MAJOR ELEMENTS
OF BIBLE COVENANTS


GOD'S REVISED COVENANT WITH ADAM


        As stated, the first covenant with Adam was confirmed on the basis of Adam's sinless state and was not a covenant of redemption. The revised covenant with Adam, however, was indeed a covenant of redemption.

I. GOD'S REVISED COVENANT OFFER TO ADAM

        This revised covenant offer was tendered by God's statements of judgment upon Satan, Eve, Adam, and Adam’s descendants, the slaying of clean animals, God's making clothes for Adam and Eve of the animal skins, His putting them out of the garden of Eden, and putting cherubim (plural) at the entrance to the garden. Each of these actions was very meaningful and was obviously accompanied by considerable instruction to Adam, Eve, and for us.
        For instance, although nothing is said here (in Gen 3) about animal sacrifices as an instruction filled requirement for acceptable worship of God, still Abel's offerings (Gen 4), Noah's offerings (Gen 8:20-21), and the whole Bible filled with instructions concerning such offerings, the Scriptures thereby make it obvious that God gave Adam and Eve sufficient and clear instructions on this occasion and thereafter for them to know full well this method of worship and the meaning of it.
        The Scriptures show in many ways that God intends for His covenant people to be well informed as to how to worship and obey Him. Observe Abraham's pattern of worship, for another instance. As he moved from place to place Abraham immediately, without repeated instruction so far as we can read, built an altar and offered animal sacrifices. The instructions were properly demonstrated and carefully handed down from faithful parent to faithful children, so that the true worship method remained pure and steadfast, though only with a minority of the descendants.

A. Covenant Work Description.

        Just how much of the covenant work description was immediately revealed to Adam is not clear, certainly enough for Adam and Eve to worship God and serve Him acceptably according to the covenant. Much of the instructions God give Adam were purposely not written in the Scriptures in order to make the Scriptures less attractive to later human wisdom and discernable only through the eyes of faith and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Obviously God gave considerably more instructions to Adam than is written in Genesis 3, and very little is said about the enormous amount of information God must have given to Enoch, for instance, during the 300 years God walked with him.
        God has His reasons for hiding the mysteries of the kingdom (Eph 3:1-5) and for Jesus speaking in parables, Mat 13:10-17. This is a part of the "snare" and "trap" of which David spoke (Rom 11:8-10) -- God has taken the wise in their own craftiness, 1Co 3:19. God has laid many destructive snares in the Scriptures for those of us who are lazy, careless, dishonest, deceitful, unholy, selfish, lustful, worldly, etc. We are immeasurable and eternal losers by every sin we commit and for every wasted hour we spend not praying, studying the Scriptures, and diligently seeking the knowledge of the Lord.

