covenants

In the Old Testament there were two kinds of covenants; those of promise (e.g., Gen 15) and those of law (e.g. Exo 24). These varied covenants fit under a simple structure of two overarching covenants, that of Grace and of Works. Therefore these multiple covenants can be viewed as ratifications of continuous overall covenant. That is, those covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel are all part of the covenant of Grace first promised in the garden (Ge 3.15).

This is important to understand so that we do not mistakenly begin to view the Old Testament as essentially the Law and the New Testament as essentially the Gospel. There is one Gospel (Gal 3.8), one plan of Salvation (Eph 1.4-6), and one common faith (Eph 4.4-6).

As Kim Riddlebarger writes;

The individual covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David foreshadowed as part of a larger covenantal structure the new covenant ratified by Christ's blood (Heb 10.11-18). The great redemptive events found throughout the Old Testament are unintelligible apart from this covenantal structure and an emphasis on God's promise of a coming Redeemer, who is also the covenant Mediator.

Adam was the first breaker of the Covenant of Works. He failed in perfect obedience anf received the consequence of such (Gen 2.17). This act of rebellion brought the curse of death upon all humanity. This has never been abrogated and for any of us to now be saved, someone must fulfill all of the terms of the original covenant (Mt 5.48; 1 Pet 1.16). Bad news - all of us are guilty of the same (Hos 6.7). Good news = Jesus Christ completely met all all of the requirements of the Covenant of Works in thought, word, and deed (Rom 5.12-21). And more so, overcoming the penalty of death is demonstrated in His resurrection as the Lord of Life (Rom .25).