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What is a covenant? Need we be concerned about covenants? What covenant have all Christians entered into?

We start with a list of bullet points that have been extracted from the following research. These points are to generate an interest about the significance (importance) of covenants. Every child of God has entered into a covenant with Him. And if you are His, let this be a starting point to seek a fuller understanding of your part in the covenant He has made with you.

• A covenant signifies a mutual undertaking between two parties, each binding himself to fulfill obligations
• YHVH communicates and reveals Himself to man by covenants
• His covenants are wholly the bestowal of blessings to man
• YHVH’s covenants are called God’s counsel, oath, and promise
• A covenant was made with Abraham and his posterity - a second legal covenant had to be added because of transgressions (Sinai covenant)
• Because of the fault of man a new covenant was needed; administrated by Yeshua
• The "new covenant" of which Christ is the Mediator and Author, and which was confirmed by his blood, comprehends all who believe in him and are born again
• This new covenant is applying the Torah (law) of God to our hearts by His Spirit
• Our part, once we enter into this covenant, is obedience to the commands brought to our attention by the Holy Spirit
• Because of the covenant we make with God the Father and Yeshua Messiah we can truly worship the Holy One of Israel in Spirit and Truth

Webster 1828: COVENANT, n. [L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.]

1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons;
2. A writing containing the terms of agreement or contract between parties.
3. The covenant of God, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.
4. In church affairs, a solemn agreement between the members of a church, that they will walk together according to the precepts of the gospel, in brotherly affection.

Need I be concerned about covenants?

AmTrac: (American Tract Society Bible Dictonary)

The word testamentum is often used in Latin to express the Hebrew word which signifies covenant; whence the titles, Old and New Testaments, are used to denote the old and new covenants.

A covenant is properly an agreement between two parties. Where one of the parties is infinitely superior to the other, as in a covenant between God and man, there God’s covenant assumes the nature of a promise, Isa 59:21; Jer 31:33, 34; Ga 3:15-18.

The "new covenant" of which Christ is the Mediator and Author, and which was confirmed by his blood, comprehends all who believe in him and are born again, Ga 4:24; Heb 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:15-23; 12:24.

The divine covenants were ratified by the sacrifice of a victim, to show that without an atonement there could be no communication of blessing and salvation from God to man, Ge 15:1-8; Ex 24:6-8; Heb 9:6.

Thus God covenanted with Noah, Abraham, and David, Ge 9:8, 9; 17:4, 5; Ps 89:3, 4, and gave them faith in the Savior afterwards to be revealed, Ro 3:25; Heb 9:15.

Yes, if you have accepted the new covenant with Messiah. So what is the New Covenant?

Looking at the matter more particularly, we have to note the words of Christ at the institution of the Supper. In all the three Synoptists, as also in Paul's account (Matt 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1Cor 11:25) "covenant" occurs. … The expression, in any case, looks back to the old and points the contrast; but in the contrast there are points of resemblance.

It is most significant that Christ here connects the "new" covenant with His "blood." … Christ, by speaking of His blood in this connection, plainly indicates that His death was a sacrifice, and that through that sacrifice His people would be brought into a new covenant relationship with God. He specifically mentions one great blessing of the new covenant, the forgiveness of sins--"which is poured out for many unto remission of sins" (Mt 26:28).

The writer draws out fully the contrast between the new covenant and the old by laying stress upon the perfection of Christ's atonement in contrast to the material and typical sacrifices (Heb 9:11-23). … and by that perfect offering He has secured "eternal redemption" in contrast to the temporal deliverance of the old dispensation.

This new covenant established by Christ was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah, who uses the very word "new covenant" in describing it … The first covenant was not faultless, otherwise there would have been no need for a second; but the fault was not in the covenant but in the people who failed to keep it… I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." …"I will put my laws into their mind, and on their heart also will I write them: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." This at once shows the spirituality of the new covenant. Its requirements are not simply given in the form of external rules, but the living Spirit possesses the heart; the law becomes an internal dominating principle, and so true obedience is secured.

