer 30:21; Jer 31:1, Jer 31:33; Jer 32:38; Eze 11:20; Eze 36:28).”
  13. 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 23:3: 23:3 The king . . . renewed the covenant: Covenant renewal was observed at several critical points in the history of God’s people (see 11:12, 17; Josh 24:1-27; 1 Kgs 8:1-53).”
  14. 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 11:17: 11:17 The renewal of the covenant was especially important after years of pagan rule. Covenant faithfulness accompanied by periodic renewal was mandated in the law (Deut 31:9-13), and Israel observed it at junctures in its history (see 2 Kgs 23:1-3; Josh 24).”
  15. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 34:1: 34:1-35 God granted Moses’ request (33:18), showed Moses his goodness (34:1-9), and renewed the covenant (34:10-35). This renewal was a unilateral statement by God. God would indeed go with his people, maintaining his covenant promises even though they had broken the covenant (32:1-6) and deserved nothing better than death and abandonment. 34:1-3 God called Moses to come back up Mount Sinai with two new stone tablets. The restrictions for the rest of the people are like those made at first (see 19:12-13, 21-25).”
  16. Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 31:34: 31:34 The old covenant had to be taught (see Deut 6:4-9), but the heart of the new covenant would be an inner, personal relationship with the Lord. • I will forgive: Each repentant believer would experience God’s forgiveness. • I will never again remember: When sins are forgiven, they can never bring divine judgment (see Heb 10:17). • Jesus’ death inaugurated the new covenant (see Matt 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25; 2 Cor 3:6; Heb 8; 9:15; 12:22-24).”
  17. Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 22:15: Abraham's obedience was graciously accepted; but this was not all: here we have it recompensed, abundantly recompensed, before he stirred from the place; probably while the ram he had sacrificed was yet burning God sent him this gracious message, renewed and ratified his covenant with him. All covenants were made by sacrifice, so was this by the typical sacrifices of Isaac and the ram. Very high expressions of God's favour to Abraham are employed in this confirmation of the covenant with him, expressions exceeding any he had yet been blessed with. Note, Extraord”
  18. Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 9:12: 9:12 In the Bible, covenants are frequently confirmed by some sort of sign (e.g., 17:11; Exod 31:13, 17; Luke 22:20).”
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