BLOOD COVENANT: A Life Changing Understanding of Your Relationship with the LORD God Almighty (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 18)
Some of Life’s most Important Questions are answered by understanding Blood Covenant: Can I ever lose my salvation? What is God’s special plan for World History & for Israel? What did Jesus mean by: “This is the New covenant in my blood?” How strong & intimate can my relationship with God be through Jesus Christ? Can He ever stop loving me? How can I have more power in Prayer?
Our Bible is divided into the Old Testament & the New Testament or Old Covenant & New Covenant. Why? Without an understanding of Blood covenants, it would be almost impossible to fully comprehend or experience the full depth, loving intimacy, and total life encompassing nature of your relationship with God.
A Blood Covenant has been recognized as the closest, the holiest & most indissoluble compact conceivable (Gal. 3:15). Only in modern times has the significance and solemnity of Blood covenant been lost. We will try to bring out the life changing significance of blood covenant relationships as we survey the scriptures that deal with this crucial subject. Your relationship with God in Christ will be strengthened. Your experience at the Lord's Supper will be immeasurably enriched. Your battles in the spiritual warfare will be transformed from one of fearful struggle to one of courage & certain victory! It is time to take hold of our covenant privileges, rights, & responsibilities!
There are 5 main purposes for making Blood Covenant in the Bible:
1. To establish unbreakable friendship (fellowship) (James 2:23)
2. To unite armies for war or defense. (Rev. 12:9-12)
3. To protect a weaker person or nation (Josh. 9:1-20; 10:6-10)
4. To establish peace between enemies. (Col. 1:20-22)
5. To establish an indissoluble relationship that could not be
broken without serious consequences. (2Kings 13:23)
There are 2 kinds of Covenants in the Bible.
Conditional Covenants: such as The Law of Moses made at Mount Sinai & the Old Covenant of the Bible. Both parties entering the Covenant had to fulfill certain responsibilities for the Covenant to stay in effect.
Conditional covenants were temporary and could be abrogated. In Unconditional Covenants God takes full responsibility to fulfill all the promises of the Covenant by His sovereign grace alone, apart from any work of the recipients. We find 4 unconditional covenants in the Bible: The Abrahamic (Gen. 15); Palestinian (Deut. 30:1-10; Ezek. 16:60); Davidic (2 Sam. 7:10-16; I Chron. 17:3-14); and the New covenant or the New Testament of our Bibles (Jer. 31:31-36).
This study looks the Blood Covenant God Almighty made with Abraham in Genesis 15. It focuses on the 8 steps to making a Biblical Blood covenant. It will give us a profound understanding of the life changing relationship established when we enter into Blood Covenant Relationship with the LORD God Almighty through Jesus.
I.) THE HEBREW WORD FOR COVENANT: ("berith").
a.) It may be from "barah" = "to eat". A blood covenant was made by eating a meal together.
b.) The root word may be from "birtu" = "to fetter" or "to bind." A covenant bound two or more parties.
Blood "covenants" (berith) almost always appear with the verb "to cut." Hence a literal translation of "to make a covenant" would be "to cut a covenant" (Genesis 21:27; 26:28; I Samuel 18:3; etc.). Such covenants always involved the shedding of blood of an innocent animal without spot or blemish. [there are non-blood covenants]
II.) MARRIAGE is a Blood Covenant (Mal. 2:14; Prov. 2:16-17)
God the Father performed the 1st wedding in Eden. Christ’s 1st miracle was at a marriage feast (John 2:1-11). Jesus came to purchase His bride (the church) (Eph. 5:25-32; Matt. 25:13; Isa. 54:5). A love story is at the heart of all Creation & History (Rev. 19:6-10; Isa. 62:4-5). When is the blood shed in a Marriage Covenant?
III.) THE 8 STEPS OF MAKING A BLOOD COVENANT IN BIBLICAL TIMES. (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 18)
There is no single place in the Bible where the whole ceremony of Blood covenant is spelled out for us. One reason for this is because blood covenants were so common & so universally known that they didn't need to be explained. Everyone knew the procedure and what was meant by it. However, the Bible, as well as history, allows us to learn the full procedure for making a Blood Covenant & the incredible binding power involved in relationships forged by such a dramatic experience.
