Teaching: Covenant as a Binding Promise

• God’s First Covenant — Rainbow (Genesis 9:8-13)

  • He will not destroy earth again. Instead He will come to save the world.

  • From earth, the rainbow is shaped like a bow, pointing up into heaven

  • From space, the rainbow is a circle (Ring)

  • Symbolism of the Ring

    • Chosen-ness — Belonging to someone

    • Never-ending — circle has no beginning or ending

• Later Covenants

  • God’s promise to Abraham — Make you into a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3)

  • God’s promise to Moses — I will be your God and you will be my people (Exodus 24)

  • Jesus’s promise to His disciples — “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)

• Betrothal Covenant

  • A couple might very well meet for the first time at their betrothal

  • There was a lot of trust involved, that family members have been careful in their choosing this match for you

  • Male family members arranged the conditions of the contract (Ketubah)

    • Bride Price (Paid to bride’s family)

    • Bride Gifts (Given to the bride, often as a form of security in case the husband is ever unable to provide for her)

  • Woman had the final say

  • Once accepted, the betrothal was binding and required a divorce