What do covenants tell us about God?

In today's installment of my contribution to the Growing At Valley blog, I consider Genesis 16-19 and why God makes covenants.

Genesis 16-19

Why does God make covenants? He is the Creator, making not just something from nothing but everything from nothing (Genesis 1-2). Surely a being with such power and majesty need not bind Himself to man by entering into agreements with him. Indeed God does not need to do this, but He does so anyway. Why?

God enters into covenants to reveal more of His character to us. You see, relationship is central to the Christian life. In the beginning of everything, even before time itself, the three persons of the Godhead existed in perfect, eternal relationship to one another (Athanasian Creed). In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed the presence and company of God, who when walking through the garden might call out to them if He didn't see them (Genesis 3: 8-9). And even after sin entered the world and man was cast out from the garden, we can once again have eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not eternity in a vacuum, however; it's eternity in relationship with God.

And so in Genesis 17, we see God enter into a covenant with Abram. Not just any covenant, either, but a sweeping bond in which God promises "I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" (v. 7-8).

By so doing, God reveals more not only of the relational aspect of His character but also of His redemptive plan. God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises (Psalm 111, Psalm 145:13, John 8:26, Titus 1:2, etc.), and as we meditate on these truths, our hearts cannot help but be moved to worship.