Today’s reading is Genesis 14-18.

Daily Devotional – “Yahweh, God of Covenant” – GENESIS 15:17-21

I don’t know that there is a passage of Scripture which is richer in purpose, meaning and foreshadowing than these chapters in Genesis. We learn of the power, wealth and influence of Abram, meet Melchizedek, witness a covenant ceremony, and see the effect of “helping God” apart from His will. Indeed, history will forever be changed by Hagar’s child Ishmael and his “wild man” descendants who fight everyone and are constantly fought against. Circumcision is commanded as a sign of covenant relationship, God takes human form and meets Abram and Sarai, changes their names, and Isaac gets his name from instinctual laughter in response to God’s will. And, to cap it all off, Abraham bargains with God for the future of the cities on the plain.

Marriage is the closest ceremony to the covenant ceremony of the ancient near east. Two parties are joined together publicly with mutual promises and responsibilities. Yet, we must dig deeper to uncover the true significance of “covenant” in Scripture. In that day a suzerain (the superior party to a covenant) would seek out a vassal (the inferior party to a covenant) to enter into a treaty (the covenant relationship) filled with rights, responsibilities, promises, reminders and protection. The covenant would be ratified in a public ceremony. Although this is the first such covenant between God and man, it is by no means the last. The Law of Moses is given to the children of Israel in the form of a suzerain treaty (the book of Deuteronomy), and the Christian faith is a covenant with Jesus as its High Priest (after the order of Melchizedek) and mediator (the book of Hebrews).

Covenant ceremonies were usually characterized by a sacrifice and a meal. Promises (by the suzerain) were made and responsibilities accepted (by the vassal). The written document would be deposited in a specific place (usually a temple), and provisions were made for a periodic public reading of the covenant so all would remember. The covenant would remain in force until a mutually agreed point in time or until broken (Jeremiah 31:31-32). In all these things, we can see Christ.

Because of His sacrifice, we can be forgiven of our sins and become children of God. He gave us a memorial feast symbolic of His death and covenant promises to observe in remembrance of Him. The promise of everlasting life is accepted in faith, and the covenant is ratified publicly as the believer confesses Jesus as Lord and Christ (Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:37-39), repents of sin (Luke 13:3, 5 and Acts 2:38) and is immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ and at His command (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38). Following the covenant ceremony, the covenant is in full effect and each party has responsibilities. If we are faithful to confess our sins (a repentant lifestyle and attitude) He will continually wash us clean (1 John 1:5-9). There is no expiration date, and it is in force until broken. As Christians we are called to assemble together to open His word and be ever-reminded of His love, mercy, grace, justice and righteous judgment. Since God cannot lie and is faithful to His promises, that leaves only individual Christians (Romans 8:37-39 “you” are missing from the list) to break covenant if it is to be broken (Colossians 1:21-23).

In light of His nature and His sacrifice, you would think it would be a “no-brainer”. The simple fact is that life as a human in a fallen world is quite difficult. Satan uses good times and bad times, friends and enemies to attack our faith and draw us away from the covenant through distraction, temptation, apathy, indifference and man-made religion. Lions only pick off the weak stragglers from the herd, so let us grow stronger and not straggle behind. In His covenant, God has given us one another to love, encourage, admonish, teach, serve and mature together in faith. He has given us spiritual armor to protect us and the precious and powerful hope of heaven to sustain us. May we revolutionize our thinking to see Jesus Christ NOT as a PART of our life, but AS our life (Colossians 3:4).