Looking for what the Bible says about covenant? You're in the right place. This page brings together key Scripture and principles on covenant from across many different books of the Bible, along with practical commentary and everyday applications that can transform your life. Because this commentary is excerpted from Study and Obey's verse-by-verse book studies, every verse here has already been interpreted in its full context. As you study God's Word on covenant, we encourage you to reflect on how to apply what God is teaching you. Enjoy!

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What Is a Covenant?

A covenant is a promise, a contract. There are a number of covenants in the Bible. The Noahic covenant is God's promise to Noah never to destroy the world by water again. The Mosaic covenant came in the form of the law. If God's people would obey the law, they would be blessed. The Davidic covenant was a promise that David's descendants would sit on the throne and reign over Israel.

The Abrahamic covenant includes God's promises to Abraham to increase his descendants and give him land. In this covenant, he also promised that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed.

Genesis 3:15 — "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

This is the first hint in Scripture that God planned to send a person to deal with the problem of sin.

Isaiah 42:6, 9 — "I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations… Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare."

I will give you a covenant - Note the words carefully. "You" refers to the servant, the Messiah. It doesn't say that He would bring a covenant, perhaps an updated law. The wording shows us that this servant is Himself the covenant. The Father will give Christ to the world as His covenant. Jesus is the covenant. He is the promise. God the Father gave Jesus to the world as our salvation.

Application — Do not turn to religion or rituals for salvation. Turn to the person of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 105:8-11 — "He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, 'To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.'"

When a contract is written out and signed, neither party can go back and change the deal. It has been confirmed, and nothing should be added or deleted. Some proponents of the law would argue that the Mosaic law was given by God to the Jews after the Abrahamic covenant and therefore replaced it.

Galatians 3:17 — "This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void."

The Mosaic covenant does not replace, change, or supersede the Abrahamic covenant. The Abrahamic covenant is based on faith and by it, God promises to reach all of the world through Abraham's offspring. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God's Word will stand. His promises are sure.

— From our Bible study on "Isaiah 42:1-9 — The Servant Song"

The Covenant as a Suzerain-Vassal Treaty

Deuteronomy 28:1 — "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth."

The format for the covenant between God and Israel laid out in Deuteronomy as a whole and in this passage is a Suzerain Vassal treaty. These types of treaties were common in the ancient Near East, especially in areas influenced by the Hittites.

The Suzerain was the sovereign, the ruler over his people. He would make a treaty with his vassals, the subjects under him. The ruler would promise protection and blessings to his people if they would be obedient and loyal. On the other hand, the treaty would lay out the penalties, or curses, for disobedience.

Deuteronomy 28 is a classic example. God is the sovereign. He promises blessings to those who are obedient and curses to the rebellious.

Reflect — Why did God use this format to make His covenant with the people?

It is unlikely that this type of treaty is made in heaven. Rather, God was using language and customs that the people would have been familiar with. It is an example of God condescending to communicate with us. There are many similar examples in Scripture, such as God being referenced as reaching out His arm to save or looking to and fro with His eyes. Language is used that we can understand and relate to.

Thus, the lesson is simple. The Lord wants to communicate with us. He did not just create the world and then leave us to our own devices. Instead, He desires to have a relationship with us. To bring that about, He reveals Himself to us.

— From our Bible study on Deuteronomy 28:1-24

The Sign of the Rainbow

Genesis 9:13-15 — "I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."

The rainbow was established to show God's covenant with his people, that he would never again destroy the world by water. The time He waited from Genesis 6 until later in redemptive history shows us His remarkable patience.

— From our Bible study on Revelation 10

Circumcision: A Sign in the Flesh

Genesis 17:10-11 — "This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you."

This never has and never will save anyone. Instead it was an outward symbol of their identification with God as His chosen people, His special nation. It was something different which they did from the other nations to show that they were not like other nations. They belonged to God.

Romans 4:11 — "And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them."

In Leviticus 12:3, God had commanded the Israelites to circumcise their sons on the eighth day. However, the previous generation had not done so. Certainly the people were rebellious and did not follow God obediently much of the time.

Application — Are we conveniently ignoring some of God's commands that are uncomfortable or inconvenient? Are we choosing the easy way or the Bible way? Are we following the people around us, afraid to stand out?

It seems that once again God was testing His people. Circumcision is a very painful procedure for grown men and basically incapacitates them for several days. Sound military strategy would have concluded that the men should be circumcised before crossing the Jordan since on the opposite side of the Jordan from their enemies they would have been safer.

However, God's wisdom far surpasses man's wisdom. He wanted the people to be humble. He wanted the people to trust in Him and not rely on their own understanding.

Romans 2:28 — "A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical."

The people had not been obedient. As a nation they had systematically disobeyed God's command to circumcise their children. How could they be successful fulfilling God's plan for them if they lived with deliberate sin in their lives?

— From our Bible study on Joshua 5

Blood of the Covenant

Exodus 24:8 — "And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, 'Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.'"

The blood of these sacrifices was a testament to the importance of this event, the people's own sinful nature and unworthiness, God's holiness, and a reminder that the people were inadequate to come to God based on their own merits.

