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Ephesians 1:3–7
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4a).
The word covenant is scattered throughout the Bible. We find God making covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and others. We see references to the “ark of the covenant.” We observe Jesus making a “new covenant” in His blood. Even in our studies in Joshua, we have seen God accuse Achan of violating the covenant (7:11) and observed a curious ceremony we characterized as a “covenant renewal” (8:30–35). What is the meaning of this word, and what is the significance of covenants in Scripture? To find out, we will spend the next week and a half studying the Bible’s various covenants with the help of Dr. R.C. Sproul’s audio tape series The Drama of Redemption.
A biblical covenant is an agreement or pact that God makes with an individual or group. It is important to note that such covenants are not negotiated by equals; God sets the terms, making promises and outlining His expectations for those who would receive His blessings. But God’s covenants are not random affairs. Indeed, all of redemptive history is structured by covenants, and each successive one expands His revelation of His plans to save a people for Himself.
The first divine covenant is not recorded first in Scripture. In fact, it is not mentioned explicitly in Scripture at all. And yet, all the Bible’s covenants are built on it, and it explains all of God’s actions through history to redeem fallen human beings. This is the covenant of redemption. This agreement to redeem a people has existed from all eternity among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We can infer the existence of such a covenant on the basis of the attributes of God. First, He does not change; He is now, and therefore always has been, a redeeming God. Second, He is omnipotent; His plan to redeem has never been thwarted and never will be. Thus, redemption of a people through Christ has been His plan from the beginning. Also, we can infer the covenant of redemption by the fact that all three members of the Trinity are shown in Scripture to be active in redemption. The Father provides the initial impetus for redemption by sending the Son. The Son makes the payment for redemption. The Spirit applies the redemption secured by Christ to God’s people. All the other covenants of the Bible build on the covenant of redemption as God carries out His eternally planned work in time and space.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The Bible makes clear that God set a plan of redemption from all eternity, and not just a vague plan, but an exquisitely detailed plan to save individuals. He knew you before you were ever conceived, and if you are a believer it is because He determined it would be so. Read the verses below and pray through each one with praise for His mercy.
For Further Study
- Psalm 139:15–16
- Jeremiah 1:5
- 1 Peter 1:2