Covenant

Genesis 17

Some people see covenants everywhere in Scripture, even where the actual word, covenant, is not used. Limiting ourselves to where the Bible uses the word covenant, we see a number of divinely established covenants.

In our current reading through Genesis, we have already noted God's covenant with Adam (See Genesis 2:16-17; 3:17; Hosea 6:7), which involved a command and a curse if this command was not obeyed.

We also noted God's covenant with Noah and with all flesh, in which God unconditionally promised that the earth would never again be flooded. This Noahic covenant included the sign of the rainbow (Genesis 9:8-17).

Later God would establish His covenant with Moses, which included the sign of the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13-16). 

Even later on, God would establish a covenant with David, to build up His house and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:8-17; Psalm 89:3-4, 28, 34, 39).

In the fullness of time, Jesus Christ would inaugurate the New Covenant, signified in the Lord's Supper (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:22).

And in this reflection we think about God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15 and 17).

Firstly, we note that relationship with God is the essential core of this covenant.

God calls it "my covenant" nine times in  Genesis 17:2-21. He initiates it (Genesis 15:18), confirms it (Genesis 17:2) and establishes it (Genesis 17:7).

The essence of this covenant is a relationship between God and His people. In verse 7 the core of this covenant is explained as "to be God to you and to your offspring after you". And again in verse 8, God repeats this promise of relationship saying, "I will be their God." 

Secondly, we note that circumcision is the sign of this covenant.

To "keep" this covenant, every male is to be circumcised (Genesis 17:9-14, 23-26).

In the New Covenant era, Gentiles become participants in the blessings promised to Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ, but are not be required to undergo the physical sign of circumcision (Acts 15, Galatians). In fact, the Apostle Paul spiritualized circumcision in the New Covenant era. In Philippians 3:2-3 (ESV) he wrote, "[2] Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. [3] For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh."

Thirdly, we note that the land of Canaan was promised as a part of this covenant.

 Genesis 17:7-8 ESV - "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. [8] And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."

As we have noted, the essential aspect of this covenant is relationship with God, which is mentioned  before and after the promise of the land. Some would insist that the land of Canaan is indeed "an everlasting possession". Does "everlasting" (Hebrew, עוֹלָם {o-lawm'} here mean 'for ever' or 'for a long time'? There is another Hebrew word , נֵ֫צַח {neh'-tsakh} which might be stronger in referring to something perpetual, enduring, everlasting. Abraham looked by faith to an inheritance beyond the physical land, in heaven (Hebrews 11:8-10, 16). And even in the land of Canaan, Israel was said to be a "sojourner" (1 Chronicles 29:15) because ultimately the real land is "a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16).

Fourthly, we note that the supernatural, joyful line of this covenant was through Isaac.

Ishmael would also be blessed (Genesis 17:20) but the covenant with Abraham would be fulfilled supernaturally (See Genesis 18:14) through the line of Isaac, who would be born of Sarah (Genesis 17:15-22). Isaac's name means "laughter" and when God promises him a son through Sarah, Abraham "laughed" at the apparent impossibility of a child being born to such ancient parents (Genesis 17:17).