Day 1 – What is a Covenant?

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,’ says the Lord. ‘I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33 (NLT)

Generations before Jesus Christ was born, God gave this prophetic word to the prophet Jeremiah about the new covenant which was to be established through the Messiah. Up until this time, there were already 5 covenants made between God and his chosen people. But what exactly is a covenant, you might wonder? And what is the big deal?

The Hebrew word for covenant is “Brit” and is found 234 times in the Tanakh (Old Testament). It implies a contract, pact, treaty, or agreement and carries the connotation of shedding blood.

When my eldest was just four, we lived in the Western Cape. Not having found our “wind legs” yet, the South Easter wind blew her over and she bumped her nose. Whilst trying to stop the blood running freely from her little, button nose, I thought she was crying because she was hurt. But in between the sobs she managed to choke out: “My life is running out…” From a very young age, she understood the meaning of blood.

Blood is the symbolic representation of life and so sacred before God. In sealing the covenants God made with His created and chosen people it was sealed with the flow of blood. With each beautiful covenant God gave a promise. So, a covenant is the integration of God’s promise and the sacredness of live (blood), sealing the divine Word of God to be carried into eternity.

Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us the importance of the covenants You made with us. We don’t always understand the depth of the promise and eternal value it carries. Today, oh Lord, remind us how precious our lives are to you, from the tiniest drop of blood to the deepness of our spirits. Thank You for deeming us so loved that You made these covenantal promises with us, Your people. Amen.

Let us pray with you at prayer@womenoftheword.co.za

Take a peek at our shop www.womenoftheword.co.za