Ezekiel had spoken to the same effect, … Eze 36:27: "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mine ordinances, and do them." Other important foreshadowings of the new covenant are found in Isa 54:10; Isa 55:3; Isa 59:21; Isa 61:8; Hos 2:18-23; Mal 3:1-4. We may well marvel at the spiritual insight of these prophets, and it is impossible to attribute their forecasts to natural genius; they can only be accounted for by Divine inspiration. Archibald McCaig

The legal covenant of Sinai … "It was added because of the transgressions" (Gal 3:19), i.e. to bring them, and so man's great need, into clearer view (Rom 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 7:7-9). But the promise to David (2 Samuel 7; Psalm 89; 2; 72; Isaiah 11) took up again that to Abraham, defining the line, the Davidic, as that in which the promised seed should come.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated (Covenant).

• man and man (Gen. 21:32)
• between tribes or nations (1 Sam. 11:1; Josh. 9:6, 15)
• the marriage compact is called "the covenant of God" (Prov. 2:17)
• In entering into a covenant, Jehovah was solemnly called on to witness the transaction (Gen. 31:50), and hence it was called a "covenant of the Lord" (1 Sam. 20:8).

• God's promise to Noah after the Flood is called a covenant (Gen. 9; Jer. 33:20, "my covenant").
• We have an account of God's covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17, comp. Lev. 26:42)
• of the covenant of the priesthood (Num. 25:12, 13; Deut. 33:9; Neh. 13:29)
• of the covenant of Sinai (Ex. 34:27, 28; Lev. 26:15)

God's covenant is said to be confirmed with an oath (Deut. 4:31; Ps. 89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Gen. 9; 17). Hence the covenant is called God's "counsel," "oath," "promise" (Ps. 89:3, 4; 105:8-11; Heb. 6:13-20; Luke 1:68-75).

God's covenant consists wholly in the bestowal of blessing (Isa. 59:21; Jer. 31:33, 34).

• the regular succession of day and night (Jer. 33:20)
• the Sabbath (Ex. 31:16)
• circumcision (Gen. 17:9, 10)
• and in general any ordinance of God (Jer. 34:13, 14).

All praise to God the Father of Yeshua Messiah our Savior and soon coming King. Let not this be the defining of the covenants of YHVH but the beginning; for our relationship with our Maker is therein defined. Be obedient to the terms of the covenant we have entered into with Yeshua.

John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 3:19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.

The covenant’s of God can be called His "counsel," His "oath," and His "promise".

The term covenant is also used to designate the regular succession of day and night (Jer. 33:20)

"A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on." Carl Sandberg

Meditate on this for awhile to grasp the depth of this saying. When YHVH calls and we accept; we become a new creation. New, as a baby or a little child that depends on the parent; so must we depend on our covenant Maker Yeshua the Messiah.

1. According to Revelation 19:13, in what was the Word of God’s (Messiah’s) robe dipped?
2. Which book begins, "The words of the Teacher, son of David. King in Jerusalem"?
3. Where was Jacob buried?
4. How much money did a poor widow give to the temple treasury?
5. How old was Moses when he died?
6. Who laughed when told she would have a son?
7. Who said, "Tell me the secret of your strength and how you can be tied up and subdued"?

In our pursuit of humility: (Lesson from humility in daily life.)

"The humble person feels no jealousy or envy, He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can hear others praised and himself forgotten, because in God’s presence he has learned to say with Paul, "I am nothing." He has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not himself and sought not His own honor as the spirit of his life, " Andrew Murray

When we covenant with Messiah, He becomes our Master; it is He that imparts His Spirit to each of us. It is Messiah that is head of the whole assembly of saints: Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Therefore being part of the body we must each look to the Head, Yeshua as our example, our direction, our empowerment and nourishment. Then and only then can we look at our brother in true humility. We will be focusing on acts of service, on being closely nit together and dwelling in unity; that we, together, may truly glorify our Head.

All praise, honor and glory to God the Father of Yeshua and our Savior and Master.

Understanding the precepts of prayer.

Genesis 32:9-12 Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,’ I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. For You said, ‘I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is too great to be numbered.’"

