The covenants between God and man

The covenants between God and man constitute one of the principal keys to the interpretation of the Old Testament, denoting the dividing lines between the different dispensations and indicating the several changes of procedure in God’s dealings with the earth. There are arguably eight covenants made by God referred to in Scripture. Much could be written concerning these different covenants, but we will only deal with the covenants in Genesis. At various times God condescended to enter into a compact with man, and failure to observe the terms and scope of these compacts leads to the utmost confusion. These covenants are an important pact between Gods relation with man.

The Adamic covenant was not the first covenant in the history of God’s relationship with humanity. Rather it was given due to the failure of a perfect obedience of the covenanting partner and had entered into that first covenant with Adam at creation. Some have questioned whether it is appropriate to speak of a covenant when Adam was in Eden. Vavosar Powell preferred to call it a command. Thomas Goodwin saw it as the “Law of Creation.” The actual word covenant is not used in the Genesis narratives. However, the essential parts of a covenant are all there; a clear definition of the parties involved, a legally binding set of provisions that stipulates the conditions of their relationship, the promise of blessings for obedience, and the condition for obtaining those blessings. Moreover, in Hosea 6:7, referring to the sins of Israel, says “But they like men have transgressed the covenant.” The Targum, the Talmud, and the Vulgate render “like men” as “like Adam.”

In the Garden of Eden, it seems quite clear that there was a legally binding set of provisions that defin...

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... between Me and you.” (Genesis 17:10) As the Lord has already initiated His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15:18, this was a further confirmation and ratification of the covenant made previously. Circumcision is the “sign” of the Lord’s “everlasting” covenant with Abraham. (Genesis 17:9-13) Significantly, the one in future generations not circumcised “shall be cut off from his kin,” that is, be expelled from the community that will experience the blessings of this “everlasting” covenant.” (Genesis 17:14)

In conclusion, the covenants between God and man, under gird the totality of the biblical revelation. Specifically elucidated in Genesis, its promises govern the pattern of all that follows in Exodus to Revelation. Everything from the creation to Revelation, speaks of sin and redemption, the violation of the first covenant by Adam, and the following of another.