BERITH - COVENANT

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 31: 31 (NIV)

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INTRODUCTION

The Bible is a book full of amazing personal accounts and miraculous deliverances, and deeds. It also contains the accounts of all the covenants established between God and people. The Hebrew word for covenant is berith. It can also mean “treaty”, “league”, but usually depicts a “promise”, a “pledge”. 

A berit is a unilateral voluntary promise given by God to people He intends to uphold until it is all finished and fulfilled. 

BERITH - COVENANT

The Bible, the best-selling book in the world, has been translated into over two thousand different languages. It is the most well-known book, yet may be the least read nowadays. 

The Bible holds historical accounts and personal stories of the Hebrew patriarchs, with the teachings and instructions as to how to live our lives. Even more so, it is a book of covenants—covenants between God and people, from the Noahide, Abrahamic, Davidic, to the eventual New Covenant. 

The Hebrew word often translated into English as covenant is berith. The word can also mean “treaty” and “league”, but usually means something closer to “promise” or “pledge”. God made a promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other Hebrew patriarchs. The promise was made unilaterally and entirely voluntarily. (2, 3)

COVENANT VS CONTRACT

We live in a world where new contracts are being drafted up and signed as we speak. Secular covenants are very similar in nature to contracts. Per Merriam-Webster Dictionary, they are defined as “ a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action”. It describes a bilateral agreement that binds both parties only by the terms of the covenant or agreement. (4)

A Biblical berith (covenant) is, however, undertaken unilaterally without the participation of the recipients of the promise. In other words, Abraham was simply selected. God will uphold His promise no matter what. (3)

FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW

There were several covenants established in the ancient past. The first major one that impacts all humans and animals was the Noahide covenant. This covenant was a covenant that promised that the earth and heaven would remain steady until all is finished. (5)

Then came the Abrahamic promise, given to the descendants of Abraham. This promise stated that God will remain Israel’s God for all eternity and that He gives them the Promised Land forever to keep. God then at Sinai gave Israel the Mosaic covenant. This covenant is similar to a ketubah; it is a vassal treaty between God as husband and King, and His people as the bride. It is a covenant of “blessing and cursing”. Part of this covenant is also the promise that He will never destroy them and bring them back home after they repent and return to Him. (5)

Afterward came the Davidic covenants and others, and despite it all, it is well documented that all men have fallen short of God’s glory. The just and righteous God that despises sin and does not tolerate it is also the forgiving Father who refused to give up on humanity. He promised long ago in Jeremiah 31: 31 (NIV) that, ““The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.”” This New Covenant was given through the crucifixion of the Messiah. (5)

The covenants established later do not remove the older covenants already given. After all, none of God’s words ever return void to Him. (5) 

YESHUA - THE GATHERER OF THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL

Yeshua promised to gather all the Lost Sheep of Israel back home. That means all the 12 tribes are destined to eventually return to their Promised Land. Revelation confirms it so. He is the God Shepherd whose voice the sheep hear and follow. And He will lose not even one. 

CONCLUSION

The Bible contains amazing accounts of miraculous deeds, personal stories, teaching moments, and deliverances. It also contains God’s faithful promises - covenants - He has given to all men and to Israel. The Hebrew word usually translated as covenant is berith. Unlike the secular covenant, which tends to be a bilateral agreement, the Biblical berith speaks of an unilateral and voluntary promise given by God to His people. It is a promise he intends to keep no matter what. 

Several covenants have been given over centuries and millennia, from the Noahide, Abrahamic, Mosaic, to the New covenant and others. The newly established covenants do not break the former promises already given, nor do they abolish them. God is not a liar. If He promised, He will fulfill.

Application

Dwell on the promises God has given to you or apply to you today, and write down what comes to your mind. 

SOURCES

1. Image created via canva.com

2. Bible Hub. Berith. Available at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1285.htm

3. Jewish Virtual Library. Jewish Concepts: Berit. Available at https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/berit#google_vignette

4. Meriam-Webster Dictionary. Covenant. Available at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covenant

5. Hendrikson Publishers: The Complete Jewish Study Bible. Available at https://shorturl.at/sPsc2