User:Kk 1291/sandbox

Covenant Forms in Israelite Tradition

• Legal custom of covenant is brought to religion

• Covenant is what establishes the relationship between man and God

• Contract between man and God was an actual event, with a location and repercussions

The Nature of Covenant

• Oaths were instituted in order to hold one to the covenant they made

• Vassal is bound by oath to obey the Hittite sovereign

• Purpose of the suzerainty was to create a mutually beneficial relationship between two nations

The Structure of the Covenant

• Covenant belongs to the sovereign (suzerain)

• 6 elements: preamble, history, stipulations, public reading, list of gods

• Treaty was written in the 1st person to create a personal tone

Other Factors in the Covenant

• Vassal swore obedience by oath

• Suzerainty treaties were not found in any other period

Covenant Forms in Israel

• Covenant between Abraham and God: circumcision was a sign, not an obligation

• ID’s the participants of the covenant

• Mosaic Covenant imposes promises fulfilled by the clans, but Yahweh doesn’t promise anything

The Covenant of Joshua 24

• A monotheistic obligation is implied

• 1st person reference on behalf of Joshua

• Difference between generations (Joshua vs. Moses)

The Breakdown of the Covenant Form

• Monarchy established (pros and cons of the “old ways”)

• King made by covenant; Yahweh was witness

• David’s reign was declared the Golden Age (modus vivendi)

The Rediscovery of Moses

• King Josiah made a covenant with his people to follow the Lord’s commandments

• Former amphictyonic covenant was rediscovered

• New Testament is founded upon the Mosaic Covenant

• Moses speaks in the 1st person

• Religious tradition and political leadership went hand in hand