The Idea of the Covenant
Read Nehemiah 10:1–29 (and refresh your memory by reading
Nehemiah 9:36–38). Who is making this covenant, and why did they
enter into it?
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Although only the leaders signed the document, the text pointedly
notes that all of “the rest the people” entered into “a curse and an oath
to follow the Law of God” (Neh. 10:28, 29, NIV). What was so signifi-
cant about the covenant that they all desired to enter into an agreement
with God? In order to answer this question, we have to go back to the
very beginning and understand the biblical idea of the covenant.
The covenant was important because it was part of God’s story in
dealing with sinful humanity, and it demonstrated God’s yearning for
a relationship with people. It also allowed people to demonstrate their
desire to be dedicated to God.
The biblical Creation story in Genesis 1 and 2 reveals not only the
creation of the first humans but the relationship between them and
God, and between each other, as well. However, sin then entered and
broke all those relationships. Sin is the antithesis of creation, bringing
de-creation (death) instead.
The genealogy of Adam eventually splits, as Cain chooses evil (Gen.
4:8–19) and Seth embraces God (Gen. 5:3–24). Cain’s genealogy cul-
minates in Lamech (Gen. 4:17–19)—the seventh (inclusively) from
Adam, who introduced polygamy. Violence and vengeance on Cain’s
side stand in juxtaposition to the faithful lineage of Seth. Seth’s gene-
alogy also is enumerated, but the seventh in this line is Enoch, who
“walked with God” (Gen. 5:24) and was taken to heaven.
Unfortunately, the world embraced evil more than it did God, and the
lineage of the faithful became very small, creating a real possibility of
eliminating any family through whom God could fulfill His Word by
sending the promised Seed to save humans. At that point, God inter-
vened with the Flood. The Flood, however, was a further de-creation,
a reversal and destruction of life, and yet, God destroyed only what
humans had already ruined (Gen. 6:11–13).
How have you personally experienced the reality of sin’s destruc-
tive force? What’s the only power against sin, and how do we avail
ourselves of it?
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