The rocks next to the altar seemed to be a testament to the twelve tribes' unity in agreeing to the covenant to worship God. Every tribe and family was represented. It was a national decision.

Reflect — What was the purpose of the altar? How about the purpose of the twelve pillars?

This was like the banquet meal to affirm the covenant between the two parties. The elders and Moses took this meal as representatives for the people. Do believers do anything similar? The Lord's Supper and especially the Marriage Supper of the Lamb seem to be similar. This meal, kind of like a wedding feast, celebrated a new unity, agreement, and covenant between the two sides.

God did not stretch out His hand against them and kill them immediately. He would be perfectly just to do this since they were sinners in His presence. However, He mercifully and patiently restrains Himself. The sacrifices and cleansing taking place in the preceding verses prepared them spiritually for this great encounter.

— From our Bible study on Exodus 24

Blood Is Life

Leviticus 17:11 — "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life."

Blood is our life. Without it, we cannot live. And in the Old Testament we see clearly God setting up the system of substitutionary atonement.

Romans 6:23 — "For the wages of sin is death."

It is simple. Because of sin, someone must die. Either you die and face the consequences for your sin yourself. Or someone else dies in your place. That is substitutionary atonement. Put another way, either your blood is shed or someone else's.

In the Old Testament God commanded the Jews to establish a sacrificial system. These animal sacrifices were meant to teach important lessons about salvation.

Sin must be punished. This system taught God's justice. It shows us that God cannot just overlook sin. Someone must pay the consequences. Why? Because God is just.

Sin is serious and the consequences are ugly. People had to take animals to the temple to sacrifice them for their sin. Think about that for a moment. That is a horrible thing. It would certainly be a strong dis-incentive to sin! Every sacrifice would be a reminder about the terrible consequences of sin. These sacrifices should make you think twice before breaking God's law. Thus animal sacrifices were a visible reminder about the horrible consequences of sin.

They foreshadowed Christ's death on the cross. Animals were never intended as a long term solution.

Hebrews 10:4 — "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."

Animal sacrifices pointed to the ultimate sacrifice. They did not take away sin, but instead covered it. Think of it as a temporary stay of judgment. An animal dying could not take away our sin. So God sent what was most precious to Him, His very own Son. But sin is so insidious, so powerful, that to fully deal with it the Creator Himself had to die for sin. His death was shameful and ugly. And worst of all, He died because of our sin.

— From Jason's article "Why Is Blood Necessary for Redemption?"

Jesus' Blood Initiates a New Covenant

Mark 14:24 — "And he said to them, 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'"

Hebrews 13:20 — "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant."

In the Old Testament, blood of animals taught us the ugliness of sin, the justice of God, and the need for someone to help us solve the problem of sin. Jesus did this once for all on the cross. His sacrifice was final. Unlike with animals, it was not necessary to repeat it. Because Jesus' blood has infinite worth, His death can effectively be a substitute for an infinite number of people and cover an infinite number of sins.

The New Covenant is one of grace and forgiveness. If you repent of your sins, He will forgive you and cleanse you.

Hebrews 9:22 — "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."

Jesus died on the cross because there was no other way. His blood is the only thing that could give us redemption. His blood is the only thing that could really wash away our sins forever.

Application — Thank Him. Next time you sing worship songs about the blood of Jesus, I hope you will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of His sacrifice for you. Don't trample on the blood. Just as the animal sacrifices motivated people to live holy lives, so Christ's sacrifice should motivate us to live a holy life. All of our sins had to be paid for in full. Do not take that sacrifice for granted.

— From Jason's article "Why Is Blood Necessary for Redemption?"

An Eternal Throne

2 Samuel 7:12 — "When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom."

God chose David while he was a mere shepherd. He raised him up to become the leader of His chosen people. Here is more of God's plan for David: to establish David's house, a dynasty, a temple builder, and a perpetual dynasty.

2 Samuel 7:16 — "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever."

David's dynasty lasted until the Babylonian exile. His line still survived. Jesus came from the line of the Davidic kings and will finally fulfill this promise.

We are spiritual children of Abraham if we have faith in God. And we are spiritual children of David when we have this living, vibrant relationship with Him.

From this passage we are also reminded about God's sovereignty. He made promises that could take thousands of years to fulfill. The promise about his kingdom enduring forever hinged on David's line remaining unbroken from father to son for around a thousand years! What if one man in that chain died childless? Obviously the odds would not be in favor of these promises being fulfilled. But God is all-powerful. Time is nothing to Him. God said it and "bang" it happened! God's words are powerful. His promises will all come true.

Application — What promises has God made to us that we should be thankful for?

— From our Bible study on "God's Covenant with David — 2 Samuel 7"

Old Covenant Blessings vs. New Covenant Blessings

"Claiming the promises" is a popular idea for many believers. Some look at passages such as the blessings in Deuteronomy 28 and claim it for themselves. They may quote and claim promises of blessings such as those given in verses 12-13.

Deuteronomy 28:12-13 — "The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them."

These verses sound good, right? Who wouldn't want the treasures of heaven to be opened on them? However, we need to be careful to interpret Scripture within its proper context. This was a covenant between God and Israel. Assuming for a moment that you could join this covenant and sign your name to the contract, would you?

