Exodus And Leviticus : Israel 's Core Identity Essay

The Book of Exodus is seen as the foundation of Israel’s purpose and faith. The Abrahamic Covenant set the unconditional and unbreakable promises God made to Abraham and his descendants. But at the Covenant at Sinai God proclaims the Israelites as a “priestly nation”, and God uses Sinai as a way to establish his power and the Israelite’s identity. The Israelites needed the insight so they could trust God, thus they are led to the place of the Covenant. The Covenant is a conditional contract, and reinforces the notion that it is action and doing that will form you as a person. The events in the book of Exodus and Leviticus establishes Israel’s core identity as the “chosen” people in a covenant with God. The Covenant laws cover the application on how to live life, and that belief is acquired through engagement, not by merely just conceptualizing God. Heschel’s book God in Search of Man states that “ His will is revealed in our doing. In carrying out a sacred deed we unseal the wells of faith.” ( ) “…You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (Ex. 19:3–6) Israel’s identity is clearly defined in this passage as a “priestly…