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Israel's Obedience and God's Covenant Promises in Scripture

The concept of covenant, or berith in Hebrew, is central to understanding the relationship between God and Israel in Scripture [6, 7]. A covenant is an agreement between two parties, often involving promises and obligations [6]. In the Old Testament, God established several covenants with Israel, which included divine promises conditioned on Israel's obedience [1].

One of the most significant covenants was made at Sinai (also called Horeb), where God gave Israel a divine constitution with promises contingent on their adherence to His commands [1]. This covenant involved blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy [1, 10]. For instance, Deuteronomy 6:3 states that observing God's commands would lead to well-being and increase in the promised land [5]. The covenant at Sinai was not considered "faultless" or the ultimate end of God's plan, as it did not fully address human weaknesses [11].

God also made specific promises to key figures in Israel's history. He covenanted with Abraham, promising him descendants and a land [3, 4]. Similar promises were made to Isaac and Jacob [3, 4]. A distinct covenant was established with David, promising an everlasting kingdom for his lineage, sonship, and superintendence of the temple [2, 3, 4]. These promises were confirmed by an oath [3].

Israel's obedience was a recurring theme within these covenant relationships. The covenant at Sinai, for example, explicitly linked blessings to keeping God's commandments [10, 12]. However, Israel frequently transgressed God's covenant [8]. When Israel broke faith, God's promise of favor could cease, as the covenant was not one-sided [13].

The prophetic books, particularly Jeremiah, speak of a "new covenant" that God would make with the house of Israel [9]. This new covenant would involve God putting His laws into their minds and writing them on their hearts, establishing a deeper relationship where He would be their God and they would be His people [9]. Christian theology understands this new covenant to be realized through Jesus Christ's redemptive mission [11, 14].

Sources

  1. Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H1285] berith (part 3/6) — with Israel at Sinai = Horeb, with a covenant sacrifice Exod 19:5; 24:7-8, (E) 34:10, 27, 28 (J) 31:16; Lev 2:13 (P) 24:8; 26:9, 15, 25, 44, 45 (H) Deut 4:13; renewed in plains of Moab Deuteronomy 28:69; with blessings and curses 29:20; frequently referred to in other books 2Chr 34:32; Psa 25:10; 44:18; 50:5; 50:16; 74:20; 78:10; 78:37; 103:18; 106:45; 111:5; 111:9; Isa 56:4, 6; Jer 1:2-3, 6, 8, 10; 14:21; 22:9; 31:32; Ezek 16:8, 59, 60; 44:7; Dan 9:4; 11:28, 30, 32; Hosea 6:7; 8:1; Zech 9:11; 11:10; a divine constitution given to Israel with promises on conditi”
  2. Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H1285] berith (part 4/6) — with David Psa 89:4; 89:29; 89:34; 89:39; 132:12; Jer 33:21 (compare 2 Samuel 7 = 1 Chronicles 17); a divine promise to the seed of David of an everlasting kingdom, the relation of sonship, and the superintendence of the temple (compare Psalms 2..) g. Jehoiada and the people 2Kin 11:17 2Chr 23:3, a constitutional agreement to be the people of Yahweh. h. Hezekiah and the people2Chr 29:10, a constitutional agreement to reform the worship. i. Josiah and the people 2Kin 23:3, a constitutional agreement to obey the book of the covenant. j. Ezra and the people Ezra 10”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
  5. Deuteronomy “Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. -- Deuteronomy 6:3”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith o”
  7. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — The Heb. berith means primarily "a cutting," with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18,19) In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke), which is frequently translated testament in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used-- + Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between”
  8. Joshua “Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff. -- Joshua 7:11”
  9. Hebrews ““For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days,” says the Lord; “I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people. -- Hebrews 8:10”
  10. Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 7:11: Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day--In the covenant into which God entered with Israel, He promised to bestow upon them a variety of blessings so long as they continued obedient to Him as their heavenly King. He pledged His veracity that His infinite perfections would be exerted for this purpose, as well as for delivering them from every evil to which, as a people, they would be exposed. That people accordingly were truly happy as a nation, and found every promise which th”
  11. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:7: 8:7-13 The author quotes Jer 31:31-34, an Old Testament prophecy concerning the new covenant that includes a number of striking promises. Establishing the superiority of the new covenant lays a foundation for the argument in Heb 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was superior to the offerings of the old covenant. 8:7 The first covenant, made at Sinai, was not faultless. It was not the end of God’s plan, because it didn’t solve human weaknesses (see 7:11-28; 8:9).”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 21:21: 21:21 Righteousness and unfailing love are character traits associated with Israel’s covenant with God (see Exod 34:5-7; Deut 7:9-11). The covenant promised life and honor to those who obeyed God’s law (Deut 28:1-14).”
  13. Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 16:59: the oath--the covenant between God and Israel (Deu 29:12, Deu 29:14). As thou hast despised it, so will I despise thee. No covenant is one-sided; where Israel broke faith, God's promise of favor ceased.”
  14. Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 31:31: 31:31 The day of the new covenant was realized when Jesus Christ accomplished his redemptive mission on earth (see Heb 8:8-12).”
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