What is Covenant?
From time to time we send along pieces that we're using throughout the emergedetroit network for scriptural discernment, study, and as starting points for our conversations. Below is one on the notion of "Covenant" that our Detroit Villages will be using as they seek to build up covenants together and within their various communities.
We hope it might be helpful for you too.
Peace,
Carl
COVENANT
A scriptural reflection
Genesis 9:8-17
The Noahic Covenant - A restorative covenant with all of creation.
Among other stories, Noah's relationship with God helps define the ongoing promises God has for all of creation. Here is the story of destruction yes, but also of faithfulness in God and a pledge from God for things to be different. This is a promise sent to the whole world, like the promises made at Creation, and wrapped with a bow - multicolored and pointing any dangerous armaments away from the now healing world.
How do our covenants with people reflect broader covenants with Creation?
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Genesis 12:1-4
The Abrahamic Covenant - A specific covenant with one people for the explicit blessing of many people.
Along with the rather gruesome details of the sign of this covenant, the content of the covenant is perhaps the more surprising. Certainly there is a "choosing" happening here, there is a people and they are set apart for something. But that set-apartness is defined by their fidelity to God and their blessing of others because of that fidelity. These people and this covenant are an instrument of God's work in the world not a confining of that work.
How do we envision the effect our covenants will have on others?
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Exodus 19:1-6
The Mosaic Covenant - An unbelievable victorious covenant for a freed people.
There was a lot of grumbling in the desert. Those "fleshpots" in Egypt looked pretty good to a wandering people. But God's covenant with Israel, as announced, carried these people through hardship. It even promised some pretty good rewards on the other side. Some would say that the fulfillment of this covenant would ultimately come at the expense of others.
When do our promises with each other pull us away from or set us against the rest of the world - but in a healing or liberating way?
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Luke 22:14-23
The Jesus Christ Covenant - A transformative covenant in the midst of brokenness.
How many times do we turn away from the promises God grants us? The reality of the new covenant that Jesus announces is its enduring nature. God is one who continually frees humanity from sin. This is a covenant that recognizes brokenness and rejoices in God's power to deliver us from that brokenness. But, this covenant pulls a bit at the earlier examples - in this new covenant, rather than existing because of the people we have been, is a covenant that exists because of the people we can become through transformation in Jesus Christ.
How will/do our covenants engage brokenness?
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Want to discuss this in person?
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