ANCIENT COVENANTS
See also The Two Covenants and Weddings In The Time Of Jesus.

THE DEFINITION OF A COVENANT:

1.       Webster= A binding agreement between two to do or keep
    from doing a thing; a formal contract.

2.       Vine's Greek dictionary = agreement, to cut or divide.

3.       Strong's Greek dictionary = a cutting, compact made by
    passing between two pieces of flesh.

4.       Hebrew = The act of cutting in promise and pledge, Often
    cutting of part of the body, any part as long as blood flowed.

Actually there were 6 steps to the ancient covenant: Coat, Weapons, Name, Body sign, Sacrifice, Vow, Memorial, and Meal.

Note the emphasis and visual reminders.

1.       Coats: The exchange of coats represented giving all that was in the coat. "All I am I give to you." Sounds pretty good so far doesn't it? If I need anything you have, you’ll give it to me. If you are ever in need I have promised that I will supply that need.

2.       Weapons: The exchanging weapons represents giving you all of my strength. I pledge to always be your defense. Any defense I need you’ve covenanted also to supply.

3.       Names: The exchange of parts of names represented the idea that from now on I am a part of you and you are a part of me. When I speak my own name I will always speak of you. (Mark Smith and Norman Childs would become something like  Marknor Smichi)

4.       Body sign: This tradition was common among the American Indians and is still be practiced in some parts of Africa. The tradition originated before Abraham. Both parties would cut themselves, often in the wrist, and fasten their arms together to allow the blood of each to be pulled into the other person's body. My life in now in you and your life is now in me. The scar that remained was a sign to the world that you had a blood brother. If a bully came up, you could say, “Nyah, Nyah, Nyah, you can’t hurt Me! I’ve got a scar!”

OLD TESTAMENT:

1.       Coat: I am not aware of a passage in the Old Testament that mentions the exchange of coats.

2.       Weapons: I am not aware of a passage in the Old Testament that mentions the exchange of weapons.

3.       Names: Genesis 17:2-5, 15, "I will confirm my covenant between me and you... No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham... As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah."

 One of God's names is YAWA, which is the sound of breath, the breath of life. As far as reproducing, Abram was a dead man. He was 100 years old.  Ninety year old Sari was a dead woman, as far as her ability to reproduce but when they made a covenant with God, God gave them new power. Notice that part of God's name was added to Abram' name. Now he was no longer just Abram but Aber-ham. Notice the breath sound. And Sarai was no longer Sarai but but Sar-ah. Again notice the breath sound was added to her name. Now, because of this covenant, God's power was in both of them and they now had the breath of life within themselves and therefore they could now become parents.

4.        Body sign: "All I am I give to you. If I need anything you have, you’ll give it to me." If you are ever in need I have promised that I will supply that need. The body sign in the Old Testiment is circumcision which means a circle scission (cutting); Gen 17:10, "This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised."

During weddings preachers often say, "It is our prayer for you that the endless circle of this ring will always be a reminder to you of the endless devotion you have pledged to each other. How much more the endless circle of circumcision should be a constant reminder of the covenant the Jews made with God. It is also worthy of notice that all seed passed through the circle and therefore all children of the Jew's became part of the covenant relationship God.

Since God could not ware the body sign at that time, He allowed animals to be His substitute. They were cut as a sigh of His suffering.

WEDDINGS:

1.        Coat: "All I am I give to you. If I need anything you have, you’ll give it to me. If you are ever in need I have already promised that I will supply that need."

     The preacher says, "That you will be her faithful, loving and devoted husband; that you will provide for her for as long as you both shall live?”

2.        Weapons: “...that you will provide for her and protect her as long as you both shall live?"

3.        Names: Did I tell you about my girlfriend that died at the altar. Arlean Lenhart died. On the other side I met a new woman. Arlean Childs was reborn. I am so honored that where ever she goes she wares me name.

4.        Body sign: The cutting in a marriage is more symbolic. Together we cut the cake. We feed each other. We hold each other's drink as our arms are interlocked. The food I give her, that symbolized me, becomes a part of her body. The food she gives me, that symbolizes her, becomes part of my body.

    There is body sigh though, my wife and I ware a sign of our covenant on our left hands for everybody to see. That ring is more than just a piece of jewry. That is a sign to her, you and everybody else. She is not just another woman. She is my covenanted sister. I might not go to your rescue but she can count on me coming if some one starts hurting her. Hurt Arlean you deal with me. Before I would take a life in self defense I would think twice. Kill to save her life-don't need to think. I've already covenanted to do it!

NEW TESTAMENT:

1.        Coat = Galatians 3:27 (NIV) "All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed your self with Christ."

2.        Weapons = Romans. 8:37 "In all things we are more than conquerors through him who lived us." 

3.        Names = It is no longer I but Christ in me. I am not a Christian.

4.        Body Sign: (Song) Colossians 2:11-13 (Circumcision with out hands at baptism) Rom 2:29 "...a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart..."
 

SUMMARY:

1.        To enter into blood covenant in ancient days...
(1.  Coat-give all (2. Weapons-pledge strength (3. Names-take his  (4.  Cut-a sign of joining

3.        To enter into marriage covenant today...

4.        To enter into covenant with Christ-guess who gets the best deal.

Are you a covenant child of God? If not we can help you, call or write me today.
 

COVENANTS 

To enter When we go into a covenant with Christ-guess who gets the best deal?

Be sure to read "A covenant for the Birds."

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