bloodcovenant by by mindena spurling

The Blood Covenant

By Mindena Spurling

Mindena Spurling - ‘The Blood Covenant’

Copyright Reserved 2013, Mindena Spurling,

The Shepherd’s Fold, Winthrop Western Australia.

Refer www.theshepherdsfold.com.au

Acknowledgements

Unless otherwise stated Scriptures are from New International Version (NIV) is © The

Zondervan Corporation

http://www.theshepherdsfold.com.au/


Table of Contents

Preface ............................................................................................ 4

Introduction ................................................................................... 5

Blood covenant .............................................................................. 6

Origins of Blood Covenants .......................................................... 8

The Three Main Characteristics of a Covenant are: .......................... 9

God’s 9 Covenants .......................................................................... 10

1. The New (ultimate) Covenant of Jesus...................................... 21

The importance of Blood in the old covenant ................................ 25

The Blood of Jesus: ......................................................................... 26

Other Covenants ............................................................................ 27


25 March 2011

The Blood Covenant By Mindena Spurling

Preface This article has been written in response to many pleas from a friend to teach her

about the Blood Covenant, that we all possess when we choose to accept God’s plan

for our salvation through the shed blood of His son, our Lord Jesus .

I make no claim for originality. The truths I am affirming here are not my own work

nor have they been exclusively revealed to me by the graciousness of God ! This

article, almost in it’s entirety, has been the re-wording of those great men and

women of faith from ages past. I am indebted to the works of E.W. Kenyon, “The

Blood Covenant” (published by Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing Society).

Also, Kenneth Copeland, the “Blood Covenant” series of talks.

Also, the best- selling book by Richard Booker, “The miracle of the scarlet thread”.

(Published 1981, by Sounds of the Trumpet, Inc.).

I also refer the reader to the work of Don Richardson – “Eternity in their hearts”.

The Christian authors, Maxwell Whyte, Benny Hinn, and Andrew Murray, have all

written books entitled “The power of the blood”, which would be educational for

learning about the resurrection power of the blood of Jesus.

Lastly, I am indebted to all the bible school teachers at Riverview Church, in Perth,

Western Australia, whose faces are before me, but whose names I have forgotten! I

want to single out in particular, The Reverend Jane Lloyd, a gifted and anointed

teacher of the Word of God. If she is not a Reverend, she is certainly revered!

If I have inadvertently breached any copyright material, I offer my apologies. I direct

any readers of this article back to the original authors as mentioned above for

confirmation and clarification of points addressed in this article.

Obviously, personal observation, anecdotes, and experiences are my own.


Introduction In this article I hope to impart in a small, simple way, the POWER, and the

REALITY, of the blood covenant. I want to do this by re-iterating some of the books

and tapes as mentioned above, and underscoring those points by my own

experiences.

Firstly, we need to know and understand what a Blood Covenant is. Its obligations,

its rights, and mutual benefits. Who does what, and to whom? I will also offer a few

practical examples, as in the story of Dr. Livingston in Africa, and the story of the

modern day missionary in Melbourne, Australia.

We need to explore its historical roots and beginnings to grasp its significance.

We will also look at the spiritual elements, both under the old covenant, and the new

covenant that came into effect with Jesus’ death and resurrection.

A brief glance at the covenants of protection, healing, and prosperity.

Lastly, we will look at the covenant relationship that is called, marriage.

The question then remains, does it have any relevance today? My own experiences

lead me to deduce that ABSOLUTELY it does! I would like to back up those

experiences with scripture where relevant.

I do not expect any readers to share my views, nor necessarily to get “converted”,

(although obviously I hope it will!) I offer this teaching material to hopefully give the

modern un-tutored Christian lay-person (those who have not been to bible school or

seminaries) an inkling of what the Blood Covenant is about, and to encourage them

to study the Word, and any relevant publications for themselves.

Just a passing thought, maybe even ask God the Holy Spirit for divine revelation of

the Blood Covenant to you?! !


Blood covenant A brief explanation and overview of what a blood covenant actually is.

It is a binding agreement, usually between two parties, to help each other, share

common property, and support each other, through thick and thin. Even at the

expense of one-self, to give sacrificially, if necessary. It is saying, in effect, “all that I

have is yours, and all you have is mine, ask of me and I will do it, I will take care of

you, support you, even if it costs me dearly, even I have to lay down my life for you”.

To support the idea of sacrificial giving, readers may be interested in the story that

the Christian author, E.W.Kenyon, shares in his book about the blood covenant. It

concerns the missionary, Dr. Livingston, who in his travels to Africa, trying to

convert the native population to Christianity, encountered not only opposition, but

open hostility and setbacks in his work there. He was advised to ‘cut the covenant’

with the chieftain of that region. After deliberating for quite some time over this

matter, perhaps he considered himself a modern man, above all this nonsense! He

finally gave in, and proceeded with the lengthy ritual with the chief. We will look at

the steps of the ceremony in a minute.

Livingston possessed at the time a goat, whose milk he needed for medicinal

purposes. The chief took a fancy to the goat, and Livingston was obliged to give it to

him. In exchange, the chief gave Livingston his ceremonial staff (of office). Perhaps

Livingston was a bit put out by that? A ceremonial stick in exchange for a goat was

not, perhaps in Livingston’s eyes, a good bargain? However, when he went out and

about on his travels, when the locals saw this staff, they could not do enough for him.

They welcomed him with open arms, every door was opened, and gave all they could

to assist him. Converting the locals after that was a breeze. They could all relate to a

God who was willing to ‘cut the covenant’ with mankind, who was willing to give and

sacrifice His only Son, for the sake of the great love He had for them. Livingston

might not have been able to get them to see the finer points of denominational

Christianity, but he had their attention when it came to ‘covenant rights’!

The steps involved two young men from each group, representing the chief and

Livingstone, in front of everybody, cutting their arms until their blood ran. They then

rubbed their arms together until their blood nixed. In some cultures, blood is mixed

in a cup, then each representative would drink some of it.

The terms and conditions were read out, blessings pronounced, and curses

pronounced if the terms were broken. Oaths were sworn, that each person involved

in the covenant understood and would abide by the terms and conditions.

Gifts were also exchanged, Livingston got the staff, and the chief got the goat.

Commemorative stones, trees, or plaques, are also planted or set up. Lastly, everyone

was invited to a banquet.


Remember in the scriptures God saying “I will prepare a table for you in the midst of

your enemies”? So that everyone can see that you are now in covenant partnership

with God!

Readers may also remember Jesus telling his disciples “This is my blood of the new

covenant” as the wine was poured and everybody drank of it.