Reading Jacob’s prayer "Deliver me, I pray (now, I beseech)…" There is so much to glean from this prayer. Consider some of them:

• Jacob was relying on the covenant YHVH made with his fathers
• Jacob was obedient in leaving Laban to return to the Promised Land
• Jacob had taken several precautionary steps just prior to this prayer
• Jacob humbly acknowledges he is unworthy and he is afraid of Esau
• Jacob acknowledges YHVH’s loving kindness and faithfulness
• Jacob trust YHVH by recalling YHVH’s covenant with him
• Jacob pleads for deliverance from Esau

Matthew Henry Commentary: (edited)

Now it is worth while to enquire what there was extraordinary in this prayer, that it should gain the petitioner all this honor.

I. The request itself is one, and very express: Deliver me from the hand of my brother. …he believed the power of God could rescue him…

Note: We have leave to be particular in our addresses to God, to mention the particular straits and difficulties we are in; for the God with whom we have to do is one we may be free with: we have liberty of speech at the throne of grace.

II. The pleas are many, and very powerful; never was cause better ordered. He offers up his request with great faith, fervency, and humility. Deliver me, I pray thee.

1. He addresses himself to God as the God of his fathers. …a God in covenant with his ancestors; and this he could the better plead because the covenant, by divine designation, was entailed upon him.

2. He produces his warrant: Thou said unto me, Return unto thy country; … in obedience to God’s command.

3. He humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness to receive any favor from God: I am not worthy; it is an unusual plea. Note: Self-denial and self-abasement well become us in all our addresses to the throne of grace. [in other words "In humility"]

4. He thankfully owns God’s goodness to him in his banishment, and how much it had outdone his expectations…

5. He urges the extremity of the peril he was in: Lord, deliver me from Esau, for I fear him. The people of God have not been shy of telling God their fears; for they know he takes cognizance of them, and considers them.

6. He insists especially upon the promise God had made him: Thou said, I will deal well with thee, and again, in the close: Thou said, I will surely do thee good. Note: The best we can say to God in prayer is what he has said to us. God’s promises, as they are the surest guide of our desires in prayer…

He pleads also a particular promise, that of the multiplying of his seed.

Ps 119:49 Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope.

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD … hears the prayer of the righteous.

This example gives us great courage to humbly seek the face of YHVH.

Previously in this section we looked at being good stewards with our trash.  This time we will look at being good stewards with our possessions.  We should realize that all our blessings come from God.  He wants us to share them with others.  If we are holding on to something without intentional plans to use it - that is hoarding.  We need to give it away to someone who can use it.  That is a blessing.  Letting stuff become too important to give away is when it becomes a sin.  The verse of Luke 12:21 is from a parable of a man who built bigger barns to store all his stuff.  But he died in his covetousness before he could use it.  If you were told to sell what you have, give to the poor and follow Yeshua (see Matt 19:21), could you do it?  God wants our hearts to be given to Him, not the things of this world which will soon pass away.  Where is your treasure?

Material in this section is based on various prayer diaries.

Two Stories, BOTH TRUE 

STORY NUMBER ONE 

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. 

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed 'Easy Eddie.' He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. 

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. 

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. 

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example. 

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. 

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al 'Scarface' Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. 

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street . But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. 
The poem read:
'The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time For the clock may soon be still.' 

 


STORY NUMBER TWO 

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. 

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. 

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. 

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. 

As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. 

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. 

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. 
Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. 

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. 

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. 

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. 

This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of
29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. 

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. 

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER? 
Butch O'Hare was 'Easy Eddie's' son.
(Pretty cool, eh!)

Some of the material contained in this section is for informational purposes only and has not been verified by us.

An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia he asked to speak to his son.   "Yes Dad, what is it?" "Don't be nervous, son; do your best and just remember, if it doesn't go well, if something happens to me …  your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife...."

