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From the Pastor’s Desk:

Covenants in the Bible: God’s Promises and Our Response

Our first reading on March 16, told part of the story of God’s covenant with Abram.  As I reflected upon that lesson I thought it might be helpful to use this space to give some basic information related to the various covenants God has made that are recounted within the Bible.  Throughout the Bible, God’s relationship with His people is built on covenants—divine agreements that reveal His character, His promises, and His plan for salvation. These covenants are not just ancient contracts; they shape the way we understand God’s faithfulness and our own responsibilities as His people.

Key Covenants in Scripture

1.    The Covenant with Noah – After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah, promising never again to     destroy the earth by water (Genesis 9:8-17). The rainbow became the sign of this everlasting promise,     showing God’s mercy and faithfulness to all creation.

2.    The Covenant with Abraham – God called Abraham and promised to make him a great nation, to     bless all people through his descendants, and to give his offspring the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-3,     15:18-21). This covenant pointed forward to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to bless the     world.

3.    The Covenant with Israel (Mosaic Covenant) – At Mount Sinai, God gave the Israelites His law     through Moses (Exodus 19-24). This covenant established Israel as a holy nation, calling them to live in     obedience to God’s commands.

4.    The Covenant with David – God promised King David that his lineage would endure forever and that     one of his descendants would reign eternally (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This covenant was fulfilled in Jesus     Christ, the eternal King from David’s line.

5.    The New Covenant – Through Jesus, God established a new covenant, one not based on the law but     on grace (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6-13). Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for all people to be     reconciled to God, with forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Him.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

God’s covenants remind us that He is faithful, even when we fall short. The new covenant in Christ means that we do not earn God’s favor through works but receive His grace through faith. This transforms how we live. Because of God’s promises:

We can trust in His faithfulness. Just as He kept His word to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, He will keep His promises to us.

We are called to obedience. The covenants show us that God’s love comes with a call to follow Him and reflect His holiness.

We have a mission. The blessings of the new covenant are meant to be shared. Just as God told Abraham that his descendants would bless the nations, we are called to share the gospel with the world.

As we reflect on God’s covenants, may we respond with faith, gratitude, and a commitment to live as His people, trusting in His unfailing promises. ‘For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’  For this reason it is through him that we say ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God.’  (2 Corinthians 1:20).