One of the more difficult concepts to try and understand is ‘covenant’. What the western world doesn’t fully appreciate is the far reaching implications that a covenant covers. A covenant is not like a contract – it’s meant to be kept. In contrast, most contracts include an escape clause and death typically ends the contractual relationship. Not so with a covenant – it is not easily discharged but remains in effect from generation to generation – it is inclusive not exclusive. This is why it isn’t often entered into – because of the seriousness and the binding power.
Covenants were often entered into for protection and for unification. Covenants weren’t always between equally standing parties, and were often initiated by the stronger rather than weaker of the two. Examples: God’s covenants with man. He was the one that typically initiated them and always to the preservation, protection, and profit of man. And when God made a covenant – He kept it, which wasn’t typically the case with man.
When you seek a definition of ‘covenant’ you’ll discover that Webster has difficulties explaining the word. Webster does use some synonyms to try and explain such as: accord, alliance, compact, treaty, pact – but that only scratches the surface. You have to turn to scripture to understand the full scope of the word. And it is the covenants that God made with man that are the most crucial. Isaiah (45:23, 55:11) gives us the strongest declaration about God and His word, which applies to His approach about covenants.
If you apply the thinking that is stated in those two versus, you begin to understand the seriousness God has toward covenants but you can also begin to see what He has done for man by covenanting Himself to man. History shows that man breaks covenants with God. Man also breaks contracts with man. Fortunately God never breaks covenants and seeks to restore them when man does. The first covenant God entered into was when Adam and Eve broke His word in Genesis. God is still fulfilling His last covenant created in Jesus – it’s there for all to enter into.
