The World Behind the Text Scripture comes from the Latin word "scriptura" meaning writings. Scripture is a body of writings that is considered to be sacred or authoritative to a community. Scriptures arise in religious communities to serve their particular needs as they struggle to understand their experiences of God and define themselves in relationship to the rest of their society. (Brown and Moloney 1). The oral culture of the Ancient World scriptures developed due to pressure. The formation of the nation of Israel and the destruction of this nation helped in part of developing scripture and covenants. A covenant is an agreement with God that demands something in return for what God promises.
The first book of the Bible focuses on the cosmology …show more content…
While the first two were meant for humankind in general, this covenant is directed on a specific set of people. God calls on Abram (later renamed Abraham) to take his people and venture into the wilderness, with the promise of a spectacular land for his people, as well as blessing his family and his line of descendants. These people become the Jewish people we have been talking about. Abraham and his descendants become the nations of Israel, and live quite well in the area on the east coast of the Mediterranean for quite some time. (Genesis 12-50) As these people prosper, though, they begin to turn away from God. It is during this time that they fall on hard times while in Egypt. God decides it’s time for a new covenant to “refresh” his relationship with his chosen people. He calls on Moses, the first prophet, or speaker for God, to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. As they are in the wilderness, God creates this fourth covenant the Sinai Covenant. Israel becomes God’s chosen people, and are given the Ten Commandments, along with many other smaller commandments. (Deuteronomy 11) As Israel is grows, they decide they need a leader, a king, to stand up to the nations around them. King David unites the 12 tribes of Israel and ushers in a time of peace and prosperity. David so pleases God that He chooses to enter a new Covenant with David a descendant of David will always be king of Israel. This will
The first book of the Bible focuses on the cosmology …show more content…
While the first two were meant for humankind in general, this covenant is directed on a specific set of people. God calls on Abram (later renamed Abraham) to take his people and venture into the wilderness, with the promise of a spectacular land for his people, as well as blessing his family and his line of descendants. These people become the Jewish people we have been talking about. Abraham and his descendants become the nations of Israel, and live quite well in the area on the east coast of the Mediterranean for quite some time. (Genesis 12-50) As these people prosper, though, they begin to turn away from God. It is during this time that they fall on hard times while in Egypt. God decides it’s time for a new covenant to “refresh” his relationship with his chosen people. He calls on Moses, the first prophet, or speaker for God, to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. As they are in the wilderness, God creates this fourth covenant the Sinai Covenant. Israel becomes God’s chosen people, and are given the Ten Commandments, along with many other smaller commandments. (Deuteronomy 11) As Israel is grows, they decide they need a leader, a king, to stand up to the nations around them. King David unites the 12 tribes of Israel and ushers in a time of peace and prosperity. David so pleases God that He chooses to enter a new Covenant with David a descendant of David will always be king of Israel. This will