  1. God's Part of the Covenant Work.
    1. Give Adam and Eve sufficient instructions concerning their covenant work description -- considerably more than we read in Genesis.
    2. Give Adam and Eve sufficient instructions about their sinful condition, the immediate and far reaching effects and results of sin, the provisions for salvation with regard to hell and also for covenant salvation of the life, and redeeming the time for the days are evil (the normal sin-enslaved human use of time is evil).
    3. Give instructions concerning daily worship of God, the proper method of worship, forgiveness of sins, of the prophetic meaning of the sacrifices, of their association with the sacrifices, of their nakedness, and of their being clothed with the skins of the sacrifices -- study the symbolic significance of "nakedness," "garments," "washing garments," and “whole body washings”, Lev 15 (many such passages); Mt 22:12; Rev 3:4-5,17-18; 7:14; 16:15; 19:7-8; 22:14; et al.
    4. Give instructions regarding the firstborn with the birthright, and the relation of the firstborn to the other sons. Abel's offering of the "firstlings" (the firstborn lambs) signaled the prophetic emphasis God gave to Adam of a chosen and predestined "firstborn" nation of firstborn people over and above all other peoples or nations. The firstborn with the birthright is a matter of cardinal significance.
    5. Give sufficient warnings concerning covenant violations and appropriate judgments. Most of the Bible, by far, is dedicated to the covenant people living separated, holy lives, God's blessings on those who live such lives, and His punishments on those who do not.
    6. Serve as God and Judge of all covenant work performance as well as all non-covenant works, including all the works of non-covenant peoples.
    7. Hear and give permission or reject Satan's requests to tempt the covenant people, and also all other matters with regard to the covenant people and also the nations, 1Ch 21:1; Job 1:6; 2:1; Luk 22:31-32; Rev 12:10; Dan 10:12-21.
    8. Hear Satan's accusations against the covenant people (Rev 12:10), but also hear Christ's intercessions in response to Satan's accusations, Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25.
    9. Hear the intercessions of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26-27,34; Heb 7:25), the intercessions of the covenant priests, have the angels open the books and read the covenants and other records, make decisions accordingly, command actions to be taken, and require the court of heaven to record all actions according to covenant stipulations, Psa 56:8; 139:16; Ecc 12:13-14; Dan 7:9-10; Mal 3:16; 2Co 5:10; Eph 1:4,11; Rev 11:18; 13:8; 20:11-15.
    10. Reveal the excellences of His Person to all living creatures:
      1. Through His Son, Joh 14:6-11: Col 2:9; Heb 1:3-12.
      2. Through angels, Gen 3:24; Dan 7:9-10; Eze 1; II Th 1:7-9.
      3. Through men, Heb 11; 1Co 15:1-2,44-45; Jud 14-15.
      4. Through nature, Gen 3:17-19; 6:17; 19; Exo 5-10.
    11. Reveal exceeding sinfulness of sin, Rom 1:21-32; 7:8-25.
    12. Reveal covenant information and knowledge, Deu 4:6-8; 29:29; Psa 25:14; 103:7; 147:19-20Phi 2:11; Luk 2:40,46-49; 4:22; Joh 5:19-20,30; 16:7-15; Eph 1:17-23; 3:1-11,18-19; 2Ti 3:15-17; 2Pe 1:1-21.
    13. Insure that all covenant stipulations are precisely fulfilled. This means that His counsel, purpose, and pleasure are infinitely fulfilled, all of which are included in the master covenant before creation, Isa 46:9-11.
    14. Visit, fellowship, and teach Adam and his descendants what they need to know, Gen 3:8-24; 4:1-16; 5:22; 6:9; Heb 11.
    15. Protect them, accept their worship, bless them according to covenant stipulation when they obey Him, and punish them also according to covenant prescription, Gen 4:1-7; 5:22; 6:9; Heb 11:7; 12:1-11.
    16. Appoint family priests together with firstborn and birthright laws to govern governmental and societal interrelations, Gen 4:1-7; 25:5-6; 27:27-37. For family priests see Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Melchizedek, Job, his four friends, Jethro, and Balaam.
    17. Visit one or more of the covenant people at various times through theophanies, visions, dreams, and angels in order to instruct, fellowship, bless, or execute punishment.
    18. Conceal Himself from physical eyes, except to reveal His eternal existence and Godhead indirectly by the Holy Spirit through His creation (Psa 19:1-6; Joh 1:9; Act 14:16-17; 17:26-27) to the extent that no rational person will have an excuse for not being saved, Rom 1:18-20.
    19. Maintain the earth as an inhabitable place for all physical living creatures and monitor all events to the most minute detail, Act 14:16-17; Mat 6:25-34; 10:29-31.
    20. Generally permit the nations to go their own way and do their own thing to their own hurt until Christ's return at the end of six thousand years, Act 14:16-17; Rom 1:20-32; Act 3:19-21.
    21. Meticulously oversee and guide the course of nature and the times and boundaries appointed beforehand for the rise and fall of nations and kingdoms so that His counsel and purpose are accomplished on schedule, not only in general but also in the most minute matters, Dan 4:30-32; Isa 46:9-11; Act 17:26-27; Eph 1:11.
  2. Adam's and His Descendant's Part of the Covenant Work.
    1. Listen with greatest care to God's covenant instructions, study them with great diligence daily, pray fervently for understanding, and obey those covenant instructions precisely and with urgent vigilance.
    2. Worship God with animal sacrifices as the covenant prescribes to portray the future death of Christ for covenant Redemption, Gen 3:21; 4:1-7; Heb 11:4; Joh 1:29; 1Pe 1:18-20.
    3. Worship God by faithfully performing all the covenant requirements, Gen 4:1-7; Jos 1:5-9.
    4. Worship God by faithfully teaching and training the children in such a way as to maintain a clear knowledge and practice of covenant requirements, Gen 4:1-7; Deu 6:4-9.
    5. Be a brother's keeper by loving and aiding the brethren (and everyone else), speaking directly of covenant promises and laws to everyone as appropriate at all times, resisting evil and all non-covenant speech and activities, and encouraging peace and good will within the covenant atmosphere at all times with everybody. We can be sure that this frame of mind was required in all the covenants, just as certainly as in the Law Covenant (Deu 6:1-9; 28; Jos 1:5-9) or the New Covenant, Heb 2:1-3; 3; 4.

B. God's Command to Adam to Begin Covenant Work Performance.

        God rebuked Adam and Eve for their sin, pronounced judgments upon them, killed clean animals, made clothes for Adam and Eve with the skins of the animals, and drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden. Considerable time and instructions were put into this process. Obviously this was the time to teach Adam and Eve how to worship Him with animal sacrifices, why do so, and what it all meant. Let us itemize some of the things clearly involved as evidenced by Abel's offering (Gen 4:1-10) and related scriptures:

        1. Animal Sacrifices must be used in worship of God.

        2. Forgiveness of Sins is by the shedding of blood and the taking of life in view of salvation from hell.

        3. Daily forgiveness of Sins is by the shedding of blood and the taking of life in view of salvation of ones daily life -- One cannot lose salvation from hell, but he can lose his covenant standing (covenant salvation of one’s life), Rom 11:11-22; Joh 15:1-6; Gal 5:1-4; Heb 2:3.

