We see God’s faithfulness promised to Noah. You might miss this if you are not reading closely because the word faithfulness is not used here, but the word covenant is. Genesis 6: 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.[1] Here is the promise of the covenant, although we will not get the details until chapter eight.
What is a covenant? Secular sources would say that a covenant is a binding agreement or a contract. We know in this sinful world that people often break contracts. God’s covenants are different. In Scripture, God initiates a promise and will always be faithful to it. A covenant relationship is not merely a mutual acquaintance but a commitment to responsibility and action. Another definition of covenant is faithfulness, which is acted out in the context of abiding friendship.[2]
Other Examples of Covenant
God made a covenant with Abraham. Genesis 12: 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”[3]
God promised Israel there would be blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The Lord remained faithful, but His people did not. Jeremiah received the promise of a new covenant. Jeremiah 31: 33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” 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.[4]
The New Covenant
Jesus was the one who brought us the new covenant. Luke 22: 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you[5]
Hebrews 9: 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them.[6]
God’s faithfulness promised to Noah continues throughout Scripture even though human faithfulness to God fails. Despite humanity’s failing, God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins and give us the promise of a restored relationship and eternity with Him forever. May you experience God’s faithfulness in a new way.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-in-a-faithless-world
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ge 6:17–18). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Covenant. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 531). Baker Book House.
[3-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.