Biblical Relationships
Understanding Covenant: the Basis of all Relationships
Covenant = “to cut” A solemn agreement, negotiated or unilaterally imposed that binds parties to each other in permanent, defined relationships with specific promises, claims and obligations on both sides. Two types: Parity which is amongst equals and negotiated mutually, suzereignty treaties or treaties of sovereignty which is among non-equals; the greater party sets the conditions and the lesser either accepts them; or rejects them; non-negotiable.
God is a covenant God when he created man He made a covenant with Him in Genenis (Edenic). We are created in God’s image and are therefore created for covenant.
Adam and Eve
Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Matthew 19:5 “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
Joined basically means "cling to" or "stick to," the same word is used in Deuteronomy 11:22 when the Jews were commanded to "stick to" or "hold fast to" the Lord. This was part of their covenant with God. If you remember, when God gave them the Ten Commandments, they made a vow and said, "Yes, we want you to be our God, we’ll do whatever you say." So it was a covenant. Both parties agreed to do what they promised. God promised to take care of them and make them prosper, and they promised to obey him. So when we read here that the husband is to cleave to his wife, it suggests the idea of a covenant. When you take your wedding vows, it’s a covenant. It’s a promise. It’s a deal. You can’t go back on your word. In God’s eyes it’s permanent. You’re stuck with each other. Once you realize that, you’ll be much more willing to work on your marriage than to just give up when it gets difficult.
Jonathan and David
1 Samuel 18:1-4 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
• Jonathan recognized Gods call on David
• Jonathan made a covenant of love with David
• Jonathan gave up his own position to bring David into his purpose
In Biblical Times There Were Nine Steps In The Making of A Covenant:
1. The Exchange of Robes or Garments
1 Sam. 18:3-4 "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle."
"Robe" --- a garment worn over a tunic by men of rank, a garment of the High Priest
Jonathan was saying in effect to David --- "I’m giving you my life; all that I am and all that I have." Jonathan was the Crown Prince, son of King Saul, destined for the throne. From birth he had been trained, schooled, and groomed for Kingship. He had everything to live for, possessions beyond our imagination, money, prestige, and a future to be envied. However, he was ready and willing to give it all away.
2. The Exchange of Belts (Weapons)
1 Sam. 18:4 "And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle."
By giving up his personal weapons of defense, Jonathan was surrendering his ability to defend himself against attack. His entire defense was now in the hands of his "Covenant Friend". He deliberately made himself vulnerable. He also rendered himself incapable of hurting his "Covenant Friend" it was a commitment of utter loyalty holding nothing back. A Covenant does not depend upon the faithfulness of the other person.
3. Exchange of Names
The exchange of names today is what we would call the "Power of Attorney". Each gave to the other the right and authority to use his name as his very own with no restriction or limitation. To act in another’s name is to --- do what they would do --- think like them --- behave like them. The name must never be used flippantly.
4. The "Cutting" of the Covenant
Now that they have exchanged garments, weapons, and names, it is time for the cutting of the Covenant. An animal was chosen, slaughtered by being cut in two down the middle. They would separate the two halves, laying them side By side with just enough room between the two sections to stand in the pool of blood that would quickly form in the middle. Clasping their hands together, they would commit to each other in word similar to these:
"I Choose This Day To Die To Myself And Live To Bless You, My Covenant Partner. I Will Make My Decisions And Order My Life With You In Mind From This Day Forward; Seeking Always What Is Best For You Ahead of Myself."
His friend would repeat the same pledge back to him and then together they would look down at the blood, in which they stood, and say: "May God Do This to Me and More If Aught but Death Part You and Me."
They are saying in effect, “You are my first priority."
5. Mingling of Their Blood
Still standing in the blood, each of them would make a cut on the back of their wrist, then clasp their hands together in such a manner that their blood would mingle. Leviticus tells us that "Life is in the Blood." This is a vitally important part of the covenant making process. It was in this act that every other step was leading up to, the exchange of their very life, they could not tell where one person’s blood ended and the other person’s blood began, their blood, their life had mingled together and become inseparable. As their blood mingled, they committed themselves to the reality that their lives were now one. They could truly say, "My Life and Your Life Are Wrapped up Together, I Don’t Know Where My Life Stops and Yours Begins.” No longer was each a separate individual, they were one life. Their lives could never again be separate any more than you could ever again separate the blood back, one from the other. Now consider the spiritual ramifications for us today. If you took a few drops of your blood and a few drops of your covenant partner’s blood and put into a little cup, can you ever separate them again, no way. That’s how these two lives are supposed to be.
6. Rubbing of Salt and Hyssop into the Cut to Form a Scar
A scar on the wrist that would never fade away, a small cut may heal and vanish away but this scar was to serve as a lifelong reminder of the covenant rights and responsibilities to which they had committed themselves. It may hurt sometimes to keep the covenant, it may cost you something, your own agenda, time, money, possessions etc. The scar took this covenant out of the realm of emotions, feelings and circumstances and into the realm of assurance of a covenant relationship.
