There is more meaning in covenant than a mere agreement.
Genesis 17:1-2 – And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus said that where two believers agree (make a symphony) on earth (in this life) as touching anything (within the will of God) they shall ask (this is not one party speaking and the other nodding his head), it shall be (no stronger word of absolute purpose than the words “shall” or “will”) done for them of My Father which is in heaven (God WILL do it). He added that in His Name, He would be in the midst of any two or three who gathered in such an agreement. (parenthetical insertions are mine)
When God came to Abram to establish His covenant, He required of Abram, who became Abraham by God’s command, blood. Abraham had to circumcise himself, as well as every other make in his household, and from that day forward, every male born into his household when they were eight days old. Because God could not at that moment offer His Own blood, He used the blood of an animal (sheep, goat, ram, dove, oxen) as a substitute for His blood until Jesus came, the Word made flesh, and could shed His blood once, for all. But from the very beginning of God’s covenant with Abraham, it was not just God and Abraham involved in that covenant. There were four parties directly involved in that covenant. Allow me to explain so we can better understand covenant.
God the Father came to Abraham, calling him “father of nations.” This was a Father-to-father encounter. Years later, when Isaac was likely a teen, or even a young man, Father told father Abraham to take Isaac to Moriah (Calvary, or Golgotha), build an altar, slay Isaac, and burn him. He also showed Abraham in a vision Isaac being raised from the dead. Remember, the plan of salvation, that is the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus was already God’s plan, and Jesus was already a willing participant. But for Jesus to have legal entry into the earth to become that sacrifice, there had to be a covenant partner who was willing to do the same thing. That was Isaac, raised by his father to be an obedient son, honoring God and the covenant. Because Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, God could legitimately sacrifice His Son. And because Isaac was fully compliant with Abraham, and willing to be sacrificed, Jesus could do the same thing. And He did. You see, covenant demands mutual engagement in every arena. Unless all parties are in agreement, the covenant will not work. Thank God for father Abraham and Isaac. Selah!
Manna for Today – Genesis 17; Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; Luke 21:33; Romans 3:4; Hebrews 1:3
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 