SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE II: Covenants

Course Description:

In this course, students will discover everything we possess in Christ is because of a covenant
promise. Students will also gain clearer insight and understanding into God's covenants with
man.

Course Materials:
 The Holy Bible, King James Version
 Handouts as provided by the Instructor

Additional Course References (not required):

Covenants by Kevin Conner and Ken Malmin

The Book Covenant by E.W. Kenyon

Course Objectives:

Students will learn a broad range of topics, such as:

 What Constitutes a Covenant?
 The Covenants of God to Man in the Bible

Course Attendance Policy:

 As set forth in the General Information & Course Descriptions booklet.

Grade Components:
 One examination 100%

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 SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE II: Covenants

I. The Entire Word of God is a Book of Covenant.

A. The word "Covenant" is used 298 times in the Word of God.

B. Definition (English) of Covenant – "A covenant signifies a mutual understanding

between two or more parties; each binding himself to fulfill specified obligations; legal
contract; a binding agreement; a written agreement. It also refers to a solemn agreement
to do or not to do a certain thing."

C. The shedding of blood was the common denominator of various covenant ceremonies.

1. Sometimes, the blood shed was the blood of the parties entering the covenant.

2. In other covenant arrangements, a sacrifice of one or more animals was included.

II. Old Testament Covenant

A. Definition (Hebrew) of Covenant –The Hebrew word "beriyth" is defined as "a

compact," (made by passing between pieces of flesh), which implies the thought of
cutting a covenant (Genesis 15:17; Jeremiah 34:18). It can also be defined as a
compact, pact or covenant. In the King James Version of the Bible, beriyth is translated
as confederacy, league, and covenant.

B. Between nations, a beriyth (covenant) was a treaty (1 Kings 15:19).

C. Between individuals, it might be a business contract or pledge of friendship (1 Samuel

18:3; 20:8; 23:18).

III. New Testament (Greek) – In the New Testament, there are two Greek
words for covenant:

A. Diatheke means a "disposition, arrangement, testament, or will."

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1. A Last Will and Testament is a will that has been ratified (cannot be changed or
annulled) Galatians 3:15.

2. Diatheke is an "arrangement" made by one party with full and complete power,
which the other party may accept or reject but cannot change.

3. In the King James Version Bible, "covenant" may be translated as "testament"

(Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 7:22; 9:15-17, 20; Revelation 11:19) and "covenant"
(Luke 1:72; Romans 9:4; Ephesians 2:12; Hebrews 12:24; 13:20).

B. Suntithemai means "to put together, place together, to make an arrangement." It refers to
an arrangement between men; it is never used to refer to the covenants made by God and
presented to man.

1. In the King James Version of the Bible, it is translated as covenanted (Luke 22:5),
agreed (St. John 9:22; Acts 23:20), and assented (Acts 24:9).

C. In every case in Scripture, when a covenant was instituted between God and man, God is
seen as the Initiator.

1. Man did not come to God with a proposal seeking God's approval; rather, GOD
CAME TO MAN DECLARING HIS WILL AND SEEKING MAN'S
ADHERENCE.

D. A covenant is a contract between God and man, drawn up by God and presented to man.

IV. In Covenant 1 + 1 = 1: Two Becomes One!

A. In a covenant relationship, you no longer live for yourself. There is a Covenant Partner
to consider, and you must be true to that Covenant Partner.

B. A Covenant is a bond that commits you to another.

C. In Genesis 15:10, we learn God is not only the God of the covenant, but He is the Author
of a specific kind of covenant – the blood covenant.

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"And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece
one against another: but the birds divided he not." (Genesis 15:10)

D. Having mingled blood, the Covenant Partners would then share the blessings of the
covenant.

1. Since the two became one, they now have everything in common.

2. One by one, they would give an account of their possessions and debts.

3. The Covenant Partners had a right and an obligation to be aware of every detail.

4. When one comes to the end of his resources, his Covenant Partner is there to meet
his needs.

5. Recognizing this brings a full understanding of the promise, "But my God shall
supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4:19)

E. Key Words in Scripture Regarding Covenant:

1. BELIEVED is an unqualified committal of oneself. (Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-9;

Romans 4:1-3)

2. WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE is a willingness to die to your independent

lifestyle and to live for your Covenant Partner (death to self). (Romans 6:3-11)

3. FRIEND is a covenant term. One of the major covenants in all of Scripture is the
Abrahamic Covenant. Abraham was the only man in the Old Testament referred to as
"Friend of God." (II Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23)

V. WHAT CONSTITUTES A COVENANT?

A. The expressions of God's purpose are made into three parts. Each Divine Covenant has
three parts to it:

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1. The Words or Promises of the Covenant

2. The Blood of the Covenant

3. The Seal of the Covenant (signifying a finished product)

Any Covenant is invalid or incomplete without the testimony of these three things.

