The answer depends on how far back you would like to go. In essence there were two main covenants involving the nation of Israel. The first would be the Abrahamic covenant established between God himself and Abraham in the year 1943 BCE (at the time known as Abram).
At Genesis 12:1-3 God tells Abraham that he will make him a "great nation" (Israel) and by means of this nation the entire world would be blessed. The specifics of the land that this great nation would inhabit are enlarged upon at Genesis 13:14-18. Note that the Abrahamic Covenant had no "expiration" date, but was to extend through an unspecified period of time until it accomplished the purpose it had been established for: all nations living in blessed harmony with God as stated at Genesis 17:3-8 (incidentally the 17th chapter of Genesis also establishes the Covenant of Circumcision which was a means to identify those who had entered into the covenant made with Abram).
Then there is the Law Covenant established with the nation of Israel and mediated by Moses. After an extend period under the subjugation of Egypt God led the Israelites towards the lands he had promised they would inhabit (by then the Israelites numbered perhaps about 2 million). In 1513 BCE, 430 years after the Abrahamic covenant's establishment, and as we read at Exodus Chapter 17, the nation of Israel agreed to the Law Covenant (often referred to as the Mosaic Law).
The Law was intended for several purposed including: to organize the Israelites as a nation, lead the nation to the Messiah (who would be the key descendant of Abraham that would make it possible for 'all nations to be blessed' ) and to keep them free from pagan practices.
When the Messiah was born into the world his perfect way of living and devotion to God fulfilled the Law. In fact God, through the prophet Jeremiah, had already told the nation that at some time in the future the Law would no longer be in force (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The Messiah's eventual sacrifice made the Law invalid along with its animal sacrifices and ritual atonements. The Christ's blood was worth far more than the blood of the animals upon which the Law was based. Now Christ would act as the mediator between sinners and God (Colossians 2:8-17).
So the Law Covenant came to an end after Jesus sacrifice (see also Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45) but the Abrahamic Covenant continues, again, until its intended purpose has been accomplished: all nations of the world being blessed.
God offered the Israelites protection and a homeland. In return, the Israelites committed to follow God's laws.
The solemn agreement between God and the Israelites is known as the "Covenant" or the "Covenant of Moses." It outlined the terms of their relationship, including God's promises to the Israelites and their responsibilities in return.
The israellites agreed to follow goods
The covenant is that the Israelites will obey the Torah and God will treasure them. See Exodus 19:3-5, and Deuteronomy 26:16-19.
They believed that the giving of the commandments reaffirmed their covenant with god.
No personal covenant is mentioned with Moses. Rather, God made a covenant between Himself and the Israelites, including Moses (Exodus 34:27). This covenant requires that the Israelites obey the Torah (Exodus 19:5, Leviticus ch.26, Deuteronomy ch. 28 and 31). Nonetheless, it will never cease to exist (Leviticus 26:44). However, it does have a "conditional" nature to it as most contracts do. If the Israelites fulfill their half of the agreement, God will bless them and provide for them. If the Israelites do not fulfill their half of the agreement, God will curse them and destroy them. Many Religious Jews see the Diasporic Nature of the Jewish Community to be evidence of a general failure for Jews (the descendants of the Israelites) to uphold the agreement made between Moses and God.
It is called the B'rit, translated as the Covenant. Exodus ch.19. See also:What_is_the_covenant_of_the_Hebrew_people
In many religions, a sign of the covenant is a physical symbol or ritual that represents a sacred agreement or promise between humans and the divine. It can vary depending on the specific religious tradition, such as circumcision in Judaism or baptism in Christianity.
Because of His covenant with the Israelites.See the Related Link.So why did the Prophets scold the Israelites so much?
God established a covenant with the Israelites, known as the Mosaic Covenant, which included the Ten Commandments and other laws. This covenant served as a set of guidelines for the Israelites to follow in order to maintain their relationship with God and be distinct among the nations as his chosen people.
For the Israelites (Jews), the entire Torah is their side of the covenant, not just the Ten Commandments.The covenant between God and the Israelite nation (see Exodus ch.19 and ch.24), was made in the time of Moses, with Moses serving as the messenger.This covenant is one of obedience, to listen to God's voice (Exodus 19:5), which will include the entire Torah (24:12). God, for His part, promised to treasure the Israelites (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 26:16-19). The covenant was manifested through God's giving the Ten Commandments (Exodus ch.19-20) and then the rest of the Torah (Exodus ch.24).See also:What did God promise to the Israelites?What was the outward sign of the Israelite covenant?
The covenant was between God and all of the Jews, not only with Moses (Exodus 34:27). It stipulated that God would treasure the Israelites, and they would obey Him (Exodus ch.19).
a commandment is ordained from God to the people of God. a covenant is an agreement between to persons or between a person and God.