1.) The Blood covenant involved the sacrifice of animals without spot or blemish. They were cut down the middle lengthwise & the halves were placed opposite each other on the ground forming a bloody corridor through which Covenanting parties would walk together in a figure 8 pattern (Gen 15:10,17; Jer. 34:18-20). (Ex 24:6-8; IPet. 1:2).
Where is the sacrifice the bride & groom walk through in a wedding? The family and friends of the bride and groom are seated on opposite sides of the auditorium. These people represent all the sacrifices that were made on their behalf that enabled them to come to this sacred event in their lives. Dividing those who made the sacrifices provides a covenant setting
Abraham does not walk through the bloody pieces of the sacrifice. God puts him to sleep & a substitute takes Abraham’s place in making the Covenant (Gen. 15:12, 17). In the New Covenant Jesus took our place on the cross! (Eph. 2:5) as “the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 36; I Pet. 1:18-19; Isa. 42:6; 49:8)
2.) Covenanting parties make "the oath" of the covenant (Gen. 26:3)
When the parties met in the middle of the wall of blood they raised their right hand to heaven & pronounced the Oath of the Covenant. (Ezek. 17:18). This involved a curse (consequences for breaking the covenant = Deut. 28:15-45; Gal. 3:10; Jer. 34:18-22) & Blessings (for entering the covenant relationship = Gen. 12:3; Deut. 28:1-14) (see Heb. 6:13-14 on the power of an oath)(Ex. 24:8). Oaths were powerfully binding because God held them accountable to keep their word (Josh 9:19)
Jesus took the curse of the Law & Sin upon Himself so He could pour out His infinite blessings of Grace upon us (Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:3; Rom. 15:29). The Lord’s Supper is a “cup of blessing” (ICor. 10:16)
In a wedding, the bride & groom make their vows. Vows are important to God & can be a blessing or curse for God holds us accountable for keeping our word (Eccl. 5:4-6; Mal 2:14-16)
3.) The Covenanting Parties Exchange Clothes & Armor.
Abraham would have understood this when God said, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, & exceeding great reward" (Gen. 15:1). See David & Jonathan exchange clothes & armor in 1 Sam 18:3-4.
In the New Covenant God clothes us “with the garments of salvation” (Isa. 61:10). We “put on the LORD Jesus Christ” (Eph. 4:22-24; Rom. 13:14; Col. 3:8-14) & ‘the whole armor of God’ (Eph. 6:11-18)
In the Wedding the Groom's vows usually include Providing for, and protecting his wife.
4.) The Covenanting Parties Designate the Sign of the Covenant.
The sign of Abraham’s covenant with God was circumcision. (Gen. 17:11). Many things could be designated as a sign or reminder of the covenant. Altars of Earth or Stone (Ex. 20:24-25; Gen. 8:20,29; 26:24-25); Trees (Gen. 21:27,33); Or Stones (Gen. 31:44-48).
The Cross has become the visible sign of the New Covenant (Gal. 6:12-14; Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; I Cor. 1:23; 2:2).
Spiritual Circumcision is the invisible sign (Colossians 2:11-15). accomplished in us by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 2:29; Phil. 3:3, 10)
In a wedding the rings are the most common sign.
5.) The Covenanting Parties Eat a Covenant Meal Together.
Abraham literally sits down with God and has a Covenant meal (Gen. 18:1-3, 10, 13-14, 17-19, 22, 33). See Jacob & Laban in Gen. 26:28-30. (Read Gen. 31:44-54). An awesome scene in the O. T. was when Moses & the Elders of Israel "saw God, & did eat & drink." after entering into covenant relationship with God! (Exodus 24:4-11)
The Lord’s Supper is our meal with God in the New Covenant (Matt. 26:26-29; ICor. 11:23-5). It’s The LORD’s table; He is present!
Of course, the feast is a major part of every wedding!
6.) They would seal the covenant by exchanging valuable gifts that showed they had in effect surrendered
everything they owned to the covenant partner should they need them.
God told Abraham, "I am… thy exceeding great reward" (Gen. 15:1). God himself was Abraham's reward! What more could anyone ever want or need? Other examples of exchanging gifts are found in Gen. 21:27; 24:52-58. Dowries in marriage were an important type of covenant gifts.