Another story that illustrates the idea of everything you possess belongs to your

covenant partner, and vice versa, of course,( even at the expense of yourself),

concerns a story told to me by Pastor David Lloyd. His uncle was a missionary in the

early part of the 20thcentury, perhaps in the 1930-40’s, in the islands of the South

Seas, in the land of the head hunters! David’s uncle, in order to help convert the

native population, had, like Dr. Livingston, ‘cut a covenant’ with the local chief. In it,

they had sworn to help each other and their respective families. After a period of

time, when the uncle’s term of office in that region had expired, he went home to

Melbourne, the capitol city of the state of Victoria. Many years later, perhaps 20,

there was a knock at the front door. When he answered it, there stood the chief’s

daughter! She had come to study in Melbourne, and was expecting accommodation,

and for him to take care of her, as though she was his own daughter. Which of course

he did! He didn’t want to get on the bad side of head hunters! Not only that, when

eventually he passed away, she apparently, inherited the house! (Not sure if there

were any other family members, perhaps a widow or children involved. It could

perhaps lead to a sticky situation). She could perhaps be still living there, for all we

know?!


Origins of Blood Covenants A covenant seems to be a God –ordained idea, (as most things are), and to have its

origins almost in pre-history, as it is mentioned almost at the beginning of scripture.

It is the basis of all primitive religions, and most modern day street gangs. Some

crime organisations also have covenants, e.g. The Cosa Nostra (Mafia). As the

shedding of blood is involved in a covenant agreement, it is also a requirement for

joining the Mafia. To become a ‘made’ man, involves killing someone, perhaps a

purely innocent person, or possibly someone from a rival gang, as a mark and sign of

allegiance to the Mafia. This covenant also has dire consequences for breaking the

covenant, i.e. informing to the police. Informing is considered to be breaking that

covenant agreement, and will be punishable by instant death, if caught.

However, for the most part we will look at the religious aspect of covenants.

The Hebrew word for Covenant is ‘to cut’. It has the suggestion of blood flowing.

We find that Abraham ‘cut the covenant’ with his neighbours before he entered into a

covenant with God.

There are 3 main reasons for cutting a covenant:

Preservation or protection

Security, especially in business contacts, and dealings, or a marriage alliance

between two powerful kingdoms

Love – eg. David and Jonathon, Damon and Pythias

God is not only a covenant MAKING God, but also a covenant KEEPING God, and a

covenant ENABLING God.


The Three Main Characteristics of a Covenant are: 1 – It contains conditions and responsibilities, blessings, and curses if the terms and

conditions are broken .Let’s be very clear about this one point, a covenant is not just

a solemn promise. I’m sure people have every intention of keeping a solemn promise,

but life and circumstances get in the way, and they break the contract some years

down the track! (eg, a marriage contract or covenant). We will discuss aspects of this

fascinating subject of the marriage contract, and it’s ramifications at a later point).

Indeed, a covenant, or blood oath, is the most solemn and legally binding agreement

a person can make, it is not to be entered into lightly, and there are the most awful,

dire, and deadly consequences for breaking it, even down to the third and fourth

generation. Yes, if you break that covenant, the other parties involved in the covenant

have the right to hunt not only you down and kill you, but also your children and

your children’s children It is indeed life and death stuff, not to be entered into by the

faint-hearted! It can and does have significant and possibly wonderful benefits for

both parties involved. Most people, even non- Christians have heard of the term,

blood brother, this is the true meaning and implication of it all.

2 – It involves the shedding of blood

3 – As a visible reminder of the terms of the contract, there is a sign, a seal (perhaps

the King’s signet ring), or possibly some other token of the covenant

The terms of a covenant are eternal, IRREVOCABLE, and everlasting.

It is important to note that God’s ultimate purpose of a covenant was the redemption

of the human race from its fallen state.

God knew that men would break the covenant, and His purpose was to redeem men

from sin and to restore communion and fellowship with Him.


God’s 9 Covenants

There are 9 covenants God made, with each covenant that God initiated He revealed

a little more about Himself.

1. The First Covenant – Creation covenant

The Creation covenant was initiated by God before man existed. The purpose of

creation was to prepare the earth for man. Every act of creation was to make this

planet habitable for man.

Jer. 33: 20- 25

God had covenanted to create day and night – this reflects the unchangeable

character of God’s nature and emphasises that God has an immutable bond with His

creation under His sovereign administration.

Gen. 8:22 – this affirms God’s covenant with creation. He is a God of order.

Gen 8:22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,

summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

2. The Edenic covenant

The Garden of Eden reveals God’s original purpose for man in creation, which was to

fellowship intimately with Him.

Gen. 1: 26 – 27

“Then God said” Let Us make man in our own image”.

Man is an eternal spiritual being, just like God. Man is also TRIPARTIED – spirit,

soul, and body. He is also a moral being, with intelligence, perception, and self

determination.

Man also reflects God as a social, or community being. God is a Trinity, lives in a

community, and made man to live in a community.

Gen. 1: v 26 – God delegated dominion and authority over His creation to man.

Gen 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,

so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the

livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along

the ground."


When Adam sinned, he gave this authority to Satan. Jesus took this authority back

from Satan, when at His crucifixion, He went down to Hell, defeated Satan, and

made a public spectacle of him and his cohorts.

When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, He gives us back our authority and dominion

over Satan.

Gen. 1 v28 – the author and bible teacher, Marilyn Hickey suggests that man was to

subdue Satan.

Gen 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in

number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds

in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

When God created creation and man, it was good. No pain, no tears, no want, no lack

of any good thing, no depression, no despair, it was a good place to be alive.

Gen. 2: v21 – when God took one of Adam’s ribs to create Eve – this was the

shedding of blood required under the Edenic covenant.

The spear that pierced Jesus’ side on the cross was the shedding of blood required for

the bride of Christ – the church.

When a virgin’s hymen is broken on her wedding night is the shedding of blood

required to show that this is a covenant agreement.

More on this interesting topic a little later.

Gen. 2: v 16 – the Tree of Life – was a sign or seal of the Edenic covenant – which

gave them eternal life.

When they sinned it was taken away from them.

The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a curse – because if they ate of it they

would surely die.

Adam and Eve in God’s perfect creation were clothed in God’s glory, but after they

sinned the old Edenic covenant was broken, He had to initiate a new covenant.

3 –The Adamic covenant

Gen. 3 v 14-19 –lists the curses God pronounced on the serpent for deceiving Eve, on

Eve for listening to the serpent instead of God, thereby disobeying God, and finally

on Adam, for listening to his wife, instead of to God’s instructions.

Gen 3:14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.


Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Gen 3:16 To the woman he said, "I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

Gen 3:17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. Gen 3:18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

In v 15 we have the first Messianic prophesy (the Messiah is coming!) in the Old

Testament.

And we have God’s word (Gen.3 v15 - He will crush your head), that Jesus would

come (in popular terms) to ‘smash Satan’s head in” for what Satan did to us!!

Col. 2 v 15

Col 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

The first messianic prophesy is called the PROTOEVANGELION.

