Religon: Concept of a covenant (Essay Sample)

Concept of a covenant
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In most ancient communities, dating back to the time of Abraham, covenants were common aspect of life as they were regularly made. Covenants in ancient times were as common as business contracts, international treaties and legislative decisions today. They were made between individuals, tribes, and nations, and they were entered for the purposes of protection, strength, and prosperity (Holy Bible,2001). These covenants often involved a promise of blessings such as abundance in harvest, wealth or many children. What we refer to as the Old and the New Testament could be easily referred to as a covenant. In the Bible, the old covenant was made between God and Abraham as it is well described from chapter 1 of Genesis. God promised Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved and they would later fill the earth (Berlin, Brettler, & Fishbane, 2004). .
Covenants at that time established strong binding contract between men whenever they were made. In the Bible however, the covenants were more like a commitment to a relationship as there was no negotiation on God’s and human covenants. The people who were involved in covenants had to show a strong responsible character to be considered fit for making the covenant. For example Abraham showed a lot of faith in God and a strong influence towards his people ((Berlin, Brettler, & Fishbane, 2004). 
After the covenant with God, Abraham and later Israelites and Ishmaelites had some responsibilities to fulfill the promise made by Abraham to God. First his descendants were to follow the ritual circumcision as part of the agreement between God and Abraham. Circumcision was the obligation Abraham’s people had to adhere to under his covenant. If they did it by faith, then they would have full access to God’s promises and through this, he reconfirmed this covenant made in Genesis 15. One of the benefits that they had from the covenant is that as God had promised Abraham, he made nations and kings emerge from sons of Abraham. His blessings were passed on to his children (Cox, 2008).
God choose Abraham out of all other men on earth to become the father of his selected people of Israel. God spoke to him (Abraham) and told him to go to a far place away from home and that God would show him a new place. Abraham believed and showed his faith in God; he did not hide his faith to his children, wife and even his workers. In him, God saw a man who would personally take responsibility for those placed under his care and would make sure they did as God willed them to do. A man who would enforce the Lord’s way to his household to lead them into doing what was right. Neither did he see a man who would vade responsibility by making excuses but rather a man who would take responsibility. He also saw a man who would not seek his own pleasure at the expense of others. These very unique qualities made God see a man who would not only make a covenant with him but one who would also lead his people as he wished. Due to this, God saw an opportunity in him, to make him the father of his chosen tribe (Essex, 1999).
The development and spread of religion is said to be a significant yet fascinating dimension of human civilization. Different religions have different explanations as to how they came to be. Most of these religions do not have any connection at all. Three religions; Christianity, Jewish, and Muslim referred to as monotheistic (believe in one God) can trace their roots to the father of nations Abraham. Even though in different ways, Abraham unites these three religions.
Christianity and Jews have the same historical account of Abraham even though Christianity goes further to make a conclusion in view of his interaction with God during the making of the covenant. Christians see Abraham as a divine plan who led to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God’s love to his people was so great that in the covenant with Abraham he promised to people a savior who would come from Abraham’s lineage (Niehaus, 1995).
Abraham’s connection Islam is through Ishmael. Through Ishmael, The K...