2. The Two Covenants

What is a covenant? Simply stated, a covenant is a contract. According to Webster’s dictionary, it is “a mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, in writing and under seal, to do or to refrain from some act or thing”.

Within the pages of the Bible, one will find numerous covenants, or contracts. Consider Genesis 3:15 for example. Although the term ‘covenant’ is not used, this verse is really the starting point in the revelation of God’s covenant. As highlighted in the previous episode, this was the earliest disclosure of the plan of redemption. Right after Adam and Eve fell, God promised to place enmity between the serpent and mankind, by sending His Son—through the seed of the woman—to pay the penalty of man’s transgression and condemn sin in fallen, human nature. This critical yet beautiful verse was the unveiling of that mystery kept secret by the Father and Son since the world began. 

The first instance that the word ‘covenant’ is employed is in Genesis 6, where God tells Noah that He will never again send a flood to cover the entire earth.

Skipping ahead to chapters 15 and 17, God makes a covenant with Abraham. Here, God promises to multiply Abram’s seed exceedingly, and give him the land of Canaan. In Genesis 17:7, God calls this “an everlasting covenant”.

As part of this covenant, God declares to Abram: “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”. Genesis 22:18. This is clearly a reference to Jesus Christ; the Messiah who would come through Abraham’s seed. In effect, God’s covenant with Abraham is a renewal of the covenant He first made with Adam in Genesis 3:15; where He promised that the Saviour would come through the seed of the woman.

Yet what does this “everlasting covenant” have to do with the old and new covenants? How does Scripture identify the former and the latter? And why does the apostle Paul describe the second as “a better covenant, based on better promises”? Finally, if the ten commandments formed the basis of the old covenant, and the old covenant has decayed and vanished away, then are they still binding under the new?