Gen. 3: 21

Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

After Adam and his wife were forced to leave the Garden of Eden, God made clothes

of the skins of animals for them. This was a covering of their sin and shame, which

they had tried to cover up themselves with fig leaves, but their own efforts were

totally inadequate. God had to make a temporary covering for them until the perfect

offering (Jesus) came along. It involved the shedding of blood, and it involved an

innocent animal being slaughtered (Jesus was also that innocent lamb that was

slaughtered, His blood was shed for us – this is all covenant stuff – the shedding of

blood).

The bible reminds us that ‘without the shedding of blood there is no remission for

sin’.

Incidentally, the skin covering that God had provided was always a constant

reminder of the emotional pain Adam and Eve would have experienced as all the


animals in the Garden of Eden were friends. Adam and Eve would have known each

animal by name.

The skins were a sign, or token, of the covenant. It was a sign of the promised

covering of sin that Jesus would provide. If God had not protected and preserved

them they would have been lost.

Gen. 3:7

Gen 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

4; The Noahic covenant

Sin had now been unleashed into the world, and struck through their children.

Gen. 4:2

Gen 4:2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

Abel was a keeper of sheep

Cain was a tiller of the ground

Abel offered a blood sacrifice –a lamb, which was the first fruit, or tithe.

Cain only offered the fruit of the ground, he did not bring an animal as a blood

sacrifice.

(Author’s note: They both offered of what they had, and did, as a profession. What

would have made Cain’s offering more acceptable to God? Did Cain not ask God “ I

only have the fruit of the ground, what can I bring You as an offering? Did God see

into Cain’s heart, and see it was full of arrogance and self- righteousness?)

They both understood God’s nature and covenant obligations. Cain’s refusal to obey

God’s revealed command surely was rebellion.

Cain was very angry when God rejected his offering.

Gen 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? Gen 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it."

Gen 4:10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.


4: v 6 & 7 Shows that Cain knew that he was doing the wrong thing.

Abel was in covenant relationship with God, and his blood called out to God from the

ground, when Cain killed his brother and shed Abel’s blood.

4: v 10 “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground”.

To be in right relationship with God is a matter of life or death (then, as now).

Gen.8 v 20 The shedding of blood was the covering for sin, v 21 tells us that the smell

of blood was the soothing aroma to God, not the smell of the roasting meat of the

slain animals.

Gen 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. Gen 8:21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

V21 God did not add to the curses already in existence.

Gen 5: v 5 Adam lived to be 930 years old

Gen 5:5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

The bible seems to indicate that as more and more sin by succeeding generations

polluted the atmosphere and earth, man’s lifespan gradually decreased.

Gen.6: v 5-8 Wickedness was great on earth, God was sorry He had made man. The

only one who found favour with God was Noah, however, Noah and his family were

not free from sin.

Gen. 6 v 14 God instructed Noah to build a boat – an ark. According to one

authority it took 100 years to build. When Noah built the ark there would be fresh

hope on earth, that hope was REDEMPTION.

Gen. 6: v 18 First reference to the word –Covenant- in the bible, God says “I will

establish My covenant with you”.

Gen.7: v 12 Noah had never seen rain before, he received that word from God with

FAITH in God’s ability to make this happen. It was apparently the first time it had

rained on earth, before that Gen:2 v6 says a mist went up on the earth and watered

the whole face of the ground, ( to give it a good soaking, I suppose?).

Gen.7: v 9 The animals went in two by two towards Noah. At this stage animals had

no fear of humans.


After the flood, v11 tells us that never again would God flood the earth, and v13 says

that the rainbow (which appears after a rain-shower) would be a constant reminder

of God’s promise.

(Rev.4 v 3 mentions a rainbow around the throne of God, and Rev.10 v 1, around the

head of a mighty Angel).

Gen,9: v2 God says that now animals would live in fear of humans and that man now

has permission to eat flesh from the beasts of the earth, birds of the air, and fish from

the sea. In fact, everything that moves will be food for man, v 4 (except for animals

that still have their lifeblood in them, although I am not sure that this last point

applies to us who live under a new and better covenant?).

V4 Blood was only to be used as a sin offering, a sin propitiation.

Author’s note: Does this mean that even under the terms of the New (and better)

Covenant established by the blood of the Lamb of God, we are still only to eat Jewish

Kosher , or Islamic Halal meat?

V5 says if you kill a man, you are answerable to God. Man is made in God’s own

image, if you kill a man (shed his blood needlessly), are you in a way killing God? You

are at least treating God, and His potential punishment, very lightly. God says, “Be

very sure of one thing, I am going to DEMAND an accounting”. V6 would perhaps

indicate a case for capitol punishment. Man is to act as God’s agent in the

punishment of murder.

Is. 11: v 6-9 This symbolic picture stems from the earth being full with the knowledge

of God in the Messianic age. “The wolf shall lie down with the lamb,,,”, and man’s

fellowship with the animals shall be restored.

Hosea 2: v 18 A covenant will be made with animals, birds, etc., they would no

longer threaten human safety. The bow, sword, and battle, would also be abolished,

so that” all may lie down in safety”.

The hidden factor between every covenant God makes is Redemption. He always

makes provision for man’s inability to honour his part of the covenant. (How sweet of

God is that!).

The Noahic covenant has all the 3 hallmarks of a covenant,

1 – The words and promises, blessings and curses.

2 – The shedding of blood, (v20)

3 – Signs, seals, tokens, (i.e. the rainbow).


5; The Abrahamic Covenant.

Abraham was a descendant of Shem, from Ur, who was living in Horan.

Gen.18 v9 tells us that God choose Abraham because he could command his family

and household (he was firmly in charge of them).

Gen.12 v.1 Abraham was separated from his idolatrous household. God wanted to

recreate a new line of man from which Jesus would come, and who was the

culmination and consummation of the Abrahamic covenant.

Gen. 17 God has set a precedent and that this is His covenant. It was the first time

God said “ I am ALMIGHTY God, El Shaddai, or the great breasted one (THE one

providing all the nourishment and sustenance required for life).

God changed Abram’s name to Abra-H-am. The name Abram means ‘Patriarch’, or

“{High Father”, but Abraham, means Fathering a multitude, or many nations. Every

time Abraham said or used his name he was confessing his faith in God’s promise.

Covenant partners would often change, or make additions, to their name. Even now,

professional ladies who marry often add their husband’s name to their own.

When we are “born again”, when we become Christians, we change our name to

“Christian” (little Christs).

Gen.17 v10 talks about the sign, or seal, of the Abraham-ic covenant, which was the

rite of circumcision. Two significant factors in this, are the cutting away of the

foreskin, spoke of cutting away the fleshly dependence, and depending on God’s

provision. The foreskin touched on the very point of propagation. In the East, a

man’s prosperity rested in his sons. So, a man’s future welfare lay with his sons, but

by cutting away the flesh, God was in effect saying, “don’t rely on your own efforts to

provide for your future, but rely on Me”.

