What makes God awesome – Part 4

“Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us,” (Hebrews 6:16-18 NLT).

God’s covenants communicate to us something about the awesomeness of God. They communicate aspects of his power and his unmatched attributes. Through covenants, God condescends to the level of man and binds himself to man. In the place of covenants, God sheds his mystery and opens the window for man to look and see how powerful his love, mercy and grace are.

The Bible speaks of seven different covenants, some list six, four of which (Abrahamic, Palestinian, Mosaic, Davidic) God made with the nation of Israel. Of those four, three are unconditional; that is, regardless of Israel’s obedience or disobedience, God still will fulfil these covenants with Israel. One of the covenants, the Mosaic Covenant, is conditional. That is, this covenant will bring either a blessing or a curse depending on Israel’s obedience or disobedience. Three of the covenants (Adamic, Noahic, and the New Covenant) are made between God and mankind in general and are not limited to the nation of Israel.

Below we find a summary of the different covenants of God.

The Adamic covenant is a promise made by God to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before the fall of man.

In the Noahic covenant, God promised Noah, his family, and all future generations that he will never again destroy the world by flood. God also promised to uphold creation and renew both humanity and creation itself.

In the Abrahamic covenant, God promised great blessings to Abraham and his family, including making them a great nation and bestowing the Promised Land upon them (Genesis 15:13; 17:1-7; 22:16-18; 26:2-5; 28:14-15). In the Mosaic covenant, God gave the Israelites a set of conditions, including the 10 Commandments, social judgments, and religious ordinances to be blessed by God. This covenant is often called the “Old Covenant.”

In the Davidic covenant, God promised that a descendant of David will rule over the people of God and that this king will secure God’s promises of land, descendants, and blessing. In the New Covenant, God promised to establish a new covenant through the Prophet Jeremiah fulfilled in Jesus.

Covenants teach us the following facts about God and our relationship with him.

Firstly, God’s covenants are binding on generations if they walk and live in obedience. (Exodus 2:24; Psalm 105:7-12).

Secondly, God remembers his covenants in times of emergencies and crises (Exodus 2: 23-25; Psalm 105:42-45).

Thirdly, God honours his covenants. He watches over his covenants to keep them (Psalms 89:28, 34-37; Ex.20:6; Dt.5:10; Neh.1:4; Dan.9:4).

Fourly, God responds when he is reminded of his covenants (Neh.1:5-11; Dan.9:4, 19; 2 Chro.20:4-12).

Five, God confirms his covenants to future generations (Genesis 28:13-14; 1 Kings 11:12-13; Isaiah 37:35).

Sixth, there are covenants rights and blessings (Lev.26:9-13; Deut.7:6-26; 8:18).

Seventh, there are covenant obligations (Deut.7:9; Psalm 103:17-18).

Eighth, we activate our covenant rights and blessings through prayer, faith and obedience.

Ninth, Covenant rights can be evoked during crises and difficulties (2 Chronicles 20:5-12).

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