What are the words of the covenant God made with Adam?
(Gen. 1:2-3:24; Amos 3:3; Hos. 6:7; Zech. 6:3; Heb. 13:20) Blog Mar. 28-Apr. 3, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: This quarter we will consider God’s covenant. The Bible is full of references to covenants. From these we hope to develop a covenant theology that will greatly enhance our understanding of how God deals with humanity and how we should deal with each other. To begin we include the initial portion of our “Covenant Catechism.”
Introduction — Relationships
Every religion has to do with some form of union, fellowship, friendship, or relationship with the Deity. This is not peculiar to the Hebrew religion. What is peculiar to the Hebrew religion is that this union with the Deity is based on a legal arrangement, a covenant. God establishes fellowship with his people on a legal basis. Apart from a contract he would have no relationship with them.
The Bible repeatedly compares this covenant to a marriage contract (Eze. 16:8, 60; Hos. 2:16; Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:14; 31:32; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7). In a marriage covenant vows are exchanged before witnesses and this binding agreement is sealed and acknowledged with a sign or token. Israel’s solemn promise at Mount Sinai is a fitting example of such a contract. When God’s people vowed, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do (Ex. 19:8),” they were making the betrothal pledge of a bride.
Just as the most solemn human relationship, marriage, is based on a legal covenant, so God’s union with his people has a legal foundation. To enter the marriage relationship apart from a binding legal contract is fornication. And in the spiritual realm God will have nothing to do with spiritual fornication. All his relationships with his people are based on and flow from a legal contract. It has always been in the divine order that relationships have a legal basis. Apart from a covenant there can be no lasting relationship. This order pervades God’s universe. And only the religion of man, inspired by that of his deceiver, attempts to change that order.
Today it is popular to say, “All that really matters is your relationship with God.” But to speak of relationships apart from covenants is like speaking of holy living (sanctification) apart from divine acceptance (justification). Who would be comfortable saying, “All that really matters is holy living?” Dare we say that, “Sanctification without justification is fornication”?
In order to grasp the Bible meaning of “covenant” this catechism has been compiled. While its question-and-answer format may be a fast read, the careful consideration of its Bible references will prove an inspiration to those who make the effort. It is our desire that you enjoy an eternal relationship with God based on his everlasting covenant.
SECTION ONE — COVENANTS IN GENERAL
What is a covenant?
Q. What is a covenant?
A. A covenant is an agreement between two parties which binds them together.
Q. What binds the parties of a covenant together?
A. The mutual promises made under oath bind the covenant partners together.
Q. What does the word “bind” imply?
A. A bond implies that there are requirements which each party must fulfil.
Q. What do the words of a covenant agreement include?
A. A covenant usually includes:
1) a prologue stating:
a) the contracting parties
b) their previous history
c) the relationship that is being entered
2) the requirements which each party is to fulfil
3) the seal of the governing authority
4) the sign of the covenant
5) the penalty for breaking the covenant and
6) the time duration of the agreement.
A present-day example
Normal Wedding vows for a couple who are already known by those in attendance would run something like this:
I, Raymond, take thee, Jennifer (1a), to be my lawful wedded wife (1c), to have and to hold, to love, honor, and cherish (2), in accordance with the laws of the state of Tennessee (3), and before these witnesses herewith give thee this ring as a token (4), forsaking all others (2), till death do us part (5, 6) herewith I give thee my troth (promise).
The Creation Covenant (Gen. 1:26-29; 2:16-25; 3:15; Job 31:33; Eccl. 3:21; Hos. 6:7; Rom. 5:12-19)
1. When God created mankind in what ways were we created like God? We were created like God in that we have interpersonal relationships of love & communication (only a plurality of persons can communicate & love – God is plural), in that we have the ability to conceive & produce (to think & to do), in that we were given dominion responsibility (self-government as well as the government of this earth), & in that we have physical form as male & female (formed out of dust & filled with the live-giving breath of God).
2. In what ways were we created different from other animal life? We were not just “spoken” into existence but rather we were “formed” by God’s own hand in his image which was not the case with any other creature & to us was given a divine covenant in the person of Adam, our federal representative which was not the case with any other life form although the fish & birds were told to “be fruitful and multiply.”
3. What are the words of the covenant God made with Adam? “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
4. What other Bible scriptures reveal the truth that God made a covenant with Adam as our federal representative? Hosea 6:7 that speaks of Adam breaking the covenant; Job 31:33; & Romans 5:12-19.
5. What happened to God’s covenant made with humanity in Adam? Adam broke the covenant by eating the forbidden fruit, thus bringing condemnation to eternal death to every human being.
6. What structural evidence of God’s creation covenant is found in the creation story? Genesis 1-3 includes an historical prologue (Gen. 1-2); a covenant sign (2:1-3); divine provisions of water & food (2:4-15); covenant stipulations (2:16-17); covenant sanctions (2:17b) over which Eve & the serpent argue (3:1-5); & which are executed by God’s judgment (3:8-19) followed by God’s provision of a sacrificial substitute.
The Everlasting Covenant (Gen. 3:15; Zech. 6:13; 2 Sam. 23:5; 1 Chron. 16:7-18; Psa. 105:8-11; Isa. 24:5; Eze. 16:60; 37:21-28; 1 Pet. 1:18-20; Heb. 4:3; 13:20; Rev. 13:8)
7. What provision for the salvation of the human race did God offer after sin entered? God provided a Substitute for the first Adam in the Person of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, & offered the human race redemption through “the Seed of the woman” (a reference to the immaculate conception of Jesus whose nature was sinless) clothing the pair with coverings provided by the death of a sacrifice.
8. On what basis could God immediately offer a substitute for humanity’s salvation? On the basis of a previous, eternal covenant make between the Father & the Son before the foundation of the world.
9 What evidence does the Bible give of a pre-creation covenant between God the Father and the Son? The pre-creation covenant (called the everlasting covenant) is referred to in Zechariah 6; Hebrews 13; & 1 Peter 1 as well as in other passages listed above.
10. What promises did the everlasting, pre-creation covenant include? It included the promise of the Father to create & give to the Son a perfect bride & it included the promise of the Son to be substitute & surety for the bride should she fall from her original perfection (which would require the precious blood of the Son).
An Ongoing Relationship (Genesis 1:26-2:25; 3:15; Amos 3:3)
11. How did God show Adam and Eve that he desired an ongoing relationship with them? By creating them in his image & likeness, by speaking directly to them in blessing & dietary provision, by setting apart a special day for communication with them, by providing a companion for Adam, & by making a covenant with Adam, the federal head of all humanity, in which they were given free will to love & relate to God or to depart from him.
12. According to Amos 3:3 what is necessary if two parties are to have an ongoing relationship? They must have an agreed upon covenant that defines & secures that relationship.
13. What new covenant promise did God make to Adam and Eve after their fall? That a deliverer would come & through great personal suffering defeat the devil that took them into slavery.
14. How was the covenant of Genesis 3:15 different from that of Genesis 2:16-17? The creation covenant placed the burden of victorious obedience on Adam while the post-fall covenant placed the burden of victory on Jesus, the “last Adam.”