So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” (Gen 15,9)

God made the first covenant with Abram as a proof that He would give him the land. When Abram wavered in his faith (Gen. 15:8), God saw no stronger evidence than the covenant commitment. Similar covenants were made between neighboring tribes to demarcate territories, pledge war aid, and generally avoid disputes, so it was a well-known issue. Of course, it assumed that the parties would be trustworthy to each other. Therefore, and brought as an oath to the deities (which was to ensure the fatal seriousness of the promises), blood was shed at the conclusion. By making the covenant in a similar way, God meant to say to Abraham: believe, this is how things will happen, for if anyone is trustworthy, it is Me. Do not be afraid, Abram, and do not doubt.

So the first covenant was a covenant for Israel's dwelling on the earth, made through the shedding of animal blood. It corresponds to the period of the Old Covenant, in which it came to fulfillment: it concerns the fate of the Jews on this earth, and involves animal sacrifices.

After God had departed, Abram ran to Sarah in the tent, embraced her, and cried out joyfully: Sarah, imagine what I have just experienced! It is certain! God has confirmed His covenant promises to me! Sarah, traditionally a bit skeptical of Abram's euphoria, could not resist this time and was infected by his enthusiasm. That evening, Abram's tents were lit late into the night - Abram and Sarah, in their eighties, danced, celebrated the feast, and rejoiced... Soon, very soon, their waiting will be over!