B. Each person in the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – had a part in the making,
ratifying, and sealing of the covenants.

The Father The Son The Holy Spirit

The originator, initiator, The sacrifice of body and The executor appointed to
covenant-maker, and keeper, blood, the second person, the carry out the will and testament
the source, the first, and the mediator, and the ratifier of the of the Father and the Son, the
beginning. covenant. third person, the completer,
and the fulfiller of the
covenant.

THE WORD/PROMISES of THE BLOOD of the Covenant THE SEAL of the Covenant
the Covenant

The Father's Word to Us The Son's Work for Us The Holy Spirit's Work in Us

C. Words of the Covenant – A Covenant consists of words that are either verbalized or
written. A Covenant has promises, terms, and the possibility of an oath and a book.

These promises could include:

1. Promises of blessings

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2. Promises of cursing

3. Natural, national, and temporal promises

4. Spiritual and eternal promises

D. The Terms of the Covenant – Any agreement between two parties involves certain
conditions under which the promises will be fulfilled. Certain promises were confirmed
with an oath. Without an oath, the promises may be subject to change or cancellation.

E. The Book of the Covenant – Although all the divine covenants were eventually put into
written form, the only one specifically made into a book of its own was the Mosaic
Covenant (Exodus 24:7).

1. The other covenants were placed in the greatest "Book of the Covenant," the Bible.

F. The Blood of the Covenant – The ratification of a covenant involved the shedding of
blood. It represented a life commitment on the part of those entering the covenant. A
covenant, which is substantiated by sacrifice, needed a priest to offer the sacrifice and a
sanctuary for the priest to perform his function.

1. The Sacrifice of the Covenant – A covenant sacrifice involved both the shedding of
blood and the death of the body.

2. The Mediator of the Covenant – Any sacrifice needs a sacrificer – one who is a
mediator officiating the covenant ratification ceremony.

This would include:

a. The Mediator and High Priest
b. The Priesthood

3. The Sanctuary of the Covenant – A holy sacrifice must be sacrificed in a holy

place. The priesthood must have a place to function.

This involved:
a. The altar
b. The Temple or Tabernacle

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G. The Seal of the Covenant – A seal is an ongoing tangible witness to the truth or the
genuineness of the covenant. It serves as a reminder of the authenticity of the covenant
promises and terms. Each of the Divine covenants had a particular seal, which was
referred to as either:

1. The Seal of the Covenant,

2. The Sign of the Covenant, or
3. The Token of the Covenant

VI. The Covenants of the Bible

Reference Materials: The Covenants by Kevin Conner, Our Covenant with God by Kenneth Copeland,
and The Blood Covenant by E.W. Kenyon.

A. THE EDENIC COVENANT was made before the entrance of sin, involving the
original man and woman, Adam and Eve. It reveals God's original purpose for the whole
of Adam's race (Genesis 1-2).

B. THE ADAMIC COVENANT was made after the entrance of sin, with Adam and Eve,
the original sinners and parents of the human race. It involved God's judgment on sin and
the coming of Messianic redemption (Genesis 3).

C. THE NOAHIC COVENANT was made with Noah after the Flood, involving all
creation, all creatures, and all future generations of the human race. It reestablished God's
purpose, as revealed in the Edenic Covenant (Genesis 6-9).

D. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT was made with Abraham, the father of all who
believed, the father of the chosen nation of Israel, after the Tower of Babel and the
scattering of the sons of Noah in their tongues, families, and nations. It involved
Abraham, his natural and national seed called Israel, and the Messianic seed, Jesus
Christ. It includes the believing Israelites and Gentiles coming into the Kingdom of God
(Genesis 12-22).

E. THE MOSAIC COVENANT was made strictly and only with the chosen nation of
Israel after the Exodus from Egypt at the foot of Mt. Sinai. It was not made with any

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Gentile nation but acted as a "schoolmaster" to bring Israel to the Christ who would be
the Saviour of the world (Galatians 3:24, Exodus 19-40).

