The Covenants. Throughout scripture, we read of a number of covenants that God made with special individuals, or with the nation of Israel. The Noahic Covenant (Gen. 9:8-11), the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18; 17:2), the Priestly Covenant with Phinehas (Num. 25:13), the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 23:5; 1 Kings 8:25), the Old Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:5), and the New (Millennial) Covenant (Jer. 31:31).

 

What is a covenant? A covenant is an agreement between two parties. It can govern something of common interest to both parties, a promise to be fulfilled, or the relationship between the parties. In scripture, God’s covenants with man govern the relationship in which man can approach Him. J. N. Darby remarked, “Covenant, when used in connection with the Lord, is always, it seems to me, some order established by God and announced to man, according to the terms of which He enters into relationship with man, or according to which man is to approach Him”, ¹ “A covenant is a principle of relationship with God on the earth — conditions established by God under which man is to live with Him. The word may perhaps be used figuratively, or by accommodation.”²