Biblical Culture #2: Covenants

Welcome to our study of the culture and exploration of the 7 major Biblical covenants! These lessons started in a very humble location as Hope was in the process of moving to a new home at the time.

This lesson explores the cultural background of covenants that have been practiced for thousands of years and the common symbols used to remind people of the covenants they are in. In future lessons we will dive into how God has used this process to create special and permanent connections with people throughout history.

This lesson unfolds the Marriage customs of Biblical times. Interestingly, these same marriage customs are still being practiced in many places in the Middle East today.

This lesson begins our discussions on how the Lord chose to unfold creation and His initial relationship with both Adam and Eve. Was there a covenant in Eden? You'll have to tune in to find out!

This lesson continues the study of how God's relationship with Adam and Eve laid the groundwork for all future interactions with mankind throughout human history.

This lesson explores what the world was like during the days of Noah, and why the Lord was left with no choice but to send the flood. We explore some unusual information regarding a unique group of people in the Bible described as Nephilim. Who were they and why do we need to know about them? Do they play a role in anything connected to Jesus? If so how and why?

This lesson works through why Noah was chosen specifically, how the Lord made adjustments to the animal kingdom and why. How does this inform us about how the Lord interacts with creation still today? How does this lay the groundwork for what Jesus will do later on in His 1st coming and eventually 2nd coming?

In this lesson we explore how the Lord now made a covenant with a specific group of people that narrows how the Lord will bring about salvation through a specific family line.

In this lesson we explore why it was both justified and right of God to require Abraham to offer up his son as a sacrifice. The reason may just surprise you. The connection to Jesus? Pretty amazing as well.

In this lesson we begin exploring how the Lord starts the process of rescuing and redeeming his people Israel from the bondage of slavery from Egypt. In an interesting twist, the Lord uses not just 1, but 2 forms of covenant to establish a special and forever relationship with them.

In this lesson we explore both God's promises to His people as well as His expectations of them as He prepares to take them into the Land He promised them.

In this lesson we are introduced to the geography of the Land of Israel. We discuss why God would choose THIS location (175 miles long x 75 miles wide) that is roughly the same size as New Jersey to be the epicenter of ALL Biblical events over the last 5,000 years and more! Why is this small piece of land so hotly fought over throughout the centuries, even still today? Why did God choose THIS place to put His people? Why did Jesus come here and not Rome or Egypt or New York?

In this lesson we look into the unusual farming laws God put in place for His land. Would the people have enough faith to follow these commands? Would they remain pure in their worship of ONLY the God of Creation? Or would they falter? What consequences did God say would be a result if they wandered from their calling and obligations?

In this lesson we explore why the Nation of Israel found themselves being conquered and exiled in Babylon for 70 years, and the prophetic consequences from these events that unfold both leading up to Jesus 1st coming and also His 2nd.

In this lesson we explore the special relationship King David had with the Lord and the specific promises He made to him in connection with the coming Messiah. Was Jesus meant to be just a sacrifice for our sins or is there more to the story?

In this lesson we explore the 7 "Branch Prophecies" from the Old Testament that give specific information about the Messiah that connects Him to the "Branch of Jesse", which is a term specifically referring to King David.

This final lesson pulls together how all the previous covenants are completed under Jesus both as the suffering servant and King.