Gen,22, v. 81 Speaks of Yashid, the only son, which was a correlation between Jesus

and Isaac.

In Hebrews 11, we find that Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, because he

believed that God could and would raise him from the dead. Abraham had just gone

through the most awe inspiring profound experience with the living God , where God

had spoken to him and declared His allegiance to Abraham, and then proceeded to

go through a mind boggling covenant ceremony with him. There was smoke and fire,

there was the smell of the roasting meat, there was the glory of God, probably a host

of angels, as well. Abraham was quite overcome, he collapsed at the momentousness

of it all. No wonder Abraham believed God was capable of anything, even raising

Abraham’s son! God enlarged the covenant because of Abraham’s great faith in

God. Incidentally, according to local tradition, Mount Moriah, the place where

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, was also the site of Calvary, where God

offered up His only son.


We find a lot of coincidences, or types of, or shadows of things, in the bible, and in

the world of faith, Again, according to local traditions,, and just digressing a little bit

here, when the late dictator, Saddam Hussein, died, the news casters reported that

he was born and died in the area that was reputed to be the site of the original

Garden of Eden. It is of great interest to me personally, because of an interesting

experience I had whilst watching the news, and doing some domestic chores, namely,

the ironing!

The same newscast also featured Hussein, shortly before his death, speaking in his

native tongue. His voice contained such a savage and menacingly deep growl, almost

like the devil himself speaking, if voices by themselves could kill that would

definitely have done it! I instinctively glanced up in time to see the written

translation of his words on the t v screen. It contained such a blasphemous and

vitriolic hatred of Jesus and Christianity, it really seemed to me at the time to be the

voice of the devil himself and using Saddam Hussein as his tool. Do I think that

Saddam Hussein was the Antichrist, or the devil himself? The answer is, No, to both

questions. But, as God uses us as His agents here on earth, I think it’s highly likely

the devil has his agents, too. The correlation between the reputed site of the Garden

of Eden and the voice of possibly, the devil, is very interesting.

In Gen. 22 v16 God swore by Himself to keep the covenant, this was unbreakable.

The strength of the Abrahamic covenant makes it special, until Jesus came, of course.

In Ex 32 v11, Moses pleads with God for the lives of the Israelites.

In Ex 2 v 23 God remembers His covenant.

Gen.18 v 25 Abraham pleads with God for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

When we pray and intercede with God for a particular situations, or people, we must

always intercede in line with God’s character and covenant.

After the Abrahamic covenant, God sought to give the Israelites a divine standard of

righteousness.

He then initiated and gave them the Mosaic covenant, its purpose was to show the

Israelites their inability to obey Him, apart from His grace. Gal.3 v 23 says that the

Law (Mosaic law) was a guard, and a tutor (a schoolmaster).

6. The Mosaic covenant

The Mosaic covenant consists of;

Moral law


Civil law, dealing with daily living and social structure, eg., washing, cleaning.

Ceremonial law, governing their relationship with God, and other people.

Under ceremonial law there were 7 feasts, and 5 offerings, all involved

multiple blood sacrifices.

The 7 feasts were;

1. Passover

2. Unleavened bread

3. 1st Fruits

4. Weeks (Pentecost) or Harvest

5. Trumpets

6. Day of Atonement

7. Tabernacles (or Booths)

5 offerings were;

1. Burnt Offerings for personal consecration, see Lev. 6, v22

2. Peace Offering, which celebrated peace meal eaten by the priests and the

people, Deut.12, v18, and Deut. 16, v11.

3. Sin Offering, which was for restitution of offences against God, eg, Num.15

v30.

4. Trespass offering, for the restitution of offences against God and man,

Lev.5 v15.

5. Meal or meat offering, as a consecration and praise for God’ provision,

Lev.2

All these involved multiple blood sacrifices, but when Jesus came, He offered up only

one blood sacrifice for the total remission of all sins, His blood, Himself.

Seals of the Mosaic law were;

Keeping of the Sabbaths , Ex31 v13, where we are told to rest.

Exo 31:13 "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

Our ‘rest’ is in the grace of God, and is of the Holy Spirit Heb 4 v1.

Heb 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.


Jer 31, v31, tells us there are 2 factors to a covenant, it reminds God of His

obligations, and it gives us the right to intercession, to plead with God for people, or

situations, which could change the course of history.

Jer 31:31 "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.

7. The Palestinian covenant

Deuteronomy covers the subject of ‘The Promised Land’ extensively. It relates to a

land grant specifically given to Abraham’s descendants.

As Christians, we are Abraham’s spiritual descendants only, we have no claim to the

land of Israel itself. In verse 35, Moses exhorts the children of Israel to take the land,

and expands on the statutes and commands of God as given in the covenant. Indeed,

they are commanded to obey. Obedience equates to life, blessing, health, and

prosperity. Disobedience brings death, disease, curses and poverty. Deut 30 v19 says

that God has ‘called heaven and earth as witnesses to what He has been saying’. Deut

28 v15 goes into the specifics of the curses for disobedience, but, good news, Gal 3,

tells us that by Jesus’ death, we have been redeemed from the curses of the old Law.

We now have a newer and better covenant, based on better promises.

Deut 29 v12 goes on to describe the establishment of the covenant that the Israelites

agreed to.

The signs and seals of the covenant and blessings were represented by Mount

Gerizshin, the curses were represented by Mount Ebal.

Lev.25 describes a Sabbath on the land itself, ‘let it lie fallow (rest) on the 7th year’,

not on the people. It also talks about the Year of Jubilee, held every 50 years. In this

year all debts were cancelled and all slaves were freed. When Jesus paid the ultimate

penalty for sin, all debts between God and man were cancelled and we are no longer

in slavery or servitude to sin. The Jubilee was a seal of the Palestinian covenant. The

sign of the covenant was the setting up of the pile of stones by the banks of the River

Jordan. This was instigated by Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, he also ordered all

the men to be circumcised as another sign of the covenant.

8. The Davidic covenant

Although God considered Himself their King, the Israelites were murmuring and

complaining (again!) about their lack of a visible, earthly king, like all the other

nations around them. In v11 God warns them about the dangers of having a mere

mortal king. Deut 3 v22 God reminds them that He, himself will fight for them.


God had warned the Israelites about the dangers of an earthly king, who is only

mortal, after all. King Saul disobeyed God’s instructions to kill all the Amalikite tribe

when they were defeated in battle, with long-term consequences for the Israelites.

King Saul sadly failed to live up to the high standards expected of him. The bible

reminds us that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. King Saul certainly

looked the part of a mighty and noble king, tall and handsome, but it appears that on

the inside he was only a small and rather ordinary man, with the same failings as the

rest of us. I have always felt rather sorry for Saul, his failings caused him to not only

lose his kingship, but, in the end, his sanity.

