COVENANT - BINDING TOGETHER
The Hebrew term for covenant is berit, meaning “to bond
or fetter.” It is translated into Greek as syntheke, “binding together” or
diatheke, “will, testament.”
E.g. Marriage is a covenant relationship. Two becoming
one .
Mutual understanding between two or more parties each
binding together to fulfill specified obligations; a legal contract; a binding
agreement;
In the Old Testament, The Hebrew Word BERIYTH is
used 264 times.
In the New Testament the Greek word Diatheke is used 23
times.
The English word covenant comes from the Latin convenīre,
meaning “to come together, agree.”
In bible there are 7 covenants 5 in the old testament 1 new testament and a
Everlasting covenant
·
Covenant can be conditional or unconditional
·
All covenant has following
o the
promises or terms of the covenant
o the
blood of a sacrifice by which the covenant is ratified
o the
sign by which the covenant is sealed
·
There are Seven covenants including Everlasting covanant
o In
the first three covenants, commonly called the Adamic, Noachic and the
Abrahamic covenants, God re-established His original purpose on an individual
basis with mankind, to enter into covenant with Him
o In
the second set of three covenants, the Mosaic, the Davidic, God called out a
nation to fulfill His Purpose
o In
the "New Covenant", Jesus as the Second Adam, fulfilled the covenant
that was made by birthing of the new 'man' in His image.
Old Covenants are called as Redemptive Covenant
& in new testament its fulfilled
·
Covenant revels the purpose(will) of God to mankind.
·
Steps in a Covenant
o Binding
agreement between two parties made by dividing of animals into two parts.
o The
animal halves were laid on the ground,against each other leaving a pathway.
o Then
the two men face each other,standing on the inside half of the animal, with
pools of blood in the midst of them
o The
pools of blood is considered as the holy ground.
o And
they exchange their belt and outer coat.
o The
coat symbolize the authority & identity of the person In this they are
saying" I am not my own, I belong to you now"
o Weapon
belts are exchanged, This indicates that: "I shall protect you;your
battles are my battles"
o Then
they would pledge all of their assets and liabilities to each other
o In
this that are saying, "May God do so to me and more if I break this
covenant"
o There
the two individuals would cut the palms of their right hands so that their
blood mingles, then join the hands together as they mutually pledged a vow.
o In
this they are saying" "We are becoming one with each other."
Life of all flesh is in its blood.To intermingle the blood is to intermingle
the life of two people.
o This
will be a life long scar.And this is the sign of the covenant
o The
names are changed or merged to reflect the new covenant relationship.To have
one's name is to operate in his authority
o The
entire households, tribes, or families come together to share a meal or
feast,which usually included bread and wine
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