Topical Bible: Israel: Renew the Covenant

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The concept of renewing the covenant in the biblical narrative is a significant theme that underscores Israel's relationship with God. Throughout the Old Testament, the covenant serves as a foundational element of Israel's identity and spiritual journey. The renewal of the covenant is often depicted as a call to return to faithfulness, obedience, and the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Biblical Context

The covenant between God and Israel is first established with Abraham, reiterated with Isaac and Jacob, and formalized with Moses at Mount Sinai. This covenant is characterized by promises of land, descendants, and blessings, contingent upon Israel's obedience to God's laws and commandments. The renewal of the covenant typically occurs during times of national crisis, spiritual decline, or leadership transition, serving as a means to restore the people's commitment to God.

Key Instances of Covenant Renewal

1. Moses and the Israelites at Moab: As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses calls for a renewal of the covenant. In Deuteronomy 29:1, Moses reminds the people of the covenant made at Horeb and urges them to commit to the terms of the covenant anew: "These are the words of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant He had made with them at Horeb" .

2. Joshua at Shechem: After the conquest of Canaan, Joshua gathers the tribes of Israel at Shechem to renew their commitment to the covenant. Joshua 24:25 records this significant event: "On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and an ordinance" . This renewal serves as a reaffirmation of Israel's dedication to serving the LORD alone.

3. King Josiah's Reforms: During a period of spiritual decline, King Josiah initiates a religious reform and renews the covenant in the presence of the people. 2 Kings 23:3 describes this moment: "So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant" .

4. Ezra and Nehemiah: Following the Babylonian exile, the returnees under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah renew the covenant as part of their efforts to restore the community and its religious practices. Nehemiah 9:38 highlights this renewal: "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement in writing, and our leaders, Levites, and priests are affixing their seals to it" .

Theological Significance

The renewal of the covenant is a profound act of repentance and recommitment to God. It reflects the enduring nature of God's promises and the necessity for Israel to uphold their part of the covenantal relationship. This theme emphasizes the importance of obedience, the centrality of the law, and the need for communal and individual faithfulness.

Application for Believers

For contemporary believers, the renewal of the covenant serves as a reminder of the need for continual spiritual renewal and dedication to God's commandments. It calls for introspection, repentance, and a renewed commitment to live according to God's will, echoing the biblical call to "choose this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15).

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 29:1
These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Godly Reformation
... 'To make a covenant' probably means to renew the covenant, made long ... Of course, the
power of the kings of Israel and Judah to change the national religion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a godly reformation.htm

Ebenezer!
... I do not think the children of Israel could with heartier joy say "Ebenezer ... and that
our soul doth bless his name while we renew the covenant again this day ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... fulfilment of their conditions, and how a covenant which He ... and that our only remedy
is to renew continually our ... is a poor affair if, like Israel, our devotion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

Jeremiah
... He foresaw the time when the Lord would renew His covenant relationship with ... the
word of the Lord to His people was: "Return, thou backsliding Israel, . . ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... that doth sanctify you." "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep ... in a social
capacity, to enter into and renew, solemn covenant engagements with ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Of the Power and Authoritie Given to Synods.
... And Then so meeting and conferring together, may renew their covenant with God ... that
respect they appealed from every Synagogue and Court in Israel to the ...
/.../the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof/chap vi of the power.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... all the people renew the covenant with the God of their fathers; then he proceeded
more exactly in the work of reformation in Judah and Israel, keeping closely ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... With one accord the chastened and penitent of Israel and Judah were at last to renew
their covenant relationship with Jehovah of hosts, the God of their fathers ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

The Search that Always Finds
... from idols to a purely external recognition of God as the God of Israel. ... them to
pieces and make a bonfire of them; and then renew our covenant before God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the search that always finds.htm

"The House of Israel"
... Not by any temporary failure of Israel, however, was the ... with the sons of Levi"the
covenant which, if kept ... blessing"the Lord now offered to renew with those ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm