ALTARS AND COVENANTS

Title: ALTARS AND COVENANTS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Genesis 12:7-8
Supporting Texts: Genesis 8:20-22, Genesis 15:9-18, Exodus 24:6-8, 1 Kings 18:30-39

INTRODUCTION:
In the Bible, altars are central to covenant-making between God and man. They serve as places of sacrifice, worship, and divine communication. Covenants, on the other hand, are sacred agreements initiated by God, often sealed with sacrifices on altars. The relationship between altars and covenants is significant in understanding how God interacts with humanity. They reveal divine purposes, establish blessings, and reinforce man's commitment to God.

1. THE MEANING OF ALTARS AND COVENANTS

a) Altars as Points of Divine Contact
Altars are physical or spiritual locations where man communes with God (Genesis 8:20).

b) Covenants as Divine Agreements
A covenant is a binding agreement, often initiated by God, involving promises and obligations (Genesis 15:18).

c) Relationship Between Altars and Covenants
Covenants are often sealed or reinforced by sacrifices made on altars (Exodus 24:6-8).

d) Types of Covenants in the Bible
Examples include the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants (Hebrews 8:6).

e) Biblical Example: God established His covenant with Noah after he built an altar and offered sacrifices (Genesis 8:20-22).

2. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ALTARS IN COVENANT-MAKING

a) Altars as Places of Sacrifice
Sacrifices on altars symbolise commitment and submission to God (Genesis 22:9-12).

b) Altars as Memorials
Altars serve as reminders of God's promises and faithfulness (Joshua 4:20-24).

c) Altars as Points of Worship
Worship at altars honours God and strengthens the covenant relationship (Genesis 12:8).

d) Altars as Spiritual Gateways
They are portals for divine blessings and communication (1 Kings 18:38-39).

e) Biblical Example: Abraham built altars to establish his covenant relationship with God at various locations (Genesis 12:7-8, 13:18).

3. ELEMENTS OF COVENANT-MAKING AT ALTARS

a) Divine Initiation
Covenants are initiated by God, revealing His plan for man (Genesis 15:1).

b) Sacrificial Offerings
Sacrifices are made on altars to seal covenants (Genesis 15:9-10).

c) Blood as a Seal
The shedding of blood signifies the seriousness and permanence of the covenant (Exodus 24:6-8).

d) Covenant Terms
God sets the terms and promises of the covenant (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).

e) Biblical Example: God’s covenant with Abraham was sealed with sacrifices and symbolised by the splitting of animals (Genesis 15:9-18).

4. ALTARS AND THE NEW COVENANT

a) Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Altar and Sacrifice
The cross became the altar where the New Covenant was established (Hebrews 9:14).

b) The Blood of Jesus
His blood became the seal of the New Covenant, offering eternal redemption (Hebrews 8:6, 9:12).

c) Spiritual Altars Today
Believers raise spiritual altars through prayer, worship, and dedication to God (Romans 12:1).

d) Accessing the New Covenant Promises
Through faith in Jesus, we become partakers of the New Covenant (Galatians 3:29).

e) Biblical Example: Jesus instituted the New Covenant during the Last Supper, symbolising it with bread and wine (Luke 22:19-20).

5. DESTROYING EVIL ALTARS AND RENEWING GODLY COVENANTS

a) Identifying Evil Altars
Recognise altars tied to idolatry, rebellion, or ancestral practices (Judges 6:25).

b) Breaking Ungodly Covenants
Use the authority in Christ to renounce and nullify ungodly covenants (Colossians 2:14).

c) Raising Godly Altars
Build altars of prayer, worship, and dedication to God (1 Kings 18:30).

d) Renewing Godly Covenants
Regularly reaffirm your covenant relationship with God through communion and prayer (Psalm 50:5).

e) Biblical Example: Gideon destroyed his father’s altar to Baal and raised an altar to the Lord, renewing the covenant with God (Judges 6:25-27).

CONCLUSION:
Altars and covenants are foundational to our relationship with God. While altars serve as platforms for spiritual transactions, covenants reveal God’s promises and expectations. By understanding the significance of altars and covenants, believers can align themselves with God’s will, experience His blessings, and live victoriously.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, help me to build and sustain godly altars in my life.

2. I break every covenant made on evil altars in my bloodline.

3. Lord, let Your covenant of peace and blessings manifest in my life.

4. By the blood of Jesus, I nullify every evil transaction on strange altars.

5. Holy Spirit, empower me to remain faithful to my covenant with God.

6. Lord, destroy every evil altar working against my destiny.

7. Father, let Your fire consume all ungodly altars in my family.

8. I renew my covenant with You, Lord, through the blood of Jesus.

9. Mighty God, let Your covenant of favour be evident in my life.

10. I declare that I walk in the blessings of the New Covenant in Christ.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. Every evil altar speaking against your life is silenced in Jesus’ name!

2. The blood of Jesus cancels every ungodly covenant tied to your destiny.

3. You are established on a godly altar of favour and blessing!

4. No power from strange altars shall prevail against you.

5. The covenant of God’s peace will reign in your home.

6. Every ancestral altar resisting your progress is destroyed by fire!

7. You are a partaker of the New Covenant blessings through Christ.

8. God will raise you as a repairer of broken altars in your family.

9. Your life will be a testimony of divine covenants fulfilled.

10. From today, you walk in covenant blessings and divine favour!