7. Speak Aloud the Covenant Terms
While still standing the blood, they would pledge to each other full access to all their assets, property, money, etc. You receive all the other person’s assets, and also his liabilities.
8. Share a Memorial Meal
Once this was completed, they would walk away from the slaughtered animal, wash their feet and sit down to share a memorial meal. The sharing of food has carried spiritual significance since the beginning of time. This was done to celebrate the birth of something new, a new relationship, a wedding, etc this was not even a wedding it was a covenant friend. This was a type of Communion Christians under a covenant relationship. They would break bread together symbolizing and expressing that their lives were permanently entwined.
9. Planting of a Tree
A very young tree would be planted at the place where they had cut the covenant. A tree is a symbol of life, in the Garden of Eden. God’s word is referred to as a Tree of Life Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. Fulfilled desires are referred to as a Tree of Life Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Encouraging words from a friend is referred to as a Tree of Life. It would be sprinkled with some of the blood of the covenant sacrifice. Thus, there were two witnesses to this awesome covenant relationship. As this tree grows and bears fruit, it is a fitting symbol that his relationship was also to grow and bear fruit, to withstand the storms of life and the winds of adversity, becoming even stronger because of them.
Jesus and Us
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. “Therefore the soldiers did these things.
2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
The Son of God loved us with a love more powerful and redemptive than the love of Jonathan for David.
Hebrews 12:24, "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel."
1. The Exchange of Robes or Garments
He left the indescribable beauty and the unspeakable glory of heaven to give us His Robe of Righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,"
Ephesians 4:24 "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Ephesians 4:24 is written in covenant language which the Jews understood far more deeply than we generally do today. Paul was emphasizing that there had been an Exchange of Life. We are now to walk in another man’s garment, taking on His Identity, reflecting His Nature, manifesting His Goodness.
This was what Jesus had in mind when He said: John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
2. The Exchange of Belts (Weapons)
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 "For the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."
As our covenant partner, God Himself, is committed to fight our battles, to be our defense, and preserve us to everlasting life. It is tragic that many born again children of God are unacquainted with this provision of our covenant with God. We continue to live as though we must fight our own battles.
3. Exchange of Names
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
His name is powerful and we as Christians need to understand the power of that name…
4. The "Cutting" of the Covenant
Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
When Jesus cut covenant with us, we received all of His assets and He took all our liabilities.
5. Mingling of Their Blood
John 6:53-54 "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
John 17:26 "And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Jesus has mingled His Blood with us; we have become one with Christ. That’s what the blood of Jesus did for us. This exchange of life is what Jesus came to accomplish.
6. Rubbing of Salt and Hyssop into the Cut to Form a Scar
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
John 20:27-28 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Dr. David Livingston --- African Missionary - while traveling throughout Africa and going into areas where many tribes had not previously seen a white man, David Livingston learned very early in his ministry to cut a covenant with the tribal leader. You see, these tribes understood a lot about Covenants and practiced them, most tribal people do. David Livingston cut covenant with more than 50 Tribal Leaders. Each time he encountered a new tribe, the row of scars on his arm instantly communicated to them that this was not simply one person standing in their presence, but one who was in covenant with hundreds of others tribesmen. They understood that each scar on his arm represented thousands of arrows and spears flying directly at them if they mistreated him in any way. A covenant said that if you are in danger, I will be there to help you.
And that scar would never go away Hebrews 13:5-6 "... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Does this tell you why Jesus still has scars in His Hands?
7. Speak Aloud the Covenant Terms
Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8. Share a Memorial Meal
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, which is a Covenant Meal, we are showing forth the exchanged life that is ours in Christ Jesus.
9. Planting of a Tree
Acts 5:30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
After Jesus celebrated The Covenant Meal, He went out and hung on a tree. From that day forward, the tree, along with the scar on the wrist, was to serve as a permanent reminder of the Covenant.
Hebrews 13:5 "... he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Conclusion: It was after making such a covenant that you could rightly call someone your "Friend". At the Last Supper, Jesus, when He was about to give His life, said in John 15:15 "Henceforth I call you not servants; ..... I have called you friends;"
Abraham is called the "Friend of God" but not until after he had made his Covenant with God. A friend, Biblically, is someone with whom you have a Covenant. “Friendship produces an entire sameness; it is one soul in two bodies: a friend is another self.”
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 "... there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."
Biblically speaking, "Friend" is a very serious and deeply meaningful word; it was not used in that day in the casual manner in which we employ it today.
A "Friend" as biblically understood: Truly loves at all times, is utterly reliable, and unquestionably loyal throughout life.
One Another
Philippians 2:1-8 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
This Is Our Covenant Relationship With God!
Why do you think Paul said?
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body." Paul was appealing to a Covenant Principle.
Ephesians 5:23 "... Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body."
Colossians 1:18 " And he is the head of the body, the church:"
If your relationships are not right in the body, you are not walking in covenant relationship. When you come to communion, you are violating what this meal is all about, covenant with me and with your brothers and sisters.
Psalm 89:30-36 “If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My loving-kindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me;
