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Understanding God's Covenant and Our Obligations Biblically

A covenant in biblical terms signifies a formal agreement or contract between two parties [4]. The Hebrew word for covenant, berith, derives from a root meaning "to cut," referencing an ancient practice where parties would cut animals in two and pass between the halves to ratify the agreement (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18-19) [3, 4]. The New Testament Greek equivalent is diatheke, often translated as "testament" [3, 4].

Biblical covenants are foundational to understanding God's relationship with humanity. God initiated covenants with various individuals and groups throughout salvation history. Examples include covenants with Noah (Genesis 9), Abraham (Genesis 15:7-18; 17:2-14), Isaac (Genesis 17:19, 21; 26:3-4), Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14), and David (2 Samuel 23:5; Psalm 89:3-4) [2]. God also made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 6:4) [2]. These covenants often involved divine promises and expectations for human obedience. For instance, the covenant with Abraham included promises of land and descendants, with Abraham's faith being a key component [2, 8].

The covenant made at Sinai, often referred to as the Old Covenant, established a legal framework for Israel's relationship with God, including the Ten Commandments [7]. This covenant, however, did not fully address human weakness [7]. The prophet Jeremiah foretold a "new covenant" that God would make with the house of Israel and Judah, which would involve God writing His law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33) [2]. This new covenant was realized through Jesus Christ, who is considered its substance, mediator, and messenger [2]. The New Testament book of Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of this new covenant, stating that the first covenant was "not faultless" and did not solve human weaknesses [7]. The new covenant is confirmed in Christ and ratified by His blood (Galatians 3:17; Hebrews 9:11-14, 16-23) [2].

Our obligations under God's covenant are rooted in the nature of the covenant itself. While God's covenants are initiated by His grace and promises, they typically involve a reciprocal expectation of faithfulness and obedience from humanity. For example, the covenant with Israel at Sinai required adherence to God's commandments [9]. The prophet Jeremiah condemned Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, likening it to adultery, a common biblical metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and His people (Ezekiel 23:4) [10]. The Old Testament consistently links blessings to obedience and curses to disobedience (e.g., Deuteronomy 28).

The New Covenant, established through Christ, also entails obligations. While salvation is a gift of God's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), believers are called to live in accordance with God's will. Christian liberty, for instance, is freedom from the law's curse and the bondage of sin, but it is also described as the "service of Christ" (Romans 7:6; Galatians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 7:22) [5]. The ultimate duty of humanity, as summarized in Ecclesiastes, is to "Fear God, and keep his commandments" (Ecclesiastes 12:13) [6]. This obligation is not a means to earn salvation but a response to God's saving work, demonstrating love and faithfulness within the covenant relationship. God's promises are made to those who love Him (James 1:12; 2:5) [1].

The concept of covenant highlights God's faithfulness and His initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity [1]. God remembers His covenants (Psalm 105:42; Luke 1:54-55) and is faithful to His promises (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 10:23) [1]. The renewal of the covenant under the gospel signifies God's ongoing commitment to His people, providing a path to salvation through Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Romans 11:27; Hebrews 8:8-10, 13) [2].

Sources

  1. 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. -- ”
  2. 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; ”
  3. 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”
  4. 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”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberty, Christian — Foretold -- Isa 42:7; 61:1. Conferred By God. -- Col 1:13. By Christ. -- Ga 4:3-5; 5:1. By the Holy Spirit. -- Ro 8:15; 2Co 3:17. Through the gospel. -- Joh 8:32. Confirmed by Christ -- Joh 8:36. Proclaimed by Christ -- Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18. The service of Christ is -- 1Co 7:22. Is freedom from The law. -- Ro 7:6; 8:2. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The fear of death. -- Heb 2:15. Sin. -- Ro 6:7,18. Corruption. -- Ro 8:21. Bondage of man. -- 1Co 9:19. Jewish ordinances. -- Ga 4:3; Col 2:20. Called the glorious liberty of the children of God -- Ro”
  6. King James Version “[KJV] Ecclesiastes 12:13 — Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
  7. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:7: 8:7-13 The author quotes Jer 31:31-34, an Old Testament prophecy concerning the new covenant that includes a number of striking promises. Establishing the superiority of the new covenant lays a foundation for the argument in Heb 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was superior to the offerings of the old covenant. 8:7 The first covenant, made at Sinai, was not faultless. It was not the end of God’s plan, because it didn’t solve human weaknesses (see 7:11-28; 8:9).”
  8. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
  9. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 20:11: 20:11 To be in covenant with God is to do what God does; since he rested from his work (Gen 2:1-3), how can we think that we need no rest?”
  10. Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
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