God decided to appoint a king after His own heart, and He would establish His

throne forever. God was talking not only about the coming earthly kingdom of David,

but also about Jesus, who was a descendant of David.

A sign and seal of the Davidic covenant is the sun and moon.


9. The New (ultimate) Covenant of Jesus Jesus used the occasion of the Passover meal to inaugurate the New Covenant. In

Matt.26 v28 Jesus talked about “My blood of the New Covenant”.

Mat 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The bread represents the body, broken or given. The cup symbolises the blood, shed

for the forgiveness of sins The requirements of a just and holy God under the old

covenants, were fully and forever satisfied by the 2 symbols of both the old and the

new, namely the lamb and the blood. 1Peter 1 v18 says that Jesus was the “Lamb

without stain or blemish”.

The new covenant covers not only redemption - the buying or purchasing with a

ransom, but also propitiation, an appeasement of wrath, an expiation, of sins. The

new covenant is a covenant of faith, under which God presented Jesus as a sacrifice

to reconcile God and man. 1Peter 1 v23 says we are born of the Word of God, (or

Jesus). Rom.3 v5 says “Jesus was set forth as a propitiation of sins, through FAITH,

to demonstrate His righteousness (to cover, remit, and redeem our sins).

(Note; According to Websters Online Dictionary, Propitiation means

That which propitiates; atonement or atoning sacrifice; specifically, the influence or

effects of the death of Christ inappeasing the divine justice, and conciliating the divin

e favor.)

God is a righteous, holy, just, Judge. The wages of sin are death, only a blood

sacrifice can atone for sin. 1 John1 v7 “His blood washes us from ALL sin”, and Rev.1

v5 “He washed our sins in His blood”. Rev.7 v14 ‘they have washed their robes and

made them white in the Blood of the Lamb”.

The blood of Jesus has 9 main elements.

8. It provides for the ‘remission of sin’, Matt.26 v25. Remission means release

from bondage or imprisonment, dismissal, sending away, forgiveness.

9. Also, a cancelling out of judgement, cancelling out of punishment, cancelling

out of any debt or obligation.

10. It redeems us, Eph.1 v7 “in Him we have redemption through His blood”, the

word ‘redemption’ implies a ransoming of a slave or prisoner.

11. It also justifies us, acquits and declares us righteous. Rom. 5 v 8-11 says we are

‘justified by His blood’.

12. It sanctifies us, sets us apart, dedicates us and hallows us.

13. It reconciles us to God, but Col.1 v20 says only if we abide in Him, if we

continue and stand fast in Him.

14. It also consecrates us.

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/That

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/which

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/propitiates

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/atonement

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/or

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/atoning

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/sacrifice

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/specifically

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/the

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/influence

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/or

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/effects

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/of


http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/death

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/of

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/Christ

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/in

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/in


http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/divine

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/justice

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/and

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/conciliating




http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/favor


15. It separates us from the things of the world, and separates us to God.

We have a sense of God calling us and saying in effect you are designed for much

better things than this shallow, cruel , world can offer you, leave those futile things

which only leave you feeling empty, discouraged and ultimately depressed, I want

you to come to be with Me, I will look after you, and show you a much better life”.

Scripture tells us that God whistles for us, it must be a loud, piercing whistle, to get

our attention. We have the impression of someone trying to get our attention when

we are some way off, and we turn to see a figure waving to us and saying “I am over

here, come and talk to me”. Lastly, it provides salvation, with its all-encompassing

power to make things right between God and man. It changes our old sin nature, and

exchanges it for God’s nature. 1Peter 1 v23, tells us that we are now’ born of

incorruptible Seed’. 2 Peter 1 v3 says we are now ‘partakers of the divine nature’. It

removes enmity between God and man, it restores and re-establishes relationship.

Not only that, but God promises to rescue us, to deliver us from evil. He provides

safety, liberation and release from the power of sin to ensnare us once again. He

restores things as they once were. He preserves us. He provides the ‘biggies’ of the

forgiveness of sins, healing of body, soul, and relationships, and abundance or

prosperity.

The new covenant is essentially a covenant of Peace, peace between God and man.

Eph.2 v13 says that ‘we have been brought near by the blood of Christ”. There is also

‘now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus’. It is also the covenant of the

Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit was only given to all in the new covenant.

Previous to that, under the terms of the old covenant, the Holy Spirit only came on a

prophet, priest, or king on special occasions, or for specific purposes only. 1Peter1 v

2 says, “”we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit:. Scripture also tells us that we are

sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit is a seal or token of the new

covenant.

To illustrate more clearly, the main points have been summarised and set out side by

side.

Old covenant New covenant Law and works Grace and faith Blood of animals Removal of sin

Covering of sin Blood of Jesus

Continual sacrifices “Once and for all” Heb.10 v10 Blessings and curses “Redeemed from the curse of the law

Plus, the blessing of Abraham Foreshadow of things to come Fulfilment

Only for Jews, as children of God All of mankind External symbol of circumcision Internal circumcision of the heart Signs, seals, tokens Seal of new covenant is the Holy Spirit


Priests as mediators Jesus is our mediator

Access to God was only through the priests

We all have direct access

Gulf between God and man Peace and reconciliation Animal substitutes for our sin Lamb of God

Blemished substitutes Perfect sacrifice

Numerous covenants Final covenant Spiritual death Spiritual life Placing of blood (physical act) Praying of blood (spiritual act)

Incomplete sanctification Sanctified by the Holy Spirit Justification for the few All are justified

Dominion and authority over earth was lost

Dominion regained

Incomplete victory over Satan Complete victory

Holy Spirit only came upon priests, prophets & kings

We are the temples of the . Holy Spirit, He Indwells us

Limited anointing on priests, prophets, kings

All can be anointed by Holy Spirit

Prophesy for the future Prophesy fulfilled

Fear of God Awe

No personal relationship (remote God-Yahweh)

Intimate relationship Aramaic word = Abba (Daddy)

Promised Land Heaven and God’s presence forever

Old race –Jews New race – Christian

Physical seed of Abraham Spiritual seed of Abraham

Involuntary sacrifices Voluntary

Numerous laws, commands, rituals Only 2 laws – Love your God, and your neighbour as yourself

Animal sacrifices Obedient and willing heart

Old covenant annulled, made obsolete (Heb8,13)

New covenant completed


Our obligations under the new covenant are as follows:

To love the Lord Our God with all our hearts, minds, and strength

To love others

To love ourselves

To serve only Him

To live by faith, so that we please God

To do the works of Jesus

To look after widows and orphans

To preach the Good News

To pray for people and situations

It is important to remember that, as the scriptures tells us, we now have a new and

better covenant based on better promises. Our rights under the new covenant are as

follows:

Eternal life with God

Sons and daughters of God

Joint heirs with Jesus

Permission to use the name of Jesus, to pray for certain outcomes in the name

of Jesus

The forgiveness of sins

To become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus

To have Jesus as our advocate

To be filled and baptised with the Holy Spirit of God, so that we can operate in

His power, love, and gifts

To have the right to come boldly to the throne of God

To have our needs met

To receive healing, protection, deliverance, and salvation

To know that all the promises of God are, Yes, and Amen!!


