Page 5 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

(Gen 9:1-4, all quotations unless otherwise are taken from the NIV) God preserved Noah and his family
and the rest of the saved animals as a seed for the new creation. However, even though God re-created
the earth, man was still corrupt. Noah’s covenant was also a cosmic covenant because it applied to all
humanity and all the earth. (Gen 9:8-16). And as per custom the covenant had to be sealed. Thus God
sealed His oath with the sign of his bow in the clouds.

Theological significance
The Ark which Noah made is a typology of Christ’s saving grace even in chaotic world like Noah’s day.
The story of Noah is also a good example of God’s view of sin. He is a loving and patient God, but he is
also a just God who does not let sin go unpunished. Our Lord Jesus in the New Testament compared the
story of Noah, “For the coming of the son of man will be just like the days of Noah.” Jesus was referring
to the corruption of humanity. Sandra puts it this way, “Just as in the days of Noah humanity had
succeeded in so corrupting themselves that the only option was to wash the world clean and start
again…so too at the time of Jesus’ return.”

(B) ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
The Abrahamic covenant in literature is also known as the “covenant of grant” or “Royal grant.” The
covenant is called this because God was going to bless Abraham for his faithfulness in following God.
This covenant was not between a Suzerain and vassal but a, “covenant sworn by two individuals
involving a gift of land, bestowed upon a servant who had distinguished himself by loyal service to his
sovereign.” God promised Abraham land, as an inheritance, and an offspring who were going to be as
many as the stars in the sky. Thus God changed his name from Abram to “Abraham” which means father
of nations, because through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. (Gen17:1-4) Apart from
changing his name God also asked Abraham and his household and his descendants after him to be
circumcised as a sign of the covenant. God also promised to establish a covenant with Abraham’s
descendants throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, and to be God to him and his
descendants. A ratification ceremony was performed and God sealed His oath with a promise of His own
blood. (Gen 15:17-18). The uniqueness of the Abrahamic covenant is that it is one extended family
permanently welcomed into covenant relationship.

Theological significance
Abraham’s faith is very cardinal to everyone, even to us the New Testament believers because in
Galatians 3:1-9, his faith is recommended as something that we need to have. The New Testament also
makes circumcision equivalent to baptism. Circumcision was a mark of those belonging to Yahweh, thus
faith in Christ is a sign of belonging to Jesus. The Abrahamic Covenant sets the tone for faith as God’s
redemptive solution for a sinful mankind because through Abraham’s faith he was declared righteous.
(Gen 15:6). Thus Abraham is the father of everyone who believes both Jew and Gentile.

(C) MOSAIC COVENANT
The mosaic covenant is a good example of Suzerain/ vassal treaty. God made this covenant with the
Children of Israel immediately after delivering them from Egypt as a newly born nation. God was also
fulfilling his covenant with Abraham. As alluded to earlier, God was not asking the Israelites to obey Him
in order to obtain grace but rather, they were asked to obey because God had already acted on their
behalf. He promised they would keep the land and enjoy the fruit of the land if they continued in
Obedience (blessings) and curses if they disobeyed. Like every suzerain God also stipulated his
ordinances to his new vassal or what we call the Ten Commandments represented by two tablets. Again,
a ratification ceremony was also performed (Exodus 24:5-8) to finalize the covenant.

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