F. THE PALESTINIAN COVENANT was made with the nation of Israel, especially the
second and new generation at the end of the 40 years wandering in the wilderness and
before they entered Canaan, the land promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. It laid out the
conditions for entering and maintaining the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 27-33).

G. THE DAVIDIC COVENANT was made with David after the death of King Saul and at
the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel under a Davidic King. It involved David, both
his natural and spiritual seed, and pointed ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ and the
everlasting throne and kingdom of the King of kings and Lord of lords (2 Samuel 7,
Psalm 89, Psalm 132).

H. THE NEW COVENANT was made with the two houses (Israel and Judah) after the
Jewry's judicial rejection of the Messiah and just before His crucifixion. It replaced the
Old or Mosaic Covenant with its external and temporal elements and carnal ordinances. It
is made available through the cross salvation for the whole world (Jeremiah 31:31-34,
Hebrews 8, Matthew 26).

I. THE EVERLASTING COVENANT was made in eternity in the counsels of the eternal
Godhead, between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the all-comprehensive covenant,
including the covenants of creation and redemption and God's eternal purpose for man.
All other covenants are fragments of the whole and are a progressive unfolding of his
Everlasting Covenant.

VII. The Abrahamic Covenant (A Unilateral Covenant)

A. A Unilateral Covenant

1. Genesis 15:9-21 offers the best illustration of the unilateral type of covenant. The
verb "to make" a covenant is literally "to cut" a covenant. Thus, when one made a
covenant, several animals were brought, cut in half, and arranged opposite each other.
The person or parties making the covenant would then walk through the aisle formed
by the carcasses and say in effect, "May it happen to me as it happened to these slain

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animals if I do not keep all the provisions of this covenant." (Compare Jeremiah
34:18-20)

2. The "smoking firepot with a blazing torch" pictures God as the only One who
walked between the pieces. This obligated Himself alone to bring all the blessings
and benefits of the Abrahamic Covenant. God's blessings were apart from any works
of obedience by Abraham or the patriarchs who followed Him and enjoyed the
covenant's benefits.

3. Scripture presents a fairly large number of covenants. The One True Living God
instituted many. The primary divine covenants include those made with Noah
(Genesis 9:9-17), Abraham (Genesis 15:18; 17:2), Moses (Exodus 19:5-6), David
(II Samuel 23:5; compare 7:12-16), and the new covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34.

4. If we keep our eyes on the content of these covenants, we will note how the
everlasting plan of God, both for our redemption and our successful living, was
unfolded. Genesis 12:1-22:19

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THE ABRAHAMIC CONTRACT

Genesis 12:1–3

THE "SUB" OR "BRANCH" CONTRACTS AND

THEIR RELATION TO THE ABRAHAMIC CONTRACT

LAND THE “SUB”

OR “BRANCH”
PALESTINIAN CONTRACT
DEUTERONOMY 30:1-10

SEED
DAVIDIC CONTRACT
II SAMUEL 7

BLESSING
NEW CONTRACT
JEREMIAH 31:31

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VIII. ABRAHAM: The Obedience of Faith

A. The kingdom's purposes of God could not be achieved until humanity could be redeemed
and restored to covenant-keeping capacity.

1. The promise had been given that the offspring of the woman would someday prevail
over anti-God forces. That offspring promise was to find fulfillment in one man and
his descendants, chief among whom was to be the Messiah who would affect
salvation and dominion.

B. Genesis 12:1-9 deals with God's Promise: Descendants, Blessing, and Land.

1. Abraham was called from Sumerian paganism to faith in the living God. God granted
him an unconditional set of promises – descendants and blessings. God promised to
lead him to Canaan, the earthly scene for working out of God's promises (12:1-3). On
Abraham's arrival in Canaan, he received God's promise of land (12:4-9).

C. Genesis 12:10-20 deals with the promises threatened.

1. The promises were threatened. Faced with famine, Abraham deserted the Promised
Land and placed Sarah – the link with the promise of descendants – in a potentially
compromising position as a member of Pharaoh's harem (12:10-20).

D. Genesis 12:1-18 deals with realizing the promises of the land.

1. We saw Abraham dwelling briefly in Canaan, going into Egypt (12:10-20), and
coming out with great riches and honor as Israel did later in the exodus (Exodus
11:1-3; 12:35-36). Then, in his conquest and occupation of the land, Abraham
divided the land between himself and Lot (Gen. 13:6-13). These territories now
became his permanent place of living (13:14-18).

