Shepherd the Flock

Why do we term our basic understanding of scripture as ‘Covenant Theology’? What is meant by this term? Why do we stress studying the covenants of scripture specifically, rather than just ‘dispensations’ or biblical history in general?

I think the paragraphs below, particularly the last one, aptly demonstrates how biblical history is bound up and structured as a whole through God’s covenants with man. The structure and unity of the Bible from beginning to end, I believe, can only be properly understood by examining the covenants and their role in the final consummation of the Kingdom of God ruled by our Lord Jesus Christ.

“…I AM’s refreshing initiatives and these faithful leaders are usually associated with I AM’s epoch-shaping covenants, wherein He obligates Himself, sometimes unconditionally and at other times conditionally, to His people’s keeping the ethical obligations He imposes upon them. Moshe Weinfeld affirms that “the idea of a covenant between a deity and a people is unknown to us from other religions and cultures” and “the covenantal idea was a special feature of the religion of Israel.

“To Eve He unconditionally obligated Himself to give her an offspring who would crush humankind’s Adversary. To Noah, because he proved himself faithful, He promised unconditionally never again to destroy the earth. To Abraham, because he too obeyed God, He promised unconditionally to give him an eternal seed and land. Through the mediation of Moses, God obligated Himself conditionally to bless Israel. To David, also because of his prior demonstration of faith, He unconditionally covenanted to give an eternal house, kingdom, and throne.

“…As for the prophets, Israel’s memories of these epochs, personalities, and covenants lay the foundation for the prophetic expectation that Israel’s history will culminate in a greater epoch, which they often referred to as “in that day.” In that day, I AM, Israel’s covenant keeping King, promises to restore His universal rule through His covenant people. Through Jeremiah and other prophets, God indebted Himself unconditionally to make a new covenant whereby Israel would obey God from their hearts and so meet the obligations of the Mosaic covenant and be blessed…In that day, the prophets announced, all people will worship God on Mount Zion, learn His law, and beat their swords into plow tips.

“…The covenants attached to these epochal events are described in ways that bring out their continuity with the concerns, themes, and trajectories of the founding moment. As noted, the seed promised to Eve is foundational to all the covenants in making God’s kingdom [my note here: the author is referring to the Covenant of Grace]. The Noahic covenant guarantees a firm stage on which God can build His kingdom. The Abrahamic covenant identifies the covenant people and the land that will sustain them. The Mosaic covenant articulates the teachings or law that will bind the nation together under God’s rule. The Davidic covenant provides the nation with the unchanging political leadership necessary for God’s theocracy to be firmly established.” – Bruce Waltke, An Old Testament Theology, P148-149