Covenants are promises that God makes with His people. The Bible is full of examples of God’s faithfulness in keeping His covenants. Today, we’ll explore how Scripture teaches us about these sacred promises and what they reveal about God’s love and faithfulness.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Covenant Of Works
What Does The Bible Say About Covenants
Genesis 9:11
“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
This verse highlights God’s covenant with Noah after the great flood. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His promise to never destroy the earth with a flood again.
Genesis 17:7
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
In this verse, God promises Abraham an everlasting covenant, emphasizing His commitment to be the God of Abraham’s descendants for generations to come.
Exodus 19:5
“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,”
This verse highlights the conditional nature of the covenant between God and the Israelites. God promises to treasure them if they obey Him fully and keep His covenant.
Leviticus 26:9
“I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.”
Here, God promises to bless and protect His people, making them fruitful and increasing their numbers as He remains faithful to His covenant.
Deuteronomy 4:13
“He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.”
In this verse, Moses reminds the Israelites of the covenant God made with them when He gave them the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
Deuteronomy 7:9
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
This verse reassures the Israelites that God is faithful and will keep His covenant of love with those who love Him and follow His commandments.
2 Samuel 23:5
“Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?”
David expresses his confidence in God’s covenant with him, recognizing the everlasting nature of the covenant and his assurance of salvation and fulfillment of desires.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
“The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,’ declares the LORD. ‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the LORD. ‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'”
This verse speaks of the future new covenant that God will establish with His people, one that surpasses the old covenant and includes forgiveness, knowledge of God, and an intimate relationship with Him.
Luke 22:20
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Jesus refers to His blood as the foundation of the new covenant, symbolizing His sacrifice that brings forgiveness and reconciliation between God and humanity.
Acts 3:25
“And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring, all peoples on earth will be blessed.”
This verse reminds the early believers that they are part of the covenant that God made with their forefathers, specifically referencing God’s promise to Abraham and the blessing that would come through his offspring (Jesus).
Romans 11:27
“And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Paul speaks of the covenant God has with Israel, one that involves the forgiveness of sins and restoration through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:25
“In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Paul reiterates the words of Jesus, emphasizing the significance of remembering and participating in the new covenant through the practice of communion.
2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
Paul highlights the transformative nature of the new covenant, contrasting it with the old covenant that relies solely on the letter of the law. He emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing life and freedom through this new covenant.
Hebrews 7:22
“Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.”
Jesus is portrayed as the guarantor of a superior covenant, assuring the fulfillment and superiority of the promises made to God’s people.
Hebrews 8:6
“But in fact, the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one because the new covenant is established on better promises.”
The new covenant mediated by Jesus is described as superior to the old covenant, primarily because it is based on better promises from God.
Hebrews 12:24
“…to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
Jesus is presented as the mediator of the new covenant, and His sacrificial blood is contrasted with the blood of Abel, symbolizing its superiority and the redemption it brings.
Hebrews 13:20
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep…”
This verse acknowledges that Jesus’ resurrection is tied to the eternal covenant God made, highlighting God’s faithfulness and the lasting significance of this covenant.
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Peter reminds believers of their identity and purpose as part of the new covenant, highlighting their chosen status, priesthood, and belonging to God.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
This verse reassures believers of God’s patience and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, particularly His desire for all to come to repentance and be saved.
Hebrews 9:15
“For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Christ’s role as the mediator of the new covenant is discussed, emphasizing the freedom from sin and the promised eternal inheritance that believers receive as a result of His sacrificial death.
Galatians 3:29
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Paul teaches that by belonging to Christ, believers become part of the covenant promise given to Abraham, making them heirs of the blessings and promises of God.
Ephesians 2:12
“Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.”
Paul reminds the Ephesians of their previous status, highlighting that they were once excluded from the covenants of promise but now have hope and access to God through Christ.
Hebrews 13:20-21
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
This passage serves as a concluding blessing, expressing the hope that believers will be equipped and empowered to do God’s will through the work of Jesus Christ, bringing glory to Him forever.