Short essay

How is a covenant similar to a contract? How is it different?

covenants are similar to contracts in that they are formal and binding agreements made between two people or groups. A covenant is different because it involves the sincere desire for the good of the other person or group rather than just the protection of self interest. 

Briefly describe the events that make up the first chapters of Genesis: Creation, sin and the Fall, punishment, and God’s promise to Adam and Eve.

God created the world as well as first humans Adam and Eve and placed them in paradise. They lived in communion with each other, in harmony with nature, and in close friendship with God. They chose to disobey God's instruction not to eat of the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good And evil. They made this choice because God has given them Free Will. Because of this they were cast out of the garden but God did not abandon His people. He promised that the woman’s offspring would destroy the snake who represents sin and death. He promised to send a savior. 

How did God test Abraham’s faith? How does this story foreshadow the death of Jesus?

God asked Isaac to offer him his only son Isaac as a  human sacrifice. Abraham obeyed with a heavy heart. The story foreshadows the death of Jesus because Isaac and Jesus were both only beloved sons and both carried the wood for their execution. Additionally, Abaraham told Isaac that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice and ultimately God did provide Jesus the lamb of God. 

Describe two parallels between the story of the Passover and Exodus and the sacrifice of Jesus.

The first parallel is that Passover and the death of Jesus involved the Death Of thand firstborns. The second parallel is that Jesus’ Passion began at the celebration of Passover. The third parallel is that Jesus is the unblemished lamb, by His sacrifice we are free from the slavery of sin and led to the Promised land of Heaven.