Deuteronomy 27:26 — "Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'"

These curses are no walk in the park. There are 53 verses worth of curses in this chapter. Here is one example.

Deuteronomy 28:27 — "The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt, and with tumors and scabs and itch, of which you cannot be healed."

Not so many people quote and claim this promise from God. The thing is, you can't have one without the other. You can't accept the blessings unless you are willing to accept the curses. It was a deal with both positive and negative potential consequences.

Under the Old Covenant, God promised blessings for obedience. Many of these blessings took physical form. Examples include fertility, success, health, and prosperity. Those would be outward signs that God was pleased with them as a nation. As other nations saw the physical blessings they received, they too would want to have a relationship with God. Therefore, the Israelite's positive example would be a good testimony to all the other nations. At the same time, their disobedience and the curses that followed would be a reminder of God's justice and the serious nature of sin.

It is good news for us that we are not under the Old Covenant. If we were, we would still be under the curse.

Romans 6:14 — "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."

In the New Covenant, God does not promise physical blessings for obedience. It is a covenant of grace. He does promise spiritual blessings.

Ephesians 1:3-4 — "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."

Reflect — What do these spiritual blessings entail?

Here are a few of our spiritual blessings.

• Eternal life
• Adoption as children
• Forgiveness
• Heavenly inheritance
• Indwelt by the Holy Spirit

These eternal blessings are far better than any temporal blessings on earth. Praise God that we are not under the Old Covenant. If we were, we would be under the curse because we, like the Israelites, cannot keep the whole law. That was given in its time to show the depth of sin and our need for a Savior. The law shows us that we can't save ourselves.

Because we are not under the Old Covenant, we cannot claim these promises of blessings for our own. They were given to a different group of people in a different time for a different purpose.

Reflect — Since this is the Old Covenant and we are under the New Covenant, how is this relevant to us?

• It teaches us that God wants to bless His people.
• It reminds us of the general principle that obedience results in blessings. You reap what you sow.
• It shows us that obeying God is a good testimony to the nations.
• It reminds us of the blessings that we experience today and that we should be thankful we are under the New Covenant of grace.

— From our Bible study on Deuteronomy 28:1-24

A New Covenant Written on the Heart

Jeremiah 31:31-34 — "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

The original covenant wasn't perfect. It had flaws, the main one being its inability to take away our sins permanently. The fact that there is a second covenant is further proof that the first is not enough. If it was enough, God wouldn't have made a second.

The New Covenant is internal, not external. One day the Jews will be following Jesus sincerely from their hearts, not just in outer traditions or rituals. This verse should serve as a reminder to us about the importance of our heart. Our Christian faith is not about going to church, praying publicly, or doing any other traditions that make us appear religious in the sight of people. It is about maintaining a close walk with God, about truly loving and following Him from our hearts.

You might be able to trick other people into thinking that you are a "good Christian" if you do the right things. But you can't trick God. He knows what you are thinking about. He knows the deepest desires of your heart.

Application — What is one area in which you need to apply the principles from this passage to your life? Write it down and check next week if you have done it.

God will forgive them. The Jews have a long list of sins. They have a long history of rebellion and disobedience. God would be perfectly just in simply wiping them out. But His patience hasn't run out. He will take that long history of rebellion and put it out of His memory. This same truth is also applicable to each one of us. We are all sinners just like the Jews. We have all rebelled against God. Yet He makes the same offer of forgiveness to each of us.

— From our Bible study on Hebrews 8

The Lord's Supper Celebrates the New Covenant

1 Corinthians 11:25 — "In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

The cup is a symbol for His blood. His blood ran out for us. It was this perfect blood that washed away our sins. It satisfied God's wrath.

The bread is a symbol of Christ's body. It is to be broken and then eaten in the same way that Christ's body was broken for us as a sacrifice. The bread does not miraculously transform into Jesus' actual body. Jesus was clearly using figurative language. But it represents the fact that we as believers identify with Christ. The biggest reason for taking the Lord's Supper is to remember what the Lord did for us. Life is busy and it is easy to get ingrained in our habits and actions and almost forget what Christ did for us.

Benefits of the Lord's Supper:

• Reminds believers of their unity in Christ.
• Reminds us of and proclaims to the world Christ's death on our behalf.
• Reminds us to examine ourselves and confess our own sins.
• Reminds of the grace of the New Covenant.

Reflect — How often should we take the Lord's Supper? There is no set term, which means it is up to the church and our Christian freedom.

The Lord's Supper serves not only as a reminder to ourselves, but a proclamation to all who may be watching that Jesus died for us. We are to continue this practice until He comes again.

Application — Do it with self-examination and a repentant heart. Do it with love for others and unity in the Spirit. Do it with thanksgiving and remembrance for what the Lord has done. Do it with the resolve to serve the Lord fully with our lives.

— From our Bible study on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

We hope you enjoyed this Bible study on covenant. May God use His Word to speak into your life and give you strength to follow it. Please take some time to reflect on the questions below and consider leaving a comment with your key takeaway or insight.

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