Theory question 101
The CovenantSection A (Themes from the Old Testament). Answer at least one question from this section.
(a) What is a Covenant? (b) Illustrate how God proved to Abraham that He would honour the covenant
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(a) A covenant is a solemn agreement or binding promise between two parties; in the Bible, an agreement God makes with His people, with promises and conditions, often sealed by a sign or sacrifice.
(b) God promised Abram descendants as many as the stars; Abram believed and it was reckoned as righteousness (Genesis 15:4-6).
God told him to bring a heifer, goat, ram, turtledove and pigeon; he cut the animals in two (Genesis 15:9-10).
A deep sleep fell on him; God foretold Israel's 400 years of slavery and deliverance (Genesis 15:12-16).
A smoking fire pot and flaming torch passed between the pieces: God bound Himself by oath to give the land (Genesis 15:17-21).
God renewed the covenant, changed his name to Abraham and gave circumcision as its sign (Genesis 17:1-14).
He fulfilled the promise by giving Sarah a son, Isaac, in old age (Genesis 21:1-3).
He provided a ram in place of Isaac and repeated the promise on oath (Genesis 22:13-18).
Define covenant, then show how God confirmed and kept His promise.