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ABRAHAMIC CONTRACT

THESE SIX KEYS UNLOCK THE REST OF THE SCRIPTURE

THE PROMISE INCLUDES: THE PROMISE IS:

LAND LITERAL
Genesis 12:1 Genesis 13:14-16

SEED ETERNAL
Genesis 12:2 Genesis 13:15

BLESSING UNCONDITIONAL
Genesis 12:3 Genesis 15:9-18

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E. Genesis 14:1-24 deals with possessing the land and blessing neighbors.

1. Abraham's dominion of the land was not to be uncontested. The invasion of the cities
by kings of the east represented resistance to Abraham's claim to the land. Abraham,
acting on behalf of El Elyon, the Almighty God (14:20-22), overcame this threat. In
rescuing Lot's people (14:16), Abraham was fulfilling his God-given charge to be a
blessing to other nations.

F. Genesis 14:1-24 deals with the promise of descendants and land.

1. Though he had inherited the land by promise, Abraham did not yet have a son, even
after the year in the Promised Land. (Compare Genesis 16:3). The Lord reaffirmed
His promise (15:4), enlarging it to include innumerable offspring (15:5). They would
go to a strange land, but they would eventually return with the riches to fill the land of
promise (15:12-21).

G. Genesis 16:1-16 deals with the human effort to receive God's promise.

1. Sarah, Abraham's wife, was well past the age of childbearing. Following the custom
of the time, she and her husband decided the offspring promise could come to
fulfillment only if they took matters into their own hands. Sarah suggested her
handmaid to her husband as a surrogate mother. In due time, Ishmael was born (16:1-
16). However, this shortcut did not produce God's results.

H. Genesis 17:1-18 deals with God reaffirming His promise of an heir.

1. Once again, God affirmed His covenant promise. Abraham would be the father of
nations (17:1-8), but the nations would be born of Sarah, not Hagar (17:16). As a
pledge of his steadfast loyalty to His covenant pledge, the Lord established the rite of
circumcision (17:9-14). The Lord appeared as the angel of the Lord, revealing to
Abraham and Sarah that she would give birth to the promised offspring within the
year (18:1-10).

I. Genesis 18:16-19 deals with a blessing on neighboring nations.

1. God reminded Abraham he was the chosen means of blessing the nations (18:18). As
an illustration of what that meant, Yahweh revealed to Abraham that He was going to
destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, cities whose sinfulness was beyond remedy. Abraham

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knew this implied the death of his nephew Lot, who lived in Sodom. Abraham
mediated by pleading with the Lord to spare the righteous and, thus, the cities in
which they lived. Even though not ten righteous were found and the cities were
judged, Abraham's role as the one in whom the nations could find blessing is clearly
seen (18:22 - 19:29).

J. Genesis 20:1-18 deals with a threat to the promise of an heir.

1. Abraham also acted as a mediator with Abimelech of Gerar (Genesis 20). He lied to
Abimelech concerning Sarah, maintaining that she was only his sister. Abimelech
took Sarah into his harem, putting God's promises of an offspring through Sarah in
jeopardy. Before matters could proceed further, the Lord revealed to Abimelech that
Abraham was a prophet (20:7), one whose prayers were effective. Then, the plague
that Yahweh had brought upon Abimelech because of his dealing with Sarah was
removed in response to Abraham's intercession (20:17). Once more, Abraham's
function as a dispenser of blessing and cursing is evidenced.

K. Genesis 21:1-34 deals with the fulfillment of the promise of an heir.

1. At last, Isaac, the covenant son, was born (21:1-7). Through Ishmael, God honored
His promise that not only the Hebrews but also "many nations" would call Abraham
"father" (21:8-21; compare 25:12-18).

L. Genesis 22:1-19 deals with Abraham's obedience and blessing.

1. Within a few years, the Lord tested Abraham (22:1) by commanding him to offer his
covenant son as a burnt offering. The intent was to teach Abraham that covenant
blessing requires total covenant commitment and obedience. The word of these
scriptures also stresses that covenant obedience brings fresh bestowal of covenant
blessing (22:16-18). Abraham's willingness to surrender his son guaranteed the
fulfillment of God's promises to him. His obedience opened the door for God to fulfill
his commitment to man in offering his son to be a sacrifice (Genesis 22:20-25; 26:1-
33).

