In the Hebrew Holy Scriptures, the word “berit” (Hebrew for Covenant) appears 280 times. It means bond, thus “a covenant refers to two or more parties bound together”.
A covenant establishes a bond between two parties.
For example, when Abimelech and Isaac decided to settle their land dispute, they made a binding agreement, league or covenant to live in peace. An oath confirmed it (Genesis 26: 26-31). Joshua and the Gibeonites bound themselves, by oath, to live in peace together (Joshua 9:15), although YHVH commands that Israel is not to bind themselves to the people living in the land of Caanan (Deuteronomy 7:2; Judges 2:2). These examples of covenant relations are between two equal human parties, meaning a bilateral covenant relationship.
On the contrary, YAH’s Covenant with Abraham in unilateral. “YAH Himself initiated, determined the elements and confirmed His covenant with humanity. Persons are recipients, not contributors. They are not expected to offer elements to the bond. They are called to accept it as offered, to keep it as commanded, and to receive the results that God, by oath, assures will not be withheld” (The Bible Tools).
Thus, YAH’s covenant with Abraham is the formal binding agreement between YAH and the Jewish people. It is an unconditional and eternal covenant (Berit’Olam).
The Key of Abraham in Genesis 12: 3 is a unilateral covenant YAH made with Abraham that says:
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curs him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”.
When we act upon that Berit’Olam, we will 101% receive the results that YAH, by oath, assures us that He will do – whether it’s a curse or a blessing. God is not a man that He should lie. No man, demons, nor time & space can nullify this eternal covenant.
This covenant is unconditional. Therefore, even though Rahab was a prostitute, it did not matter to YHVH. The only condition that YAH looked for was whether she fulfilled His covenant (by blessing Israel) or not. It didn’t matter Ruth and Cornelius were Gentiles. YAH used them for this purpose and made them as part of the commonwealth of Israel – based on His covenant.
YAH’s blessings upon our lives very much depends on whether we love, respect, bless and honour Israel. If we do, He has no choice but to bless us. The covenant is unilateral, initiated by YAH Himself, not Abraham (man). YAH will never fail His own promises.