Walton lays out God’s history of covenants in terms that I’d never heard before.
He concludes that the covenant made with Noah is separate from all the others, as it indicates no effort toward self-revelation. God had appeared to Noah and rescued him from the coming destruction. But it wasn’t yet time to introduce the plan that would culminate in Jesus.
That plan begins with Abraham, leading to this pattern —
* God makes a covenant with Abraham. God elects Abraham and his descendants to occupy the Promised Land and to bless the nations. God reveals himself through his promises.
* God is actively engaged with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and his 12 sons.
* There is a transition period while Israel lives in Egypt.
* God makes a covenant with Israel. God elects Israel as his nation among all other nations. God reveals his character through his Law.
* God is actively engaged with Moses, Joshua, and the judges.
* There is a transition period while the Ark of the Covenant leaves Israel, taking the very presence of God away from his people (1 Sam 4 – 2 Sam 6).
* God makes a covenant with David. God elects David’s dynasty to rule over his kingdom. God reveals himself through the Temple and through a king charged to serve as covenant administrator.
* God is actively engaged with David and his descendants on the throne of Israel and Judah.
* There is a transition period while Israel is in exile and the very presence of God departs from Jerusalem.
* God makes a covenant with the church through Jesus. God elects those who have faith in Jesus to bless the nations and to live with him in the New Heavens and New Earth. God reveals himself through Jesus.
* God is actively engaged with his people until Jesus returns.
Notice that each covenant is instituted with a failure of purpose, soon replaced by a victory.
Abraham could not have a son. Ishmael was rejected. But finally Isaac was born.
Israel worshipped a golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai and then soon refused to enter the Promised Land for lack of faith. But finally a generation was born that re-made the covenant with God (the book of Deuteronomy) and entered the Promised Land.
Israel demanded a king who could win battles, and they received Saul — but Saul failed to be a king who reflected the heart of God. He did not represent God to the people. And then David was anointed.
Jesus died on the cross. But then he was resurrected. There appeared to be a failure, but the failure became the victory.
