A covenant is a bond or agreement which binds two parties in a relationship of trust and obedience. The parties may be of equal or unequal rank. An example of a covenant between equals was the one between David and Jonathan in the Book of Samuel. The covenant between God and Abraham and between God and Israel, are instances of agreements between unequals. In any covenant, whether between equals or not, there are obligations or duties to be carried out by both parties. If it is between equals, there is mutual understanding to help and protect each other. If it is among unequals, the stringer partner who initiates the covenant, promises to protect the interest of the weaker partner in return for his complete loyalty and obedient trust.
Abraham's obedient trust, when God called him to go to an unknown place He would show Him, led God to make a covenant with him. Out of Abraham came the children of Israel, with whom God made another covenant at Mount Sinai in the time of Moses. When the old convenant failed, God promised another convenant; a New convenant. Which fulfilled the intention of the Old Convenant.
Among human beings, the most important relationship is blood relationship. Apart from blood relationship is the covenant relationship. Marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman. Religion is a covenant relationship between God and man. Thus, our relationship with God is a covenant relationship. This relationship is based on love, trust and obedience. Therefore, our knowledge of the covenant relationship teaches us to always have a meaningful relationship with God and Jesus Christ, based on love, trust and obedience.
The Significance of the Call of Abram
By calling Abram, God took the initiative to enter into a new relationship with him, and through him to all mankind. Abram's iimmediate response to the call shows his obedience to the Word of God. Abram's obedience was the result of his Faith in the word of God, and His promises. From the faith expressed by Abram, we learn the significant fact that Faith, if not accompanied by works, has no meaning in the sight of God. By responding to the call, Abram rejected the old life of Mesopotamia for the new life in the promised land. God's promise to punish those who curse Abram means that all those who oppose God's chosen people would be punished. The promise Also shows the universality of God, since all mankind would be blessed through Abram and Hus descendants. On another level, the Call of Abram is significant in that God has not stopped calling people into His service. In other words, God still continues to call people into His service today, just as he called Abram in Old Testament times. God calls people in different ways and in different circumstances into His service. Some are called either through visions, when the person sees Himself or herself being called by God, or through dreams, when the person is asleep. Some are called through a divine message which may come from a man of God. Some are called when something remarkable occur in their lives. When there is deliverance from accident, misfortune or from evil forces, people are known to have ddedicated themselves thereafter to the services of God. God can also call us through our training or education. By virtue of his training, a doctor for example may feel himself called by God to help reduce the suffering of people in the world.
As we grow up, God will call us to His service. In whatever form, or in whatever circumstances the call comes, we are to make immediate response to the call and thereafter dedicate our lives to the service of God. With such dedication in faithfulness and obedient trust, we will be helping to make the world a far better place to live in than before.
Things to learn
A. Abram's positive response to God's call shows obedient faith.
B. Faith and obedience are very important in our relationship with God.
C. Faith if not accompanied by works has no meaning in God's sight