The importance of Blood in the old covenant The word ‘blood’ appears 366 times in the Old Testament alone. Heb 9 v22 tells us

that according to Jewish laws almost all things are purified by blood , and’ without

the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin’. It is the only way to ensure a new

beginning and eternal life. The word ‘remission’ means to send away, release, forgive,

cancel out. Lev.17 v11 It is blood that makes atonement. The Hebrew word is –Karpar

(Katifar) – cover over, propitiate, pacify, purge, expiate, reconcile, cleanse.

Lev 16 talks about the Day of Atonement, in the Hebrew it is called Yom Kippur,

which is a type, or shadow, or forerunner, of what Jesus did. Numbers 35 v 33 tells

us that the land is defiled by blood spilled, e g, when someone is murdered.

The British comedian and actor, Michael Bentine, (of ‘The Goon Show’ fame), tells of

his experiences just after the Second World War, when he and his unit were one of

the first to liberate, and eventually were stationed in one of the Nazi concentration

camps, overseeing the burial of corpses, and the feeding and eventual evacuation of

the unfortunate former prisoners. He mentions his dark and depressing impression

of the camps, where nothing ever grew, no flowers or plants, and no birds ever sang.

My colleague went to visit one of these camps only recently, (in 2008), she

mentioned that the birds still do not sing there, and this is nearly 60-70 years later!

In Gen 4 v10, we are told that blood actually has a voice of its own. It calls out to God,

but only if the person killed has a relationship with God, According to Pastor and

Bible Teacher, the Reverend Marilyn Hickey, that voice calls out mercy, mercy, for

your blood to be avenged by the mercy of God.

Gen 8 v 20-1 we are told blood has a smell, and in Ex12 v23 that God sees blood. The

first plagues in Egypt started with blood, and the last one ended with blood. The river

Nile was like a god to the ancient Egyptians, it provided them with life giving water,

fertilised their fields, and gave sustenance throughout the year. By turning the river

into blood God was in effect showing them that He was in control.

In Heb 10 v4 we see that animal sacrifices are insufficient, the blood of bulls and

other animals merely covered over sin. It does not take away and remove sin. Jesus

obtained eternal redemption for us by the shedding of His own blood, once and for

all time. We do not need to perform endless repetitive rituals in order to be cleansed

from sin. The word ‘redemption’ means buying back someone from captivity,

liberate, redeem, re-purchase, ransom. Our ransom was the body and blood of Jesus.

Although the Jewish law required blood sacrifices, Heb10 v6, God was not really

pleased with blood sacrifice., He would much rather have the sacrifice of our will,

that we are willing to give of ourselves to Him and to be obedient to further His

kingdom. As Jesus himself said, ‘Never the less, not my will be done, but thine’. This

New Covenant that came into existence with Jesus’ death and resurrection was the

ultimate covenant, there are no more after this. It was created for OUR sake, for our

benefit and security. It personifies God’s ‘ agape’ love, it is the root of all He does.


The Blood of Jesus: Since the life of Jesus is in His blood, if we plead, honour, sprinkle, and sing about

the blood, (“God inhabits the praises of His people”), our prayers and requests

become charged with the life and power of Jesus. The Word, the Blood, the Name,

and authority, equals victory. Demons will not and cannot speak about the blood.

The scriptures in Revelations, tells us that “we overcome by the blood of the Lamb,

and the words of our testimony”. Some Christian authorities say we should on a

regular basis claim and plead the blood of Jesus over our health, families, finances,

circumstances. Ex 12 v24 seems to indicate that we should plead the blood in

conjunction with the command to Satan to lose his grip on that person or situation,

in Jesus name.

Heb 12 says that “the blood of sprinkling that speaks of better things than the blood

of Abel”.

Heb 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

The blood of Abel cries out to God for vengeance, vengeance, whereas the blood of

Jesus cries out, mercy, mercy. It cries out for forgiveness and restoration.


Other Covenants

The covenant of healing

In Gen.20v 17 We find that God healed Abimelech, the king. Exo15 v26 mentions

that the blessings of God, eg, healing were all conditional on the Israelites. They had

to listen and obey every instruction, and keep every single commandment.

Gen 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again,

Clearly, for most people this is well nigh impossible to keep up on a continual basis.

That is why a new and better covenant had to come in effect, one based on better

promises. However, the Lord did say “I am the God who heals you”. The term used is

‘rapha- means heal, cure, repair, and restore health (physical). I’m not sure whether

that included mental health under the old covenant. It certainly does under the new

covenant. The scriptures mention that Jesus healed someone possessed by the devil,

but, the word ‘healed’ used in this context is translated as, ‘therapy’. It implies

treatment or healing over a period of time, however short or long this treatment may

be. It is part of God’s character and attributes, to heal and restore.

Exo, 23 says of God “I will take sickness away from you” (talking about the

Israelites). Again, Deut.7 v15 “the Lord will take away from you all sickness”. We

should remember from the scriptures that when the Israelites (by all accounts,

approximately 2 million of them), had to wander in the wilderness, there was no sick

or feeble ones amongst them. The word feeble, in ancient Hebrew, the word is –

kashal-, means to totter, waver, falter, stumble, faint, fall, fail, decay, or to be weak.

In addition, in Ps 91 v9-10 God promised that no plague or pestilence would come

near them. Not only that, but Deut 29 v5, says that even their clothes or shoes did not

wear out! The modern person might think that could be a disadvantage, no excuses

to go shopping for the latest trends!

Ps.103 v1-4 reminds us that the Lord is the one “who heals ALL your diseases”, and 2

Chron. V12 says we should “seek the Lord for healing”.

Heb 8 v6 says that “He (Jesus) is the Mediator of a newer covenant established on

better promises”.

Matt,8 v16 says that He (Jesus) healed ALL who were sick, and Isa53 v4&5, says that

by His (Jesus’) stripes (the whip marks) we are healed, because He was wounded for

OUR transgressions. (He took our punishment). Incidentally, Matt8 v16, is the

fulfilment of the preceeding scripture reference in Isa53.

In Mark 16 v15-18, the church is given The Great Commission, that is, to preach the

Good News to all creation, and to lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.


The covenant of protection

Salvation includes deliverance, rescue, and preservation of spirit, soul, and body. Ps

91 talks about the person “who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, shall rest in the

shadow of the Almighty”. The word, refuge, translated –makhseh- means shelter,

place of refuge and trust. The word, dwelling place, –maween- means, retreat, and

rest. It embodies health, as well as physical protection. 2 Peter 2 v9 assures us that

“God preserves the committed believers in the midst of evil circumstances”. 2Tim.4

v18 promises that ‘the Lord will deliver me from every evil work “.

