A covenant is like a treaty, alliance, or promise
In scripture a covenant is used to express the relationship between the Lord and the Israelites.
A covenant has conditions
The Israelites became God's 'Chosen People' and gained their freedom from slavery when they accepted the conditions of the covenant. The Israelites agreed to accept the Torah (think Old Testament), a set of instructions provided by the Lord on how to live their lives. At the core of the Torah are the Ten Words (Ten Commandments), which teach the Lord's people how to be free.
A covenant is sealed with a ceremony
"Then he [Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, 'All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.'" The covenant and its conditions are read and agreed upon in a ritual ceremony.
A covenant is celebrated with both parties present
The Sinai covenant is sealed with a ceremonial meal. Moses, Aaron, Na'dab, Abi'hu, and seventy elders of Israel (representing every nation known by Israel at the time), went up Mount Sinai to see God where they ate and drank a covenant meal.
- Mr. H.
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