2. Abraham had waited for Isaac's birth. Abraham had stood ready to offer Isaac as a
sacrifice. Following the death and burial of Sarah (23:1-20), Abraham made
arrangements for Isaac to take a wife from among his kinfolk of Aramea (24:1-67;
compare 22:20-24). Abraham, thus, ensured the promise of an offspring into the next

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generation. Abraham died (25:7-8) and was buried with his wife by his sons Ishmael
and Isaac.

IX. The Davidic Covenant

A. An Everlasting Covenant

1. This Covenant was made with David and his house through Nathan the prophet and
was conditioned upon obedience, as were all the other covenants. It is an everlasting
covenant and contains seven blessings.

a. A Davidic house forever

(II Samuel 7:13-16; Psalm 89:20-37; Luke 1:32-35)

b. A Davidic throne forever

(II Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-35)

c. A Davidic kingdom forever

(II Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32-35)

d. A sure land for Israel forever

(II Samuel 7:10; Genesis 17)

e. No more affliction from the nations forever

(II Samuel 7:10; Psalm 89:20-24)

f. The fatherly care of God forever

(II Samuel 7:14; II Corinthians 6:15-18)

g. An eternal covenant
(II Samuel 7:10-16; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32, 33)

B. Additional Scripture References:

II Samuel 7:16 Isaiah 11:1, 10 Amos 9:11, 12

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I Kings 2:4 Micah 5:2, 4 Isaiah 9:6, 7

I Chronicles 22:8, 9, 10 Jeremiah 22:29, 23:5, 6
II Chronicles 7:17, 18 Jeremiah 33:20, 21
Psalm 89:3, 4, 27-29, 34-37 Zechariah 3:8, 9; 6:12, 13
Psalm 132:11 Zechariah 9:10; 13:1

C. An Eternal King

1. The promise of an Eternal King to arise in David's Family was repeated over and
over: to David himself, to Solomon, and again and again in the Psalms, and by the
prophets Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, over some 500 years.

2. By and by, in the fullness of time, the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth, to Mary,
who was of the family of David, and he said, "…and the Lord God shall give unto
him the throne of his father, David; And he shall reign over the house of Jacob
forever, and of His Kingdom, there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32b-33) In this child,
the Davidic promises found their fulfillment.

D. Covenant References

1. Agreements between two parties (Gen. 26:28; Dan. 11:6)

2. Designed for:

a. Establishing friendship (I Sam. 18:3)

b. Procuring assistance in war (I Kings 15:18, 19)

c. Mutual protection (Gen. 26:28, 29; 31:50-52)

d. Establishing peace (Josh. 9:15, 16)

e. Promoting commerce (I Kings 5:6-11)

f. Selling land (Gen. 23:14-16)

3. Condition of:

a. Clearly specified (I Sam. 11:1, 2)

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b. Confirmed by oath (Gen. 21:23, 31; 26:31)

c. Witnessed (Gen. 23:17,18; Ruth 4:9-11)

d. Written and sealed (Neh. 9:38; 10:1)

4. God often called to witness (Gen. 31:50, 53)

5. When confirmed, unalterable (Gal. 3:15)

6. Made by passing between the pieces of the divided sacrifices (Gen. 15:9-17; Jer.
34:18,19)

7. Salt is a sign of perpetuity in (Num. 18:19; II Chr. 13:5)

8. Ratified by joining hands (Prov. 11:21; Ezek. 17:18)

9. Followed by a feast (Gen. 26:30; 31:54)

10. Presents are given as tokens (Gen. 21:27-30; I Sam. 18:3, 4)

11. Pillars raised in token of (Gen. 31:45, 46)

12. Names are given to places where they were made (Gen. 21:31; 31:47-49)

13. The Jews:

a. Forbidden to make with the nations of Canaan (Ex. 23:32; Deut. 7:2)

b. Frequently made with other nations (I Kings 5:12; II Kings 17:4)

c. Condemned for making with idolatrous nations (Isa. 30:2-5; Hos. 12:1)

d. Regarded as sacred (Josh. 9:16-19; Ps. 15:4)

14. Illustrative

a. Of the contract of marriage (Mal. 2:14)

b. Of God's promises to man (Gen. 9:9-11; Eph. 2:12-19)

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c. Of the united determination of a people to serve God (II Kings 11:17; II Chr.
15:12; Neh. 10:29)

d. Of good resolutions (Job 31:1)

e. (With death and hell,) of carnal security (Isa. 28:15, 18)

f. (With stones and beasts of the earth) of peace and prosperity (Job 5:23; Hos.
2:18)

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