Mankind is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)1. Man was designed to be His image bearer, as a result we are to reflect God’s character responsibly by mirroring His image. This introduces the situation of “covenants” where a sovereign power assures promises of protection to a weaker element (mankind), the weaker element has certain responsibilities, such as representing His Sovereignty (God) and doing it in the express way that models His character. Likened to mirrors, which do not make changes to the image, rather they are a perfect reflection of that image. To stay in that perfect covenant relationship, man was to live in harmony with God. Unfortunately, man violated that covenant.
The next logical question is “What is the character of God?” The expressed character of God, according to scripture, is love (1 John 4:8)2. Naturally man is to embrace the character of God which gets more and more explained as the Scripture unfolds. God prepared man to bear His image by making mankind perfect, innocent, and righteous, in doing so mankind had every possible element necessary to perform. In the beginning, God’s offer to mankind was eternal life in His divine family (Trinity). Adam and Eve fellowshipped with God face-to-face in this flawless state of being, sadly man altered God’s picture perfect plan for mankind.
The eternal covenant of love which is life itself (Titus 1:2)3 and the eternal Gospel (2 Timothy 1:7-9)4 were each present at creation, in fact even “before time began”. God then established this covenant with the entire human race that descended from Adam and Eve at creation. Genesis 3:155, records that it is God alone who establishes the covenant, He Himself would do the work and provide the Redeemer.
God would create human beings with free will—giving them freedom to choose what to do with their lives. This meant that they could choose to sin – which brings misery. The unrepentant would ultimately receive the everlasting second death (Jude 1:12; Revelation 2:11, 20:6,14, 21:8). The other choice is that of life – which brings the joy of perpetual life with our Lord and the saved. This life begins with one’s repentance and confession of our Lord, although it may be temporarily interrupted by “sleep” (first death). As we journey through scripture, it will become evident how God unfolded this covenant in the course of time.
Covenant is not explicitly called a covenant in Genesis; however, it is later referred to as a covenant in Hosea 6:7.
Scripture References:
1 Genesis 1: 26 And God saith, `Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,…27 And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them” (YLT).
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; ….” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (NASB).
2 1 John 4: 7 Beloved, may we love one another, because the love is of God, and every one who is loving, of God he hath been begotten, and doth know God; 8 he who is not loving did not know God, because God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God in us, because His Son — the only begotten — hath God sent to the world, that we may live through him; 10 in this is the love, not that we loved God, but that He did love us, and did send His Son a propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if thus did God love us, we also ought one another to love; 12 God no one hath ever seen; if we may love one another, God in us doth remain, and His love is having been perfected in us; (YLT). Emphasis supplied.
1 John 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is [a]born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested [b]in us, that God has sent His [c]only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us (NASB).
3 Titus 1:2 upon hope of life age-during, which God, who doth not lie, did promise before times of ages, (YLT).
Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised [a]long ages ago, (NASB).
[a]Titus 1:2 Lit before times eternal
4 2 Timothy 1:7 for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind; 8 therefore thou mayest not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but do thou suffer evil along with the good news according to the power of God, 9 who did save us, and did call with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the times of the ages, (YLT).
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of [a]timidity, but of power and love and [b]discipline. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (NASB).
[a] 2 Timothy 1:7 Or cowardice
[b] 2 Timothy 1:7 Or sound judgment
5 Genesis 3:15 and enmity I put between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he doth bruise thee — the head, and thou dost bruise him — the heel’ (YLT).
Genesis 3:15 And I will [a]make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your [b]offspring and her [c]Descendant; He shall [d]bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (NASB)
[a] )Genesis 3:15 Lit put enmity between you
[b] Genesis 3:15 Lit seed
[c] Genesis 3:15 Lit Seed; i.e., a prophetic reference to Christ
[d] Genesis 3:15 Or crush