In Rightly Dividing the Word, understanding the covenants God made with man help us see how God’s plan for the redemption of His creation has been unfolding and how we fit in.
1. The Edenic Covenant
- Scripture: Genesis 1:28–30; 2:15–17
- Description: Made with Adam and Eve in innocence.
- Conditions: Larkin listed seven specific conditions, including the command to “replenish the earth” (which Larkin and Ruckman both believed implied a pre-Adamic race had been destroyed—The Gap, Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2), “subdue” the earth, restrict themselves to a “vegetable diet,” and abstain from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
- Result: Broken by the Fall, leading to the expulsion from Eden.
2. The Adamic Covenant
- Scripture: Genesis 3:14–19
- Description: Instituted after the Fall to establish the conditions of life for fallen humanity.
- Conditions: It included the curse on the serpent (Satan), the curse on the woman (sorrow in conception/childbirth), and the curse on the ground (thorns and thistles). It essentially defined the hardships of human existence until the Kingdom age.
3. The Noahic Covenant
- Scripture: Genesis 9:1–17
- Description: Made with Noah and all life on earth after the Flood.
- Conditions: It established Human Government and the sword (Capital Punishment). It also allowed man to eat meat (previously restricted) but forbade the eating of blood. The rainbow was the token of this covenant.
4. The Abrahamic Covenant
- Scripture: Genesis 12:1–3
- Description: An unconditional “Royal Grant” to Abraham.
- Conditions: It promised a land, a seed (nation), and a blessing to all families of the earth. Larkin emphasized that this covenant was “confirmed” by God alone (Genesis 15), meaning its fulfillment depended solely on God’s faithfulness, not Israel’s obedience.
5. The Mosaic Covenant
- Scripture: Exodus 20 (and following)
- Description: Given to Israel at Sinai.
- Conditions: This was a conditional covenant of law (“If ye will obey…”). Larkin divided the Law into three parts:
- The Moral Law: The Ten Commandments.
- The Civil Law: Governing social life.
- The Ceremonial Law: Governing religious worship (priesthood, sacrifices).
- Result: It served as a “schoolmaster” to bring men to Christ but could not give life.
6. The Palestinian Covenant (Land Covenant)
- Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:1–10
- Description: Larkin viewed this as distinct from the Mosaic Covenant. While the Mosaic covenant governed their conduct in the land, the Palestinian covenant guaranteed their final restoration to the land.
- Conditions: It promises that even after Israel is scattered for disobedience, God will return and gather them back to the land of their fathers forever.
7. The Davidic Covenant
- Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:16
- Description: Made with King David regarding his house and throne.
- Conditions: Unconditional. It promised an eternal kingdom, an eternal throne, and an eternal Seed (Christ). This ensures a literal, earthly Millennial Kingdom where Jesus sits on the “Throne of David.”
8. The New Covenant
Larkin’s Distinction: Like Ruckman, Larkin taught that while the Church is a beneficiary of the spiritual blessings of this covenant (salvation, forgiveness), the covenant itself is legally made with Israel and will be fully realized in the Millennium when God writes His law on their hearts.
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:6–13
Description: Made with the “House of Israel” and the “House of Judah.”
Conditions: Unconditional. It rests on the finished work of Christ (“better promises”).