        4. Covenant Standing and Daily Forgiveness of Sins brings the covenant people into the firstborn sonship of Christ, Exo 4:22-23; Heb 12:23; Rom 11:11-22; Joh 15:1-6; Gal 4:21--5:5.

        5. Abel Was Careful to Offer the "Firstlings" (Firstborn Lambs) of the Flock, Gen 4:4; Heb 11:4. This was not an accidental, arbitrary, happen-chance action on Abel's part. Abel knew what God required through the covenant and he knew what he was doing. He did precisely what the covenant required and God blessed him for it.

        6. The Firstborn Son Was Granted a Birthright of Astronomical Significance (absolutely no exaggeration). Abraham gave gifts to the other sons, but "gave all he had to Isaac" (Gen 25:5-6), then sent the other sons "away from Isaac his son" -- his "only begotten" covenant son, Gen 22:2. Those who qualify for the firstborn sonship of Christ will inherit "ALL things" jointly with Christ -- not just a “double portion” of what the other sons will get. The other sons will be given a little cabin outside of glory land -- outside the New Jerusalem, Rev 21.

        7. God Accepted Abel's "Firstlings" Offering, Bearing Witness that Abel Was Righteous (Justified), Gen 4:4; Heb 11:4. Abel was clearly saved before this occasion. Cain was a forerunner of worldly Christians today who are in a true church of firstborn ones who have the birthright but forfeit it. Abel was Jacob's example. Both Abel and Jacob understood what the birthright really signified, not just the temporary possession in this life, but the eternal covenant inheritance -- a covenant promise of firstborn inheritance with the true firstborn Lamb of God.

        8. Abel's Offerings and God's Acceptance of It Both Testified that Abel Was Already Righteous. Before bringing the offerings he unequivocally had observed this kind of offering many times, had carefully analyzed its significance, and being spiritually minded (as Jacob later was) had set his heart on this eternal prize and therefore sought out the choice "firstlings" of the flock and brought them with steadfast "faith" and offered them precisely as all the covenants have stipulated. That is why he is numbered with the giants in the honor roll of the faithful, and that is why Gen 4:4 and Heb 11:4 are given such emphasis.

        9. The "Firstlings" (Firstborn Ones) of Abel's Offering Signify the Same Things as the Covenants and All the Covenant Promises: firstborn sonship, justification, sanctification, redemption, glorification, inheritance, rulership, etc. Some eighty of them are enumerated in the back of this book. Although we do not read them as such in the covenant with Adam, all these promises are included in that covenant and all the other covenants, except those with the angels and Satan.

        10. Cain Lost His Birthright and Its Blessings to Abel by Not Bringing the Firstborn Lambs, even after God gave him a second chance. The “lambs” spoke of the shedding of the blood of Christ, while the “firstborn” lambs spoke of Christ as God’s Firstborn, and also of the faithful covenant being brought into the firstborn sonship of Christ. This is what “partaking of Christ” (Heb 3:14) and “constantly eating of Christ’s flesh and drinking of Christ’s blood” mean, Joh 6:27-67

II. COVENANT ACCEPTANCE BY ADAM AND EVE

        Adam and Eve believed and obeyed, worshiped God, offered the required sacrifices, taught their children, and strove to maintain their covenant work requirements as prescribed, Gen 4:1-7; Heb 11:1-7.

III. COVENANT LEGALITY

        God is perfect in righteousness, Mt 5:48. All His ways, His works, and indeed His Word (in Its entirety) express His covenants and are all righteous and perfect altogether. "...God is light and in Him is no darkness at all," 1Jo 1:5; Psa 18:30,32; 19:7.

IV. COVENANT CAPACITY

        Adam and his descendants were able by grace through faith to perform the covenant work requirements. "By grace through faith" means the Holy Spirit will work through the covenant people as long as they are willing. The "to will” and the "to do" were also the working of the Holy Spirit, so long as the covenant people did not refuse the working of the Holy Spirit in their minds directing their lives. The Holy Spirit worked in the minds of the common covenant people in the Old Testament to serve God in the same way He works on (or in) the minds of lost people to bring them to initial salvation, or in the same way a doctor performs surgery on the inside of a person while he is on the outside.

V. COVENANT CONSIDERATION

        Covenant consideration to Adam and his descendants was expressed in the form of covenant PROMISES too numerous to be included in every covenant -- see the last chapter of this booklet.

VI. COVENANT RATIFICATION BY ADAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS

        Adam and Eve ratified the covenant by faith obedience: they believed and obeyed God. They continued to walk by grace through faith, performing the covenant requirements and teaching thier children so that Abel believed and worshiped God very meaningfully with the proper sacrifices, the shedding of blood, and the resulting death which pictured the true sacrifice and death of Christ, Gen 4:1-7; Heb 11:4; Joh 1:29; 1Pe 1:18-20.