Day 2 – Edenic Covenant

“The Lord God placed man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, ‘You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden –except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:15-17 NLT

In Scripture, we find two different types of covenants God makes with people. Some are unconditional covenants, which God will keep regardless of human actions. Others are conditional – people must obey the terms of the covenant to receive the promises related to it. The first covenant God made directly with man was in the Garden of Eden.

The Edenic Covenant (also known as the Covenant of Works) is an example of a conditional covenant because of Adam’s requirement to obey and not suffer the consequences of breaking it. Though it is not explicitly called a covenant in the book of Genesis, it is later referred to as such in Hosea 6:7 “But like Adam, they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me” (ESV)

The verdict of Adam and Eve’s transgression in Eden was banishment. But before their exile, God Himself sacrificed an animal (first shed of blood) to clothe them and cover their shame. “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” Genesisn3:21 (NLT) This action following the covenant plays an important role in the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption, as it highlights humans’ inability to maintain a righteous living. The Edenic Covenant is a prognostication of salvation through Jesus Christ and the restoration of the relationship between God and His created people.

Prayer: Father, I’ve read Genesis many times and never realized Your plan of salvation and our eternity with You was already set in place with this first covenant. Thank You Abba for showing us Jesus through this covenant reminding us of our eternal victory and that You, Jesus are truly the Alpha and Omega, the Genesis and Revelation. I am just a sinner Lord, and today I humbly ask that You will clothe me with the sacrifice which was Jesus and I say thank You for the promise at the heart of this covenant. Amen.

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