Introduction
It is significant to mention that a covenant is a contract between two parties. Unconditional is an agreement between two parties in which only one undertakes to accomplish specific actions, and the other side is not required to do any work. Therefore, the covenant with Abraham is an unconditional covenant because God had made promises to Abraham that needed absolutely nothing from the other party. Hence, it is essential to establish the meaning and peculiarities of God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12-22, its relationship to other parts of Scripture, and to people’s lives today.
The Meaning and Characteristics
It is significant to mention the peculiarities of God’s covenant with Abraham and its meaning. It is contained in Genesis 12:1-3 and the ceremony recorded in Genesis chapter 15 indicates the unconditional nature of the covenant. If both sides of the covenant passed between the animal parts, it would mean that the covenant’s fulfillment depended on both sides’ fulfillment. However, only the “there was a flame, and behold a smoking furnace and lamps of fire, which passed between these divided pieces” representing God passed between the dismembered animals. This one-sided action of His indicates that the covenant is solely His promise.
He placed a dream on Abraham to prevent him from passing between the two parts of the animals, and only God was to fulfill the covenant. Afterward, the Lord gave Abraham the rite of circumcision as a special sign of the covenant (Gen 17:9-14). All the men in the patriarch’s line were to be circumcised and thereby wear the sign of being part of God’s physical blessing in the world all their lives. A member of Abraham’s family who declined to be circumcised proclaimed himself excluded from the testament. This is the reason why God was displeased with Moses when he refused to circumcise his child.
The Lord chose to separate a special people for Himself, and through them, He was determined to bring blessing to all nations. The covenant with Abraham is of primary relevance to a correct interpretation of the concept of the kingdom and is basic to Old Testament doctrine. First, there are no conditions attached to this covenant, the fulfillment of which is dependent on human beings. Second, it is a literal covenant in which the promises are to be understood accordingly. The Promised Land is to be taken literally; it is not an image of heaven. Third, it is also an endless covenant; God’s promises to Israel are eternal.
In addition, it is important to identify three essential characteristics of God’s covenant with Abraham. God invited Abraham from the Ur of the Chaldees to the land He wished to provide for him, this promise is confirmed in Genesis 13:14-18, and the dimensions of the ground are given in Genesis 15:18-21. Thus, it excludes thoughts of the fulfillment of this covenant in heaven. The land element of the Abrahamic covenant is developed in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, where the Palestinian covenant is recorded. The following special feature is the promise of a posterity, God promising Abraham to bring forth from him the beginning of a great nation. Childless, 75-year-old Abraham was promised many generations (Gen 12:4). This statement is extended in Genesis 17:6, where the Lord promised that nations and kings would descend from the aged patriarch. Further, this promise, expanded upon in David’s covenant in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, was to be fulfilled on David’s throne by the Messiah’s dominion over the Jewish people. Moreover, God promised to bless Abraham and, through him, all the nations of the earth. This promise was extended in the New Testament and had a direct bearing on Israel’s spiritual blessing and redemption. It is remarkable that the Lord affirmed these promises regardless of the misdeeds of the patriarchs, which once again highlights the unconditional essence of the agreement with Abraham.
People’s Life Today
It is crucial to recognize that humans today are also inheritors of the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. Accordingly, people today continue to attend church despite the fast pace of life and technological advances. As a result, when they are baptized in the church, the vow of salvation, which is part of the Abrahamic covenant, is renewed. Even when they visit the church, the promise of exaltation, which is also part of the Abrahamic covenant, is renewed. Therefore, the people will continue to fulfill their covenant obligations and try to follow the established standards of behavior to receive the blessings of the covenant. Humans will continue to meet fundamental responsibilities such as helping their neighbors, which is manifested in the establishment of centers and organizations that are dedicated to helping those in need around the world. Furthermore, the commandments of God that must be fulfilled in the modern world are encapsulated in moral and legal codes of conduct. Hence, people’s lives today are also aimed at observing the Abrahamic covenant.
Conclusion
In summary, God blessed Abram to become the ancestor of many descendants, including kings. Furthermore, He blessed Abraham by providing him with land and, through him, blessed all nations that exist. Additionally, the covenant with Abraham is supplemented by the covenant of David and expanded in the New Testament, which links it to other Holy Books. Moreover, in today’s world, believers will continue to fulfill their obligations before God to receive the blessings of the covenant.