What other biblical examples show the consequences of breaking covenants with others? Staying mindful of the Gibeonite lesson 2 Samuel 21 shows how Saul’s violence against the Gibeonites violated Israel’s sworn treaty (Joshua 9). Three years of famine followed. Scripture keeps repeating the same warning: break a covenant, and consequences always follow. Why covenant breaches matter • A covenant is more than a contract; it is a sworn, witnessed bond. • God Himself stands behind every righteous promise (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5; Psalm 15:4). • Because He is faithful, He expects faithfulness from His people, whether the agreement is vertical (with Him) or horizontal (with other people). Other biblical case studies of broken covenants 1. Adam and Eve – the first covenant broken • Genesis 2:16-17 gave a clear term; Genesis 3 records the breach. • “On the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) • Consequences: spiritual death, separation from God, and a cursed ground (Genesis 3:17-19). 2. Laban and Jacob – family deceit brings strife • Laban agreed to give Rachel, then substituted Leah (Genesis 29:18-25). • Ongoing mistrust, twenty bitter years, and eventual separation (Genesis 31:41-42). • Jacob says, “God has seen my affliction… and last night He rebuked you.” (Genesis 31:42). 3. Achan’s theft – breaking Israel’s corporate vow • All Israel had devoted Jericho’s spoil to the LORD (Joshua 6:18-19). • Achan secretly kept some of it (Joshua 7:1). • “Therefore the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies… I will not continue with you unless you remove… what is devoted.” (Joshua 7:12). Defeat at Ai and Achan’s execution followed. 4. The outrage at Gibeah – hospitality covenant ignored • In Judges 19, the men of Gibeah abused a guest, violating Israel’s sacred duty of protection. • Civil war erupted; Benjamin was almost annihilated (Judges 20). 5. Zedekiah’s oath to Babylon – political covenant despised • Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah swear by God (2 Chronicles 36:13). • Zedekiah rebelled; God called it covenant breaking. • “I will bring down on his head My oath that he despised and My covenant that he broke.” (Ezekiel 17:19). Jerusalem fell in 586 BC. 6. Treachery in marriage – Malachi’s rebuke • “The LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth… she is your wife by covenant.” (Malachi 2:14). • God withholds blessing from husbands who deal treacherously (Malachi 2:13, 16). 7. Irreverence at the Lord’s Table – a New-Covenant warning • Believers pledge unity in Christ by sharing Communion. • “Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:29-30). Physical illness and death show covenant seriousness even now. Take-home observations • Every example highlights two certainties: God notices broken promises, and He acts. • The fallout may be personal (illness, family turmoil), communal (defeat, famine, exile), or national (destruction of Jerusalem). • Faithfulness safeguards life and blessing; unfaithfulness invites judgment. Living it out today • Guard your words—let “yes” mean yes (Matthew 5:37). • Honor marriage, business agreements, church commitments, and civic oaths as sacred trusts. • When a covenant has been broken, swift repentance and restitution open the door for mercy, just as David sought to make things right with the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:3-6). |
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