Abraham later was willing to offer up his son as a "burnt offering" to God as proof he was fully committed to the blood covenant relationship (Genesis 22). Isaac literally became a "living sacrifice" when the lamb died in his place! (Romans 12:1-2)
Under the New Covenant Christ gives us countless gifts: Most precious: a relationship with Himself (IJohn 1:3-4; Heb. 9:14), the Father (John 14:6), & the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14; John 14:16-17; Eph. 4:7-12).
We must respond to such gracious love by offering ourselves to God as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2; 2Cor. 5:14-15). Live for Jesus!
Illustration: Josef T’son of Romania – Surrender not commitment.
In the marriage covenant a Bride and Groom are committing everything they have to each other. They will surrender their lives for each other to help each other become the person God created them to be.
7.) Sometimes they would be given new covenant names. This signifies the new person you will become
because blood covenant relationships are so intimate and life impacting!
God (Jehovah) changes Abram’s name to Abraham (Gen. 17:5-6) God changes Sarai's name to Sarah (Gen. 17:15-16). God became known as the God of Abraham! (Gen. 26:24; Act 7:32). God changes Jacob's name to Israel (read Genesis 32:24-30).
Marriage is a blood covenant (Mal. 2:14) where normally the wife takes a new name.
When we enter into Covenant relationship with Christ we are called “Christians.” We take His name. Don’t take it in vain (Ex. 20:7)
8.) Each new generation must decide whether or not they would enter into the covenant. If you choose not to
enter the covenant you will be cut off from the covenant promises (Gen. 17:14).
We enter the New covenant by repenting of our sins and trusting The LORD Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. Then we give a public demonstration of our faith by obeying the LORD’s command to be Baptized, which when done scripturally, is a vivid picture of you offering yourself to God as a living sacrifice! [buried & risen to new life!]
The invitation to the Wedding reception symbolizes the invitation to salvation. It prefigures the wedding supper of Christ (Rev. 19:7-9).
Once you understand what Blood covenant entails you realize you must enter it with your whole heart (Mk. 12:33; Acts 8:37 KJV; Ps. 119:2, 34; Jer. 24:7). We can hold nothing back from God!
What are the results of entering into a Blood Covenant Relationship with God through faith in Christ?
1. We have peace with God (Rom. 5:1, 8)
2. God defends us as we fight for His cause (Ps. 27:1-5; Rom. 8:31-39)
3. Almighty God protects us from our enemies including death
(I Cor. 15:54-58) (see also Eph. 6:10-16; 2 Cor. 10:4; Rom. 13:12)
4. We become close friends with God (Fellowship) (I John 1:3-4).
Abraham becomes the Friend of God by Blood Covenant (2 Chron.
20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). So we become the Friends of God by
entering the New Covenant (John 15:15)
5. We establish an indissoluble (Relationship) with God (Rom. 8:38-9;
2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:4-8; Phil. 1:20-23). We become members of
the Family of God by the New Birth (John 1:12)
Understanding that Marriage was designed by God to be a Blood Covenant relationship helps us answer the question of whether Christians should go to so-called same-sex “weddings.” Some wonder “Why turn down an invitation to a wedding when we’re fine eating with, working with, or being friends with people who call themselves gay?” Well, the answer lies in the fact that Weddings are not just another social event for people to celebrate their happiness. The profound Christian understanding, based on God’s Word, is that they are much more profound and serious than that. They’re a public act, with God as witness, inseparably joining two lives in a blood covenant relationship to create a family. God reveals the origin of marriage and its divine purposes in the Creation account in Genesis. It was designed to portray the relationship between Jesus and His bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:29-32). This is the ultimate destiny of every redeemed sinner saved by trusting Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior (read Revelation 19:4-10; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3). Whether those getting married realize it or not most wedding ceremonies reflect their eternal God given purposes. Those who attend don’t merely attend: they are participants, witnesses and supporters of the blood covenant relationship. To find our eternal meaning and purpose in life we must understand how marriage ceremonies are fundamentally different from a party and impact eternity!
ETERNALLY SECURE & BLESSED IN COVENANT WITH GOD!
