THE LAW OF FIRST MENTION: COVENANT

The term “covenant” refers to a binding, formal agreement between two parties … a treaty, pact, or contract.

The first mention of a “covenant” is found in the sixth chapter of Genesis. After God pronounced judgment upon creation, He established a covenant with Noah. “Understand that I am bringing a flood—floodwaters on the earth to destroy every creature under heaven with the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives” (Genesis 6:17–18).

The details of the covenant came later. “I establish my covenant with you that never again will every creature be wiped out by floodwaters; there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth … This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: I have placed my bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:11-13).

The Noahic Covenant is the first of several that God established with His servants. Other covenants include the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3; 13:14–17; 15:1–8; 17:1–8), the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:5; 20:1–31:18), the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:5–19), and finally, the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:7–12; Luke 22:20).

God’s promise to save Noah, prefigures the New Covenant in Christ by which we receive eternal salvation in Christ. In granting the Noahic Covenant, God stooped down to meet the needs of His unworthy servant and graciously promised salvation from the deadly effects of sin. “Just step into the ark” God said, “and I will keep you safe in the storm!”

Have you stepped into the life-saving ark of God’s grace?

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).