God made five covenants with Israel.
The Abrahamic Covenant: UNCONDITIONAL
These Genesis passages show thirteen provisions in this covenant.
First, a great nation was to come out of Abraham, namely, the nation of Israel (12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:1-2, 7; 22:17b).
Secondly, he was promised a Land; specifically, the land of Canaan (12:1, 7; 13:14-15, 17; 15:17-21; 17:8).
Thirdly, Abraham himself was to be greatly blessed (12:2b).
Fourthly, Abraham's name would be great (12:2c).
Fifth, Abraham will be a blessing to others (12:2d).
Sixth, those who bless Israel will be blessed (12:3a).
Seventh, those who curse Israel will be cursed (12:3b).
Eighth, in Abraham all will ultimately be blessed (12:3c; 22:18).
Ninth, Abraham would receive a son through his wife Sarah (15:1-4; 17:16-21).
Tenth, his descendants would undergo the Egyptian bondage (15:13-14).
Eleventh, other nations as well as Israel would come forth from Abraham (17:3-4, 6); the Arab states are some of these nations.
Twelfth, his name was to be changed from Abram to Abraham (17:5).
And thirteenth, Sarai's name was to be changed to Sarah (17:15). These provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant can be categorized in three areas: to Abraham; to the Seed, Israel; and to the Gentiles.
The Land Covenant: UNCONDITIONAL
Eight provisions can be gleaned from this passage.
First, Moses prophetically spoke of Israel's coming disobedience to the Mosaic Law and subsequent scattering over all the world (Deut. 29:2-30:1). All remaining provisions speak of various facets of Israel's final restoration.
Secondly, Israel will repent (Deut. 30:2).
Thirdly, the Messiah will return (v. 3).
Fourthly, Israel will be regathered (vv. 3-4).
Fifth, Israel will possess the Promised Land (v. 5).
Sixth, Israel will be regenerated (v. 6).
Seventh, the enemies of Israel will be judged. And finally, Israel will receive full blessing; specifically, the blessings of the Messianic Age (vv. 8-10).
The special importance of the Land Covenant is that it reaffirms the title deed to the Land as belonging to Israel. Although she would prove unfaithful and disobedient, the right to the Land would never be taken from her. Furthermore, it shows that the conditional Mosaic Covenant did not lay aside the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. It might be taken by some that the Mosaic Covenant displaced the Abrahamic Covenant, but the Land Covenant shows that this is not true. The Land Covenant is an enlargement of the original Abrahamic Covenant. It amplifies the Land aspect and emphasizes the promise of the Land to God's earthly people in spite of their unbelief.
The Davidic Covenant: UNCONDITIONAL
Careful study of both biblical accounts brings out six main provisions of the Davidic Covenant.
First, David is promised an eternal dynasty (II Sam. 7:11b, 16; I Chr. 17:10b). Nothing could ever destroy the House of David; it will always be in existence. Although it is unknown who they are, to this day somewhere in the Jewish world members of the House of David still exist.
Second, one of David's own sons, specifically Solomon, was to be established on the throne after David (II Sam. 7:12).
Third, Solomon would build the Temple (II Sam. 7:13a).
Fourth, the throne of David's kingdom was to be established for ever (II Sam. 7:13b, 16). It was not Solomon himself who was promised to be established for ever, but rather the throne upon which he would sit.
Fifth, Solomon would be disciplined for disobedience, but God would not remove His lovingkindness (II Sam. 7:14-15). Earlier God did remove His lovingkindness from King Saul because of disobedience. But the promise is made that although Solomon may disobey and require God's discipline; God's lovingkindness will never depart from him.
Sixth, the Messiah and His throne, house, and kingdom will be established for ever (I Chr. 17:11-15). The
emphasis in the II Samuel passage is on Solomon, but in the I Chronicles passage it is on the Messiah. In the I Chronicles passage, God is not speaking of one of David's own sons to be established upon the throne for ever, but the Seed of one of his sons coming many years later. Furthermore, in this passage it is the Person Himself that is established upon David's throne for ever, not merely the throne. Clearly the emphasis in the I Chronicles passage is not on Solomon, but on the Messiah. That is why this passage does not mention the possibility of sin as the II Samuel passage did, for in the case of the Messiah no sin would be possible. So the Messiah, as well as His throne, His house, and His kingdom are to be established for ever.
The unique importance of the Davidic Covenant is that it amplifies the Seed aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant. According to the Abrahamic Covenant, the Messiah was to be of the Seed of Abraham. This merely stated that He was to be a Jew and could be of any of the twelve tribes. Later, in the time of Jacob, the Seed aspect was limited to a member of the Tribe of Judah only (Gen. 49:10). Now the Seed aspect is further narrowed to one family within the Tribe of Judah, the family of David.
The New Covenant: UNCONDITIONAL
From the original covenant and its various confirmations, a total of eight provisions can be found.
First, it is an unconditional covenant involving God and both houses of Israel (Jer. 31:31). Hence, it includes the entire Jewish nation:
the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Secondly, it is clearly distinct from the Mosaic Covenant (Jer. 31:32). It is not merely a further elaboration of the Mosaic Covenant, but it is distinct from it. It is ultimately to replace the Mosaic Covenant, which was now considered broken.
Thirdly, it promises the regeneration of Israel (Jer. 31:33; Is. 59:21). The key aspect of this entire covenant is the blessing of salvation, which includes Israel's national regeneration.
Fourth, the regeneration of Israel is to be universal among all Jews (Jer. 31:34a; Is. 61:9). The national salvation is to extend to every individual Jewish person, and it is to be true through succeeding generations from the time that the initial regeneration of Israel occurs. Thus during the Kingdom, unregenerate people will all be Gentiles; in the entire period of the Kingdom, there will be no unsaved Jews. That is the reason there will be no need for one Jew to say to another, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know Him.
Fifth, there is provision for the forgiveness of sin (Jer. 31:34b). The New Covenant will do that very thing which the Mosaic Covenant was unable to do. The latter was able only to cover the sins of Israel, but the New Covenant will take them away.
The sixth provision is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:27). The reason Israel failed to keep the Law under the Mosaic Covenant was that the people lacked the power to comply with the righteous standards of God. The Mosaic Law did not provide the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; that was not its purpose. But the New Covenant will do just that, and every Jew will be enabled to do the righteous work of God.
Seventh, Israel will be showered with material blessings (Jer. 32:41; Ezek. 34:25-27). The Mosaic Law did provide material blessings for obedience, but for the most part, Israel was in disobedience because of her failure to keep the Law. However, such failure will not exist under the New Covenant. Along with Israel's regeneration and empowerment to keep the Law, material blessings will be given by the Lord.
Eighth, the Sanctuary will be rebuilt (Ezek. 37:26-28). The Davidic Covenant did provide for the building of the First Temple by Solomon; the New Covenant will provide for the building of the Messianic or Millennial Temple. This Temple will be a continual reminder to Israel of all that God has done. The importance of the New Covenant is that it amplifies the blessing aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant, especially in relationship to salvation.
The only covenant God made with Israel that was conditional on their behaviour was the Mosaic Covenant, which you can read about in
Deuteronomy 29.
Please note that the Mosiac covenant had nothing to do with the land Israel was promised, or their status as God's people. It had to do with blessings. If there are conditions on any of the other covenants, please show from scripture what they are.