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It's 3:00 A.M. and Goldie wakes up to see her husband pacing the floor.
"Melvin, why can't you sleep?" she asks him. 
"You know our next door neighbor, Sam. I borrowed $1,000 from him, and it's due tomorrow morning and I don't have the money. I don't know what I'm going to do." Melvin replies.
Goldie gets out of bed and opens the window. "Sam," she shouts, and several times more, "Sam, Sam."
 Finally a very groggy Sam opens the window opposite her and yells back, "What, what is it...it's 3 AM, what in the world do you want?"
   Goldie says, "You know the $1,000 my husband owes you? He doesn't have it."
She then slams the window shut, turns to Melvin and says, "now you go to sleep, and let Sam pace the floor."

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A young man called his mother in Florida.
He said to his mother, "How are you doing?"
She said, "Not too good. I've been very weak."
The son then asked, "Why are you so weak?"
She said, "Because I haven't eaten in 38 days."
The son then asked, "Why you haven't eaten in 38 days!?"
She said, "Because I didn't want my mouth to be filled with food when you called."

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A young woman teacher explains to her class of children that she is an atheist.  She asks her class if they are atheists too.
Not really knowing what atheism is but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands explode into the air like fleshy fireworks.  There is, however, one exception.  A Jewish girl named Sara has not gone along with the crowd.
The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different.
"Because I'm not an atheist."
"Then," asks the teacher, "what are you?"
"I'm Jewish."
The teacher is a little perturbed now, her face slightly red.  She asks Sara why she is Jewish.
"Well, I was brought up knowing and loving God.  My Mom is Jewish, and my Dad is Jewish, so I am Jewish."
The teacher is now angry.  "That's no reason," she says loudly.  "What if your Mom was a moron, and your dad was a moron.  What would you be then?" A pause, and a smile.  "Then," says Sara, "I'd be an atheist."

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The Doctor: Mrs. Cohen, your check came back.

Mrs. Cohen: So did my arthritis

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An old man and a young man are traveling on the train. The young man asks: "Excuse me, what time is it?" The old man does not answer.

"Excuse me, sir, what time is it?" The old man keeps silent.

"Sir, I'm asking you what time is it. Why don't you answer?!"

The old man says: "Son, the next stop is the last on this route. I don't know you, so you must be a stranger. If I answer you now, I'll have to invite you to my home. You're handsome, and I have a beautiful daughter. You will both fall in love and you will want to get married.  Tell me, why would I need a son-in-law who can't even afford a watch?"

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Have a good day!

It is a tragic thing watching the downfall of a nation. My heart can’t help but weep.

I have discovered a sure way to keep from getting discouraged in ministry. Every morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that it is not your battle it is God’s. Do what you were called to do, do it faithfully, do it diligently, do it wholeheartedly, do it passionately, and let God do what He promised He would, namely draw all men unto Himself.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed.

To understand people, you must understand their memories.

It doesn’t do any good to sit up and take notice if you just keep on sitting.

Trying to dim someone else’s light doesn’t make yours shine any brighter.

Psalm 89 is based on the covenant made with David, found in 2Samuel 7. It is about the promised Messiah. This is a most beautiful Psalm and contains not only the promise of our Messiah but praise, glorifying His attributes for what He is to His seed. (Does His seed dwell in you?)

3 "I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant,
4 I will establish your seed forever And build up your throne to all generations." Selah.

8 O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.

11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.
15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.
16 In Your name they rejoice all the day, And by Your righteousness they are exalted.
17 For You are the glory of their strength, And by Your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the LORD, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

20 "I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him, (Holy Spirit)<
21 With whom My hand will be established; My arm also will strengthen him.

26 "He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
27 "I also shall make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 "My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall be confirmed to him.
29 "So I will establish his descendants forever And his throne as the days of heaven.

34 "My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
35 "Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. (You can count on it)
36 "His [seed AV] shall endure forever And his throne as the sun before Me.
37 "It shall be established forever like the moon, And the witness in the sky is faithful." Selah.

Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…)

1. Blood - Revelation 19:13

2 Ecclesiastes - Ecclesiastes 1:1

3. In the cave of Machpelah - Genesis 59:1-13

4. Two very small copper coins (all she had) - Luke 21:1-4

5. 120 years old - Deuteronomy 34:7

6. Sarah - Genesis 18:10-13

7. Delilah - Judges 16:6