Covenant Lesson 1. Greek and Hebrew Meanings Hebrew: Beriyth: a pledge or an agreement; a compact that is made by passing between pieces of flesh, a confederacy.

CovenantLesson 1

Greek and Hebrew Meanings• Hebrew:• Beriyth: a pledge or an agreement; a compact that is

made by passing between pieces of flesh, a confederacy or a league. (Strongs)

• Karath: to make an alliance, bargain• Greek:• Diatheke: a disposition, a contract, a testament, or a

covenant. (Strongs)

GOD and Noah• First mention of Covenant Gen. 6:18• Between: God, Noah and his descendants• God initiated with Noah and all living creatures• Noah was blameless; walked with God• Covenant promise: never to bring a flood to destroy

the earth again• Sign: Genesis 9:12 First mention. Rainbow

GOD and Abram• Genesis 15 Initiated by God• With Abram• Promise: descendants, land• Abram brought: One 3 year old heifer

One 3 year old female goat

One 3 year old ram

A dove and pigeons

GOD and Abram• Bloodshed: Abram cut the animals in half, but not

the birds.• He laid each half opposite the other• A smoking oven and a flaming torch passed

between the pieces of flesh – Covenant was cut

Genesis 17• Made: Karath – to cut off, cut down• Abram was 99, Sarai was 90 (vs.17)• God changed their names• God promised descendants and Land of Canaan• Circumcision was the sign• God initiated it ALL

Genesis 28:10-22• Same promises are made to Jacob, Isaac’s son• Jacob’s descendants would be as numerous as the

dust• All families of the earth would be blessed• Land and descendants• Jacob made a vow: an oath, a solemn binding

agreement• He set up a pillar as a reminder

Men’s Covenants• Gen. 21:22-34 Abraham and Abimelech• Promised they would not deal falsely with one

another, but with kindness• Genesis 26: 23-31 Abimelech initiated a covenant

with Isaac for the same reason as with Abraham: fear

• Had a feast and exchanged oaths

Men’s Covenants• Genesis 31:43-55 Laban initiated a covenant with

Jacob. • Same basis: fear• Set up a pillar as a reminder and witness• Named it: Galeed and Mizpah = watchtower• Ate a meal

GOD and Israel• Exodus 24:1-11 God initiated with people of Israel• God kept His Covenant and delivered them after

400 years of captivity• The descendants of Abraham were estimated at over

2 million at the time of the Exodus• Moses received the Word from the Lord and built an

altar

GOD and Israel• Moses took half the blood and sprinkled it on the

altar, the other half on the people• The people took an oath: “All that the Lord has

said, we will do.”• Nobles of Israel went up on the mountain, saw God,

ate and drank and did not die. • Same as Abraham: Blood, oath, meal

Elements of Covenant• Sacrifice, feast or eating and drinking• God initiates• Man initiates• Covenant with Israel was conditional: They agreed

to be obedient to the Lord

Jesus and Believers• New Covenant: between Jesus and believers• Matt. 26:20-29 Jesus initiated• Bread signified His body, the cup His blood• Luke 22:17-20 New Covenant in His blood• Isaiah 42:5-9 God appointed His servant Jesus as a

Covenant to the people• Malachi 3:1-2 Jesus is the Messenger of the New

Covenant

CovenantsGod with Men

• Noah and every living thing

• Abraham• Isaac• Jacob• Israel

Old Covenant (Law)• Jesus with believers

New Covenant

Men with Men• Abimelech and

Abraham• Abimelech and Isaac• Laban and Jacob