In the Old Testament, we see God reaching out for a relationship with man.
God was seeking to have a bridge set up for communication and fellowship between His chosen people and Him. The significance of covenants is shown throughout the Pentateuch in relationship between man and God. A covenant has three distinctive parts the offer, the terms, and the acceptance. The religious use of the term covenant always referred to a relationship between greater and a lesser partner. The covenant between God and Israel in Exodus and Deuteronomy can be compared to the Hittite suzerainty-treaties. This treaty was made between the king and his vassal. The two major covenants mentioned in the Pentateuch are the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis and the Sinai covenant in Exodus, later refreshed in Deuteronomy. These covenants affected the relationship between Israel and God.
Wolf states, "A covenant is a sworn agreement between two parties, where no blood relation exists." The anatomy of a covenant is broken into three parts. First there is the offer, which the communication of a promise, the terms of which are definite and certain, given with the intent to incur legal obligation, together with that which is excepted in return. Second, the terms, which specify on the provisions of the covenant. Thirdly, the acceptance, formally agreeing to comply with the terms of the contract. The Abrahamic covenant was a covenant set up between God and Abraham. God promised to make Abraham's name great and that his descendents would become a great nation. The communication of a promise God specified the components of this covenant. God made a .
pledge to Abraham that He would be his God and the God of his descendents. This .
covenant brought man into fellowship with God and shows the total consecration to the Lord, which was symbolized by circumcision. Abraham and the male descendents were required to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant.