The Covenant Connection Unveiling the Heart of the Nazarene-Messianic Faith - Part 1 in our Covenant Series
Shalom Truth-Seekers in Yeshua Messiah. This is the first installment in a series of detailed teaching on the Hebrew concept of “covenant” (or “Berit”) and its foundational role in the faith and salvation of God’s (i.e. Yehovah’s) chosen ones. In this installment we introduce the Hebrew concept of covenant by exploring the term’s meaning. We also emphasize its significance as a sacred, legally binding relationship between Yehovah (God) and His chosen people, Yisra’el/Yasharal, with its physical and spiritual implications for all humanity. The teaching critiques denominational misunderstandings and highlights covenant's Torah roots and its wider scriptural (i.e. both Tanach and Brit HaDashah) importance. Introduction to the Covenant Series We begin by recalling a previous post on Genesis 12:3. The title of that post is: Does "I Will Bless Those Who Bless and Curse Those Who Curse," Apply to the Modern Nation of Israel? (If you’ve not had the opportunity to listen to or read that post, we humbly invite you to do so by clicking this link https://www.themessianictorahobserver.org/2025/06/28/does-i-will-bless-those-who-bless-and-curse-those-who-curse-apply-to-the-modern-nation-of-israel/) In that post we clarified that the verse is not a command to bless the modern nation-state of Israel. But rather the verse is a prescriptive covenant provision. This provision states that those who treat God’s chosen people, according to Torah principles, receive Yah’s favor, while those who mistreat them face divine harm. And thus, covenant is central to God’s relationship with His covenant people, Israel/Yisra’el/Yasharal. And it was that post that has prompted this covenant teaching series. In this series, we will explore the refined and broader principles of covenant that link it to God’s/Yah’s Grand Plan of Salvation, Restoration, and Redemption through the Person and Ministries of Yeshua HaMashiyach. Also in this post, we stress that denominational Christianity often fails to grasp the true Hebrew concept of covenant's significance because of their overall rejection of Torah and Hebraic principles. Because of denominationalism’s wholesale rejection of Torah and Hebraic principles, they fail to recognize that the covenant is the sole pathway to a true relationship with God/Yehovah. That God-human relationship was established originally with Abraham and came to its fullest realization in the Person and Ministries of Yeshua Messiah. We will see that faithfulness to Torah and covenant obedience are essential for salvation and entry into the Kingdom of Heaven (Mat 7.22-23). Understanding the Hebrew Concept of Covenant Covenant, or "Berit" (in Hebrew), is a set apart, legally binding relational agreement between God/Yehovah and His chosen people. (Later on in this series we will see that Yah’s chosen people are not limited to just the biological descendants of Avraham, Yitschaq, and Ya’achov.) But covenant frames the established relationship between God and His chosen ones with rules/behavioral expectations, obligations, and promises. Secularists may view a covenant much like a contract. But we will see as we delve deeper into the covenant Yah established/cut with His chosen ones that the concept of covenant is deeper. It’s akin to a marriage-like partnership that is characterized by love, grace, and mercy. Both parties of the relational covenant agreement are bound to uphold the tenets of the established covenant. But God’s faithfulness ensures the covenant’s integrity, even when the covenant’s human-signatory to the covenant, fail to keep their end of the covenant agreement. This faithfulness on God’s/Yehovah’s part is an immutable trait of God. Moseh described this character trait accordingly: “Yehovah/God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man (i.e. a human being) that He should repent (i.e. change His mind). Has He said and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not establish it?” (Numbers 23:19; LSB) The covenant (sometimes referred to as a blood covenant) is solemnly "cut" or established through an ancient middle eastern ritual that involves animal sacrifices. This bloody, solemn act symbolizes the serious and binding nature of the agreement (Gen 15). The Hebrew word "Berit" pictographically combines elements representing family, leadership, work, and consent. These elements underscore the covenant’s relational and purposeful dimensions. Key Biblical Covenants We furthermore outline the five major expansions of Yah’s covenant with His chosen ones: The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 6 and 9) The Patriarchal Covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12, 15, 17) The National Covenant given through Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19-24) The Davidic Covenant with King David (2 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah) The New or Renewed Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26-38) Each covenant expansion reveals aspects of God’s/Yah’s immutable character and the love He has for His set apart people. These expansions include expectations Yah for His covenant people. These expansions of covenant shape Israel’s identity and sacred mission on the earth. The Commonness and Uniqueness of Covenants While covenants were common in the ancient Near East, often understood by scholars as treaties that various kings established with their vassals, the Hebrew covenant is unique. For we find that it is initiated solely by God acting from a position of sovereignty. God/Yah offers to His chosen ones a non-negotiable invitation to enter into a relationship with Him that is based on grace and love. Humans may accept or reject that invitation, but they cannot alter the terms of that covenant. Why? Because it is God/Yah Who carries the covenant’s weight. Not from a position of subjugating His people, but from an expression of His desire for loving communion with His people. The covenant is thus a sacred bond with rules that both parties must honor. Those who accept the terms of the covenant commit to loving God (and loving God/Yah comes through faithful obedience to Him) and loving one another (Luk 10:27). The prophet Jeremiah’s words to the Babylonian captives illustrate God’s faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel’s failures (chapter 29). Because of Yah’s steadfastness to His Covenant, He promises Judah restoration and a future of peace. Greek Understanding of Covenant and Terminology In this teaching we also contrast the Hebrew "Berit" with the Greek "diatheke" that is used in the New Testament and in the LXX/Septuagint. While "diatheke" can refer to a “will” or “testament,” the Greek version of covenant does not capture the rich spiritual depth of the Hebrew, which involves an enduring, intimate relationship that has far-reaching implications for humanity’s salvation. Varying Definitions of Covenant We list several scholarly definitions for covenant, some of which emphasize covenant as an alliance, compact, treaty, or sacred kinship bonds. The Hebrew understanding of covenant, however, centers on relationship, promises, and expectations established uniquely by God/Yehovah with Israel/Yisra’el/Yasharal. Conclusion We conclude our discussion by emphasizing the necessity of understanding covenant from a Hebrew perspective that is rooted in Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. A Greek-only or New Testament-only view limits comprehension of this critical concept and the one that embraces it from that Greek perspective risks missing the covenant’s full significance for individual believers and the collective identity of Israel. The covenant remains the foundation for humanity’s salvation and our entry into the Kingdom of God (i.e. the Malchut Ahlohim).
New Zealand