Even though God has much to say about the costs of breaking his everlasting covenant, covenants do not enter into practical theology for either Jews or Christians. Jews have their own doctrinal view of Biblical covenants, and Christians have another view, but the concept of covenant does not figure much into the theology of either religion. This failure to distinguish between the everlasting covenant and all other covenants indicates that both Jews and Christians assume that their covenant relationship is everlasting and not another lesser covenant which does not last. This is a wrong assumption.
More evidence of confusion about covenants exists within Christianity where we see different opinions about which of the Old/First covenants apply to whom and when they apply. Furthermore, there are Christians that hold to a dual covenant theology which says that the Old/First Covenant applies only to Jews while the New Covenant applies only to gentiles. Since they all base their doctrines on the Bible and on the words of God, it is clear that both religions err in their understanding of God’s idea of covenant. They are confused about who is a part of which covenant, but God is not confused.
STUDY TIP: For articles with lists of covenants developed by other authors, we refer readers to these links:
| ♦ Comparison of Two Biblical Covenants ♦ Covenant: Why the New is Better ♦ The Covenants ♦ The Covenants of Scripture ♦ Dispensationalism Author’s Caution: We offer these links only to give examples of theology about covenant. We agree with very little of what these authors have written. |
If understanding of covenants was easy, we would not find the differences of opinion about covenants in the above articles or in religion in general. If understanding of covenants was easy, both Jews and Christians would give it much more attention than they do. But, since God makes a big deal about covenants, it is prudent for both Jews and Christians to make an effort to understand God’s thinking about them because disobedience to God’s voice has consequences. In fact, we read elsewhere that breaking the covenant with God constitutes treachery, rebellion and sin. It becomes critical, therefore, that people who do not want to be on God’s bad side should want to understand covenants, but only people who can hear God’s voice know which covenant they are following.
Learning about covenants begins with awareness that the Bible is full of opposites that have definite positive or negative values. Here is a short list
Next, it is critical to understand that the concepts in the “Positive” column all refer to the New Covenant, and that concepts in the “Negative” column all refer to an old covenant.
AN ENCOURAGING WORD: Readers to whom this makes sense only know it to be true because they can hear God’s voice.
Before we can appreciate the differences between covenants, we must first understand the law.
STUDY TIP: See The Law andLaw is a Stumbling Block