Bethany Verrett 16 Apr
Promises, promises. They are easy to make and even easier to break. Often people get themselves into trouble because they make promises they cannot keep. God instituted a form of promise that held a greater sway, and had consequences if they were not kept. These promises were called covenants. They are major events through the Old Testament, have affected cultures into the present, and are important for unlocking some of the Bible’s most interesting passages.
The most prominent ones were between God and man, though people created their own ways of creating and enforcing them. Over time, they became less used between people, though the covenantal acts of marriage and circumcision are still common, even if people do not recognize their significance as easily. Understanding the nature of covenants as a sacred promise between individuals, humanity, and God opens up ways of understanding the Bible, its history, and how people can re