Day 1 – Perceiving Covenant Language

 Covenant

As stated earlier, the Bible is primarily the Book of the Covenant. There are many covenants in the Bible, some between men and some between God and men. Some covenants were initiated with individuals as with Abraham, but many are with nations, people groups and the world in general. The nation of Israel was created through Abraham’s covenant and they were birthed at the Passover event in Exodus. (Israel is my firstborn son Exodus 4:22).  In these times, we are unfamiliar with many of the references and knowledge of covenants due to the unfamiliarity with covenants in our culture and the problem of translations into English from the original language of the Biblical texts.  In this section, I will give you some of the keys to unlocking the knowledge and power of our covenant with God and how it really operates.

Key Words – Keys that unlock Covenant Understanding

1. Remember/ Remembrance - The word “remember” is one of the action and “state of mind” words associated with covenant relationships. “Remember” is not used as remembering something that we somehow forgot along the way, rather Covenant remembrance is the state of mind where we are always thinking of our covenant partners seeking for ways and opportunities to fulfill the covenant terms on their behalf. It is a constant state of vigilance that never sleeps or slumbers; it never wanes or is distracted towards other things.

Genesis 8:1-2

But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.  ESV

Genesis 19:29

So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.  ESV

Exodus 2:23-25

Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.  ESV

Luke 22:19-21

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."   And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.  ESV

When you do this remember me….. Jesus was speaking covenant language when he did the first “communion” with the disciples.

2. Friend – Abraham was known as a “friend “of God (James 2:23). Today we have many “friends” that are no more than casual acquaintances and there is no problem with those relationships or the language used to describe them, but in the Bible, a “friend” is only used in the context of people in loving covenant union.

Proverbs 18:24 Some “friends” pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.  CJB

Proverbs 17:17 A friend shows his friendship at all times —  it is for adversity that [such] a brother is born. CJB

Jesus was a friend to sinners

Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' ESV

What does this mean? Jesus did not come to condone the drunkards and the sinners, He came pay the price for the consequences of their sin against God and make the way for them to restore relationship with God and with men. Jesus is called a friend of sinners because the way of salvation was created by His once and for all sacrifice.  Jesus blood ratified the covenant between himself and the Father on behalf of all humanity. It is Jesus alone who fulfilled this covenant and thus is called our covenant friend.   See Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 15:1-2, Luke 19:1-10.

3.     Chesed or  Lovingkindness

The Hebrew word “Chesed”occurs 247 times in the Old Testament, it is variously translated as lovingkindness, mercy, kindness, favor, and goodness. “Chesed” (OT 2617) is a covenant word and it describes the eternal never ending compassion that the Lord has for us. Every time these words show up in scripture they are talking about God’s covenant attitude toward us. Take some time now to read Psalm136 and reflect on the true nature of our great God. 

Psalm  136

1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever--

4 To Him Who alone does great wonders, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

5 To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

6 To Him Who stretched out the earth upon the waters, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

7 To Him Who made the great lights, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever--

8 The sun to rule over the day, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

9 The moon and stars to rule by night, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

10 To Him Who smote Egypt in their firstborn, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 12:29.]

11 And brought out Israel from among them, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 12:51; 13:3,17.]

12 With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

13 To Him Who divided the Red Sea into parts, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 14:21,22.]

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

15 But shook off and overthrew Pharaoh and his host into the Red Sea, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

16 To Him Who led His people through the wilderness, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

17 To Him Who smote great kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

18 And slew famous kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever-- [Deut 29:7.]

19 Sihon king of the Amorites, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Num 21:21-24.]

20 And Og king of Bashan, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Num 21:33-35.]

21 And gave their land as a heritage, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

22 Even a heritage to Israel His servant, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Josh 12:1.]

23 To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us [on His heart], for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

24 And rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

25 To Him Who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! AMP

Discussion Questions:

 Day 1 – Perceiving Covenant Language

• What is Mercy?

• Matthew 5:7 says: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (ESV) Can you explain this verse in relationship to today’s lesson

• How can you extend loving-kindness towards God?