Life: God chooses a people

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for June 9 focuses on Genesis 12:1-7; 15:5-8, 13-17.

Although the word “covenant” typically is not used in our daily vocabulary, we are familiar with the concept. We make marriage covenants, covenants within our religious body or have read about treaties between sovereign political powers. A covenant refers to a binding and solemn agreement made by two or more parties.

There are two types of covenants, conditional and unconditional. In a conditional covenant, both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. In an unconditional covenant, two parties still are involved, but only one party has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party involved.

God asks for obedience and loyalty from Abraham and the people of Israel. That is their part of the covenant. However, throughout Scripture, we see God hold up his end of the covenant in spite of people’s disobedience and wandering.

Sealing a covenant

In ancient times, parties solidified covenants by walking down an aisle between pieces of slaughtered animals. This symbolized their promise and expressed the sentiment they too would be slaughtered if they did not keep their oath. In Genesis 15:17, we see a torch passed between the pieces signifying God’s commitment to uphold the covenant. Abram never was asked to walk through the animals. God’s covenant was unconditional.

God’s covenant with Abram was put in place to establish a relationship. Yahweh promised protection and blessing, while Israel promised obedience and loyalty. John H. Walton argues the primary purpose of the covenant was not just establishing a relationship, but ultimately the covenant was about revelation. People cannot enter into a relationship with a God they do not know. From the beginning, all the way to Calvary, God shows his people who he is and what he desires. He clearly tells them the things he loves and the things he hates, so they know him. Walton says, “The objective of revelation was a necessary step to reach the goal of relationship.”

God’s covenant included a three-fold promise to Abram. First, God would bless Abram by providing care and protection. Second, Abram would provide care and protection for those in his favor. Third, God would bring blessing to other people through Abram’s family. As God’s people today, we still have a role to play.

First, we are recipients of grace. Abram was a recipient of grace, as we are today. We have been given salvation as the ultimate expression of grace, but the very fact that God chose to reveal himself to us is also a gift of grace.

Inscrutable gods

For example, the Babylonian people did not know their gods. They did not know what made them happy or what made them sad, yet they lived their lives trying to please them. If the gods were happy, they would send rain and good fortune, but if they were angry, there would be famine and destruction. The Babylonians spent their lives trying to pray the right words and make the right choices in order to find favor. There was no revelation, so there was no way to please.

But the God of Israel spoke. He revealed himself to Abram, to Israel and to the world through his covenant. Because of his grace, he opened himself up to be known by his creation. We must never take for granted the gift of grace our God has extended to us in letting us know his heart, his character and his desires. Without his word, we would not know him.

Second, we are dispensers of that grace. God blessed Abram by making himself known, and God commanded Abram to be a channel of that grace to the rest of the world. We were not made to be collectors of grace, but dispensers of grace. We have been forgiven, so we should forgive. God has provided for us, so we should provide for others. We do not deserve blessing, so we should bless those who are undeserving. Many Christians today are all about telling the world about Christ and his saving grace but are far less likely to be living and extending grace in their actions.

God’s covenant with Abraham was the very beginning of a relationship and revelation that continues today. May we be recipients and dispensers of grace in all we say and do.