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M. M. NINAN<br />
1. The covenant between two people of equal status. Abraham<br />
makes a covenant with Abhimelek in Gen 21:25-34. It could be a<br />
treaty of Peace between two Kings or two Knights. These<br />
covenants ended up usually with a feast. Marriage ceremonies<br />
are covenants between two families and we end this us in a<br />
feast.<br />
2. Then there is a covenant between a Superior with an Inferior.<br />
It could be a treaty between an Emperor and a King; a King and<br />
a vassal King etc. The covenants of God is made in this fashion.<br />
In this contract the document start with the declaration of the<br />
identity of the Superior Party and then goes on to grant<br />
concessions and grace to the Inferior Party.<br />
The covenant of God with Abraham is described in Gen 15<br />
where the covenant ceremony culminated in a sacrifice of a<br />
heifer, a she goat, a ram, a turtle and a pigeon. God himself<br />
goes between the sacrifices and makes his gracious offerings.<br />
The great covenant between God and Israel as a nation is found<br />
in Ex. 19-24. The covenant document starts: "I am the Lord your<br />
God, who brought you....." Of particular importance to us is the<br />
Sinaitic covenant - a covenant between God and his people, the<br />
Israel. The new covenant is simply the renewed version of the<br />
Old covenant and its fulfillment.<br />
The Sinaitic Covenant:<br />
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