Covenant Theology

Covenant Theology

Overview

Abraham, the ancestor to the Jewish people was promised an everlasting covenant by God. This promise is a tall order seeing the length of time since said promise, events that have transpired, and a new covenant; which is designed to simultaneously fulfill and overwrite the original covenant we find here in Genesis. So what does it mean when God promises an everlasting covenant that we as Christians do not adhere to in the modern world?

God’s first promise to Abraham (as Abram) happens right after he is introduced. (Gen 12:1-4) Duration of this first promise is not mentioned, however even here we see that the promise is also liked to a command, which is a theme throughout the covenant with Abraham. In this first promise God tells Abraham that He will bless those that bless him and curse those that curse him, also promising a great nation to come from him as well. As he progresses (v. 7) God promises him the land he is currently in but without any specific notation on time or requirements.

Reading further in Genesis, (13:14-17) we find the first time God hints to a concept of everlasting; specifically noted as forever. God tells Abraham that his offspring will be as the dust of the earth and will live in the land forever, with no word on requirements on Abraham or his descendants.

As time moved on, Abraham became worried. We find him asking God where these descendants were to come from, seeing as he had no offspring as of yet. We pick up in Gen. 15:5-6 where God specifically reminds him that his offspring will be as the stars of the heavens. He goes on to show his covenant by a solemn ceremony that He participated in with Abraham. In this covenant ceremony God also reminds Abraham that his descendants will inherit the land. For his doubt, God tells him that the offspring will be enslaved for 400 years. (v.13) After this somber statement He reiterates His promise of land in verse eighteen.

After Abraham attempts to fulfill God’s promise on his own terms, God revisits Abraham and gives him more detail about this covenant that they have. (Genesis 17) God introduces Himself as El Shaddai, All Powerful, and states that Abraham is to walk blameless, that He might make my covenant between them, and multiply him greatly (v.1-3). God then tells Abraham that He will multiply him and bless the offspring and be their God and they shall be His people. (v.4-8) Then we find the specific requirements for Abraham and his descendants of circumcision as a physical act of obedience. This is part of the everlasting covenant, and God specifically states that all males born or bought shall be circumcised; (v.9-13) to violate this command violates the covenant that was made. (v.14)

So we see the covenant in its most clear form, spelled out clearly and precisely for any who were looking for loopholes. There is no exception to this rule; the covenant is dependent on obedience from the promised descendants and servants of Abraham’s line. Later in Genesis we find the promise of descendants and land fulfilled, as well as the promise of 400 years of slavery. The disobedience of said offspring caused them to lose their land, which was restored  again thousands of years later. So the portion of this covenant that has been a controversy since the ancient church remains for some people: What of the command of circumcision? Is it void? Or are we being disobedient?

The answer to the question is in the command. Circumcision was, and is, the covenant with the biological offspring of Abraham, just as the land of Israel is promised to the same biological heirs, not the modern church. We are indeed the spiritual heirs of Abraham, however we are not the biological offspring noted in this entire covenant.
This concept of a separation of Israel and the Church is one that is debated by many on various levels of Theological study. Much can be said and more hypothesized  to combine the two, but there is no correlation in natural birth as implied here and spiritual heirs of Abraham. The Church does not replace Israel as a nation, (biological inheritance) but does fulfill its role as the spiritual progeny of Abraham (spiritual inheritance). Being that we as the Church are not Jewish and do not claim Israel as our homeland promised by God we have no claim on this particular covenant in the form of land, relatives, or physical cutting.

If we do assume the roles of Church and Israel as separate, we then run into the question of Israel’s covenant with God. Are Israelites even still required to be circumcised? Are they exempt? Is an everlasting covenant expired when a new one comes into play? Does God change His mind? Have His requirements become more lax? NEVER. God does not change, nor do His requirements. Seeing that God cannot go back on His word we must pay great head to the warning (of possible annulment) given in Genesis 17:14 and prerequisite command of 17:1. These commands were broken repetitively throughout Israel’s history, breaking the covenant from the side of Abraham’s descendants. The question remains however, are the Israelite’s still required to be circumcised?

Again, we find that looking into the context we see that the reason for this procedure. It is so that Israel as a future nation remembers God’s promise of offspring and land. The punishment for violation of the terms also tie in with land and posterity, those who do not do so will be cut off from both land and relatives. 

ConclusionIn summation, God promised Abraham descendants, (Jews and Arabs) land, (Israel) and required a physical sign of loyalty and remembrance (circumcision). These things come into play in their inheritance and continued residence in their promised land. It is therefore a covenant to the Jews, which Christians are not Jews; nor are they required to be. The New Covenant to the Church does not abolish the Old; however, it does in some ways almost replace it as a more accessible means for us (especially Gentiles) to come before a Holy God.

Note: In this summation only Genesis references were given to examine the concept that even in that era this Covenant was only intended for literal Israelites..