One reading the bible it is important to look for themes that can be found throughout the scripture to understand the importance of them. A main theme that can be traced can be understood as a main point to understand the character of God. One of those main themes as to do with covenants theology. It can be said that through covenants God expresses his desires on his people in the most clear form. This paper will be looking at what is a covenant, where can they be found in the bible and how do they relate to the ancient near east. Is it possible that covenants are not just a biblical idea but instead an idea that can be found throughout the ancient near east?
What is a covenant The Hebrew word for covenant is berith (ברית), it can be understood …show more content…
The beginning one starts in Gen 9:8-17 where God makes a promise to Noah that he will never destroy the earth again through water. Following the flood Noah and his family are the only ones left on the earth for mankind. The promise extended to Moses and his decedents, which eventually lead to Terah (Gen 11:10-27) who became the father of the next man God would make his next covenant to Abraham. The covenant with Abraham (Gen 12-17) was the establishment of the nation of Israel in which God promised Abraham that if he left his homeland of Ur God would make his name great. God would also bring about a nation for Abraham that would be blessed. They would have numerous offspring and his future descendant would be a king. It is under this covenant the history of the Old Testament would be spell out with one more connecting …show more content…
Closes correlations of similarities between covenants can be found between the Hittite culture and the Nation of Israel. The covenants found in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Joshua 24 seem to carry six primary traits that are found other ANE treaties. First off ANE treaties also began with a preamble. This was the place where the people of authority would state their authority in giving the covenant. We see Yahweh doing the same thing with the use of the words I am, or I the Lord or God is establishing a covenant between you and me. While not always the case usually in this part of the case there is a mutual agreement between two parties to the writing of the treaty (unless a stronger nation is giving a treaty to a lesser nation). The second aspect of a covenant can be found in its historical prologue. It is in this part the history for why the covenant is being given is made. The introduction to the book of Deuteronomy does this as well as Joshua as he is renewing the covenant. Third part of the document had the stipulations of the covenant laid out. The enforcer of the covenant would lay out the agreement or rules of the covenant in this part it. For Israel their God does this in every covenant, which was a constant element that had to be part of a contract for a covenant to exist. The fourth part of the covenant
What is a covenant The Hebrew word for covenant is berith (ברית), it can be understood …show more content…
The beginning one starts in Gen 9:8-17 where God makes a promise to Noah that he will never destroy the earth again through water. Following the flood Noah and his family are the only ones left on the earth for mankind. The promise extended to Moses and his decedents, which eventually lead to Terah (Gen 11:10-27) who became the father of the next man God would make his next covenant to Abraham. The covenant with Abraham (Gen 12-17) was the establishment of the nation of Israel in which God promised Abraham that if he left his homeland of Ur God would make his name great. God would also bring about a nation for Abraham that would be blessed. They would have numerous offspring and his future descendant would be a king. It is under this covenant the history of the Old Testament would be spell out with one more connecting …show more content…
Closes correlations of similarities between covenants can be found between the Hittite culture and the Nation of Israel. The covenants found in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Joshua 24 seem to carry six primary traits that are found other ANE treaties. First off ANE treaties also began with a preamble. This was the place where the people of authority would state their authority in giving the covenant. We see Yahweh doing the same thing with the use of the words I am, or I the Lord or God is establishing a covenant between you and me. While not always the case usually in this part of the case there is a mutual agreement between two parties to the writing of the treaty (unless a stronger nation is giving a treaty to a lesser nation). The second aspect of a covenant can be found in its historical prologue. It is in this part the history for why the covenant is being given is made. The introduction to the book of Deuteronomy does this as well as Joshua as he is renewing the covenant. Third part of the document had the stipulations of the covenant laid out. The enforcer of the covenant would lay out the agreement or rules of the covenant in this part it. For Israel their God does this in every covenant, which was a constant element that had to be part of a contract for a covenant to exist. The fourth part of the covenant