The covenant of prosperity

In John10.10 Jesus tells us “I have come to bring you life, and to bring it more

abundantly, Deut 8 v18 goes on to say that “The Lord gives power to get wealth”.

Wealth is given not just for our benefit and needs, but to establish and verify God’s

covenant.

In 3John v2, the man of God prays this prayer, “Beloved, I pray that you may be in

health, and prosper. The word means, to help succeed in reaching, an ongoing

progressive state of well-being in every area of our lives, spirit, soul, body, and

materially. However, a balance is critical. Ps1 v3 talks about being blessed, blessed

being happy, and being empowered to succeed. God is happy when we prosper, Ps35

v27 “The Lord has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants”. I don’t think it matters

to Him if we are in (paid) ministry, or just working for Him as a volunteer, however

menial the task or job. If we are working for Him, we are His servants. The word –

prosperity –encompasses safety, wellness, happiness, health, and peacefulness.

There is also a holistic relationship, as it were, between health, and wellbeing, in

other areas of our lives.

The everlasting Covenant

Basically, the new and final covenant is essentially, an Abrahamic one. The blessings

of Abraham are ours as spiritual descendants of Abraham. Gen 12 v3 tells us that “all

the families of the earth would be blessed”, because of Abraham. Gen17 v7 God says

“I will establish My covenant with you”. This was an irrevocable pledge to be

Abraham’s God forever. We also need to notice that it is never man who approaches

God with an offer to cut the covenant. It is always God’s idea. All the bible promises

are based on the Abrahamic promise. 2Sam.7 v24 the ancient Israelites are known as

God’s own people. 2Sam. 7.v13 says, King David’s throne would last forever (through

Jesus, a descendant of David). Ps103.v17 The mercy of God is from everlasting to

everlasting to those who fear God, and His righteousness. It would extend to their

children and their children’s children. 1Peter1 v20 says Christ was chosen and

foreordained before the creation of the world. Christ was the fulfilment of God’s plan

of eternal redemption Heb.9 v11, and Heb. 15 v20 talks about the blood of the

everlasting covenant. The terms are, through faith in Christ, and through love and


obedience to His commands. Revelation tells us that our names are written in the

Lamb’s book of life. We need to make sure we are followers of Christ. We can be sure

we are, as the Holy Spirit is the sign and seal of the everlasting covenant, and Eph.1

v13 tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.

Covenant nature of man

Man seems to have an innate desire to make covenants. One of the earliest recorded

covenants was between Abraham and Abimalech, the king of Gerah, Gen.21 v22, this

was for mutual security. Abraham was recognised as the stronger party, although he

was only a sojourner there. The town (oasis) of Beersheba was known as the well of

the oath, in commemoration of the cutting of the covenant. As usual, gifts were given,

and a tree planted as a memorial of the occasion. In Joshua 9, Joshua was deceived

into making a covenant with the Hittites.

God ensures that the covenant is kept because He swore on His own Name to do so.

(2Sam.21 v1).

A family covenant:

God usually extend the covenant to include our children and our descendants. In

Gen.22 v17 He says” I will multiply your descendants. In you all nations will be

blessed”.

In Gen.9 v9, God cut a covenant with Noah, and blessed Noah’s descendants.

In Gen17 v9 Abraham is instructed to “keep My (God’s) commandments. You, and

your descendants after you”. God considers families to be of prime importance.

In Is.54, we have the promise that our sons would be taught of the Lord, and great

would be the peace of our children.

Acts 16 v30 instructs us to claim salvation for our families.

1Cor.7 v13 makes the point that we shouldn’t just believe our families will be saved,

but pray in faith that it is manifest here and now.

We need to, as the scriptures remind us,” call (speak) those things which are not, as

though they are”. We need to speak things into existence.

Ex4 v20 talks about the importance of a covenant with God, if for no other reason

than the umbrella of protection for our families. In this story, Zipporah objected to

her son’s early circumcision, God pointed out to Moses its importance by using

Zipporah vicariously. As Moses would be dealing with magicians, his children needed

to be circumcised or they would be unprotected, and potentially vunerable to attacks

by the dark side.


The marriage covenant:

God’s original idea of marriage, is a relationship between equals in the sight of God.

Gal3 v 28 promise, that “there is neither male nor female, you are all one in Christ

Jesus, and heirs of the promises”, has been, until fairly recently, and then only in

some societies, been largely superimposed by the restrictive and at times barbarous

cultural traditions of men.

How wise, and true, God hit it on the head when He said that the Word of God had

been made null and void by the traditions of men! In these ancient, and not so

ancient, times, women were seen as the property of their menfolk, whether it was a

father, uncle, or husband. They literally had the right of life or death over their

womenfolk. Even in England, until the 1800’s, women could apparently be bought

and sold in the markets! Women had no legal or voting status, all their personal

property became their husband’s when they married. Women became the goods and

chattels of their husbands! Lord Chief Justice John Holt made that point very clear

when he stated that “adultery is the highest invasion of property”!!! Scripture

reminds us that men have totally ignored the word of God and made it to no effect.

What was to be a pleasant, mutually satisfying and symbiotic partnership became an

excuse for control, domination, and oppression. A man, unless he is born again, of

God’s nature, is naturally of the devil. Man has a dark, oppressive, suppressive, bitter

and jealous side to his nature. God did say when He kicked Adam and Eve, and the

devil, out of the Garden of Eden, that there would be enmity between the woman and

the devil. It makes sense in this context that there would be a battle for control and

domination between the sexes.

Marriage is essentially, or should be, a covenant of love. It is still a BLOOD covenant,

it has all the hallmarks of a blood covenant, namely, the shedding of blood when a

virgin’s hymen is broken. It involves signs, seals, and tokens, usually a wedding ring,

perhaps other jewellery, perhaps a tattoo for the more modern and progressive. It

involves an exchange of names (the wife taking the husband’s name) also gifts. In the

old days it was called the morning gift, the morning after the night before! It has

witnesses. It has feasting, in a public place, so that the townspeople were made aware

that a contract had been made and sworn. Scripture tells us that ‘I (God) will prepare

a table before you, in the midst of your enemies’(Psalms 23). We get the idea that a

covenant had taken place, and even your enemies would see, from the feasting taking

place, that you now had an agreement with perhaps a stronger and politically more

powerful person and they (your enemies) had better look out, because there are now

the two of you that they have to contend with! In this scripture God is saying it’s

actually you and God, they have to contend with! A marriage feast is now showing

the world that you are in serious relationship. Marriage is like the relationship of

Christ with His church, he gave Himself sacrificially. Ep5 v22 makes the point that


the word submit does not constitute any loss or inferior position (perhaps it was just

that Adam was here first, so it’s only fair he has first go!), v23 places the

responsibility for the success or failure of the marriage almost solely with the man.

