Before we even begin with this post it is imperative that we understand that the entire Word and relationship with YHWH our Elohim through Yeshua is based on a Divine Partnership based on a Covenant - Gen 1:26-30.
When reading Devarim (Deuteronomy) we can see a similar pattern being represented - this is known as a Suzerain Covenant - a covenant relationship in which YHWH pledges to be the Suzerain (King) over Israel while Israel in turn is seen as YHWH's vassal who is expected to be faithful to the Covenant Bond. YHWH as the suzerain protects, provides, and guides Israel.
Here is a basic structure of this sort of Suzerain Covenant as laid out in Devarim -
Preamble - Dev 1:1-5:
Historical Prologue - Dev 1:6-4:43:
Stipulations - Dev 4:44-26:19:
Ratification / Oath - Dev 27:1-26:
Bless / Curse and additional stipulations - Dev 28:1-30:20.
In this eternal never to be changed Covenant it is obvious that -
YHWH is the Great King and
Yisrael is the Vassal who are to govern and rule on earth as YHWH’s repetitive by being Light to the Nations (Deut 4:1-8 & Mat 5-7) a reflection of Yeshua The Creator.
In the Creation of man and woman and their marriage we see the reflection and representation of the Creator showing the World (and us) His relationship with His Bride and the reproduction of spiritual offspring (Eph 5:22-6:4 arw Mal 2:14-17 & Jer 31:31-33).
The Covenant that YHWH made with His People is a perfect and eternal never to change Covenant which is revealed progressively - in other words IT HAS NEVER CHANGED AND NEVER WILL BECAUSE YESHUA IS THE EMBODIEMENT OF THE LIVING COVENANT - the Covenant was revealed in seasons like the growth of a seed - from seed to maturity and harvest - NOT IN DISPENSATIONS (an allotted period of time with a beginning and an end whereupon a new dispensation begins) - and be described something like this -
1. The Edenic Covenant [Gen_2:3-25 - Gen_3:1-23] was re-affirmed via
2. The Noachic Covenant Expansion [Gen_8:20-22 – Gen_9:1-17];
3. The Avrahamic Covenant Extension [Gen_12:1-3; Gen_15:1-21; Gen_17:1-22, Gen_18:10-19; and Gen_22:1-18];
4. The Courtship Covenant Extension and Expansion [Exo_6:3-8]; The Sinaitic Betrothal Covenant Extension and Expansion [Exo_19:3–Num_10:10];
5. The Davidic Covenant Extension and Expansion [1Sa_16:1-13 and 2Sa_7:8-17];
6. The Solomonic Wisdom Covenant Extension and Expansion [1Ki_3:3-15]; and,
7. The Renewed Covenant Extension and Expansion [Jer_31:27-40; Eze_36:22-38, and Isa_60:1-11 - Isa_62:1-12].
This is a very short and simple explanation of the Covenant Relationship we enter into when claiming redemption and salvation through Yeshua (being reborn for want of a more generic term) and as spoken of by Yeshua in John 3:1-18 arw Eph 2:1-22.
So then what is the Hebraic and thus Biblical understanding of a Covenant?
In Hebrew it is the word brit from Strongs H1285 that is translated as Covenant, however the meaning or implications of that Covenant and it’s conditions are more firmly entrenched in the Hebrew word Nachalah from Strongs H5159 often translated in our Bibles as an inheritance, possession, heritage.
The Covenant made with us through YHWH is eternal and never changing and although we have the right to an inheritance, certain possessions and heritages these are not guaranteed but rather predicated on our choices and obedience to His stipulations contained in His Suzerain Covenant and as shown above this Covenant with it’s benefits can be annulled or lead to divorce and curses! (Ex 19:5-8; Ex 24:7; Deut 28:1-2 and Deut 28:15-16 and many more)
The word Nachalah Strongs H5159 is derived from the root H5157 and related to H5158 a word first used in Gen 32:23 and translated as a brook; a river which causes deltas’ to form; which divides up and apportions land and gives life and food - a Covenant is therefore not to be seen as something passed down to me by legal right of passage after death to do with as I think proper - my possession, my heritage to pass on - NO instead it is a living relationship of obedience to the Suzerain Covenant (which is the embodiment and rule of The King) prepared by The Suzerain King and to which we have agreed to the conditions contained therein!
Therefore just because my father in the flesh was Covenanted to YHWH in and through Yeshua DOES NOT GIVE ME THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS ON THIS COVENANT AND IT’S PROMISES THROUGH HIS MERITS! The Covenant and it’s blessings (conditions) are not a biological or legal right based on “heritage” but rather on the Seed of The Son of The Promise - (Eze 18:1-32; John 8:31-59 and Rom 9:6 See John 3:1-18 again) and have to be renewed by each succeeding generation because The Covenant and It’s promises are a living forward looking and progressing way of life for those accepting the Rule and Provisions of The Suzerain Eternal King - this can be seen represented by the Sign of Circumcision as recorded in Gen 17:9-14 and administered by the father of the house and in Scriptures such as Jos 24:14 ff.
This is a very short and encapsulated presentation of The Covenant and what it is in essence - there is so much more because Yeshua Himself is The Living Covenant, and as we know to break the Covenant (Torah - marriage contract) is SIN (1 John 3:4) thus when we walk in Covenant (Torah) we are walking in the Authority of Yeshua and reflecting His Glory and Authority in the world, His Creation as was intended in Gen 1:16-30 arw Gen 2:18-25 and expounded upon in Eph 5:22-6:4 and I would draw you attention to verses 23-31 as we apply His Covenant (Torah) we become bone of His Bone and flesh of His Flesh - back to The Garden and forward to The Garden - Rev 22:1-5 as He restores His Bride and Creation back to Him, His Covenant, His Rule.
Here we have in short the essence of The Covenant so for those of us wanting to return to our Elohim in and through Yeshua our King we may need to ask ourselves the question:
Where do I stand and W/whom do I reflect?
To give credit where credit is due much of the understanding that I have gleamd on this subject matter over the years can be attributed to The Rabbi's son - Bill Bullock.
Once again please study this out with an attitude of prayer, supplication and with His Word in hand - we are all just trying to find our way home and I pray therefore that we may we find favour with our Heavenly Elohim and Abba in and through Yeshua as led by The Ruach HaKodesh as He progressively reveals Himself, His Covenant, His Torah (Instructions) and Way to us in these end times.
