A lot has been written and even movies made showing the importance of every word and that there can be hidden meaning in every word in the Bible. At the same time many things that are not hidden are not understood or ignored. Many have been taught to ignore the Bible’s own definition for terms.
There are several covenants in scripture. There is even a covenant of salt. The main two covenants though were made between God and Israel. The first covenant was made at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 19:1-8 “In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. And Moses went up unto God, and Yahweh called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which Yahweh commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that Yahweh hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto Yahweh.”
This was a marriage ceremony. Ezekiel 16, 23 as well as Isaiah 54:5, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 7:1-4 and more are all about this concept. Eventually thought God had enough of idolatry/adultery.
Jeremiah 3:8 “And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.”
Hosea shows that it was temporary and that God would remarry the House of Israel. After Christ’s death on the cross the remarriage would also include the House of Judah. That is when the new covenant or one could say remarriage covenant would be, as the Greek says, superimposed over the old covenant.
Hebrews 10:16 ” This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them”.
This covenant is also found in Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Hebrews 8:8-10. It is exclusive for The House of Judah and the House of Israel. Many think the Northern tribes ceased to exist after the Assyrian captivity, but God does not make promises to and covenants with people and break them. Israel had escaped from that captivity and had moved North and West as history shows.
Hosea 1:11 “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.”
Notice that the new covenant included God’s Law written on the heart of every Israelite. Those who say they are no longer under God’s Law, should be very careful. For saying we are no longer under the Law is equivalent to removing oneself from the new covenant. This is not a good thing.
Ephesians 2 shows the fulfillment under one head, Christ. This is with The House of Judah and some people the bible calls Gentiles who are those of the House of Israel. Actually it includes most of the twelve tribes. After the Assyrians moved Israel North, there was only a small remnant at Jerusalem and a few surrounding towns.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”