He is to be the leader and give his love sacrificially. (If we want to play leader, we

have to take the responsibility that comes with it!). He is the redeemer of his wife and

the marriage, just as Christ is the Redeemer of the church. Marriage was initiated at

the very start of the bible, in the 2nd chapter of Genesis. God realized that it was not

good for Adam to be by himself (apart from God, of course) so He made a woman

from Adam’s rib to be a helper, or helpmeet, to Adam. The taking out of the rib must

have caused some blood to be shed, although Adam was in a deep coma, so he would

not have felt it. Adam and Eve were now in covenant, as blood had been shed

between them. Incidentally, the rib is there to protect the heart. Some teachers give

the opinion that women are to guard, and nurture, the things that are in a man’s

heart, his hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The word helpmeet is an interesting

choice. In spite of what some old fuddy-duddies might think, it would indicate to me

that biblically speaking it is giving married women license to be in the paid

workforce. We are there to help make ends meet! Biblically, marriage is a covenant

agreement entered into by two people, a man and a woman. It is both personal to

them, but also communal, with social, physical, and spiritual implications. Just

digressing a little bit here, to desire for same-sex couples to make their relationship

more of a commitment, and legal, could be considered, in some quarters, as laudable,

but, attempts to call it a ‘marriage’ is in my opinion, incorrect, and troubling to most

committed Christians. Let them use another word, perhaps union, congress, or, for

all I care, call it ‘ham and eggs’! Just not ‘marriage’!!!

In Gen 29 v30 we are reminded that God likes to get involved in our marriages, He is

passionately committed to making it work for us. In fact, the bible goes so far as to

say He HATES divorce, for the pain, fury, and anguish it causes us. As God is a

divorced man himself, He is only too well aware of the hurt and effects. Don’t believe

me, that God is divorced? It’s there in Jeremiah 3 v6-15, God gave Israel a ‘bill of

divorcement’ for playing the harlot, going with others gods, instead of her husband,

the Almighty God. Earlier in Scripture God had promised Israel that He would be her

husband. He would look after her, protect her, and take care of her, make sure she

was alright, and love her like nobody else could. The passage in Jeremiah also

reflects God’s anguish, anger, and distress, at His ‘wife’ Israel’s behaviour. The pain

in these passages is almost palpable. The reader wants to cry with Him! The passage

also reveals the graciousness and kindness of God’s character, in that it talks of God’s

on-going love for His divorced ‘unfaithful wife’, Israel, and His hopes for a better

relationship in the future. It is really a beautiful, romantic story! Incidentally, the

divorce is another reason that Jesus had to die. To remarry the same person is sin

{although I’m not too sure why?). It was alright for God to divorce Israel, because

divorce for reasons of adultery is not a sin.

Some people liken divorce to having your heart or leg ripped off. This should come

as no surprise, seeing as the bible tells us we become ONE flesh when we marry. It IS


tantamount to having our physical leg ripped off. Not pleasant! Another verse that

adds weight to the idea of becoming one flesh, is found in Gen 2 v23, which tells us

that our wives are now “bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh” .God likens our

behaviour when we leave our spouses as treachery. The root word of treachery is

treason. The crime of treason, especially if we were at war, would be punishable by

death. I guess that is why we want to kill our spouses, if we discover they have

committed adultery! 1Cor7 v1-5 goes on to say that (that amongst other things),

marriage is God’s idea, that we do become one flesh, and that marriage is

indissoluble. Just a small side-line, the dictionary words adultery and adulterate

mean to corrupt, poison or contaminate, typically food in a supermarket (perhaps in

an extortion attempt), to render something poorer in quality by adding another

usually inferior substance, eg. a brewer adulterating beer. If food in the supermarket,

either deliberately, or accidentally becomes adulterated it is thrown out and

discarded. For many married people, of they discover their partner has cheated, it is

the kiss of death on that marriage, they cannot cope emotionally with the discovery.

Just to underscore the concept of becoming spiritually one flesh, readers may be

interested in a personal experience my husband and I had some years ago. He had

gone to work one morning being distinctly unwell and suffering pain (his presence

was required in the office), meanwhile I had gone to a ladies prayer morning, where I

asked for prayer for healing, for him. As the ladies kindly laid hands on me and

prayed for my husband to get better, (scripture tells us that “believers shall lay hands

on the sick, and they shall recover”), I had the extraordinary experience of being

‘slain in the spirit”, where the power of God seems to come down from on high, and

you are unable almost to move. It is an entirely painless experience. Fortunately, I

was already sitting down on a settee, so I did not have far to fall down. At that very

moment, in his office, in another part of town, my husband was instantly healed,

with loss of all pain and discomfort, and was able to complete his work schedule for

that day. We compared notes later that day and discovered it was almost (as far as we

could determine) to the minute when the ladies had prayed, and I had gone down ‘in

the Spirit”. This was not the only occasion that this phenomonen occurred, but as I

recall it was the first time, so it was obviously memorable and meaningful to us.

Although this writer has had profound and personal experiences, and biblical

knowledge, with the concept of covenant, especially in a marriage covenant, it does

not stop you from wanting to hurl large objects, or perhaps even leave the

relationship when your spouse irritates you! On one occasion, I was distinctly

disgruntled with my husband, for something he had, or had not, done. All that day,

and the next, I was muttering, “you have done your dash, this is IT, I have finished

with you, Buster!!”, when I sensed God saying to me “I thought you said you had a

covenant agreement with him?” My sulky response was,’ I suppose so’.

So, of course, I had to forgive my husband, he is only a man (and therefore limited!)

after all!


It is a very good idea to carefully consider your choice of a mate, do not let hormones

get in the way of making rational decisions! There is probably not ‘the one’ when it

comes to choosing a mate, there are probably lots who would harmoniously fit into

and with your personality type. So find the one who’s human failings irritates you the

least!

Pre-marriage counselling sessions are also a good idea, so that you can explore what

you both want and expect from this marriage. If one of you wants lots of children,

and the other one doesn’t, it could cause some tension.

If, for some reason, the supposedly charming person you have married, reveals

themselves to have a distinctly dark side, if you and your children (for which you are

responsible), are in physical, mental or sexual danger, you are morally bound to

distance yourself from that situation. No child of God should be subjected to cruel,

perverted, or inhumane treatment by a child of the devil.

That being said, a covenant, that includes marriage, is supposed to be for keeps. God

doesn’t abandon us, ever. He said ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you’.

As you carefully consider your choice of godly, gracious, and kindly mate, who’s heart

is to do God’s will, as you joyfully join your loved one in holy matrimony, promising

to be there for each other forever, remember, it’s written in Blood, and it is therefore,

FOREVER.

bloodcovenant by by mindena spurling

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