Dictionary of Bible Themes God's faithful commitment, made in pursuance of his promises to Abraham, to acknowledge the newly-redeemed Israel as his own special people. Israel's required response to the grace of God in election was to be holiness and obedience to the law. Deuteronomy 29:12-13The occasion of the covenant See also The covenant fulfilled God's promises to Abraham Exodus 2:24; 6:4-8Deuteronomy 7:8 Jeremiah 34:13 The covenant followed Israel's redemption from slavery See also Exodus 20:2God's covenant at Sinai was made in the context of his historical acts of deliverance. Covenants ("treaties") between a supreme (suzerain) overlord and a subordinate ruler (vassal) are well known in ancient Near Eastern writings. They are not "agreements" but "requirements". Leviticus 26:45pp Dt 5:6 Exodus 34:27Leviticus 26:46 The covenant was mediated through Moses Deuteronomy 29:1John 1:17 Exodus 19:18-19; 20:18-19; 24:16 Psalms 68:8 The covenant was accompanied by signs of God's presence Exodus 24:11Sealing the covenant Sharing a meal Exodus 24:5-8Psalms 50:5 Offering a sacrifice Deuteronomy 28:9; 29:14Ezekiel 16:8 God's oath Exodus 19:8; 24:3,7Israel's promise Deuteronomy 7:6The covenant relationship See also Israel as God's people Exodus 19:5-6Leviticus 26:12 Deuteronomy 14:2 Jeremiah 13:11 Hosea 11:1 See also Israel adopted into God's family Deuteronomy 1:30-31; 8:5Isaiah 63:16 Malachi 2:10 Jeremiah 2:2 See also Israel as God's bride Isaiah 54:5-8Jeremiah 31:32 Ezekiel 16:8 Hosea 2:14-16 Deuteronomy 6:3; 26:18-19; 28:9 The blessings of the covenant Joshua 23:5Inheriting God's promises Leviticus 26:3-13Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Provision and protection This pattern of blessings and curses is also a feature of Near Eastern political treaties. Exodus 24:7; 34:27-28The requirements of the covenant See also Obedience to the law Deuteronomy 4:13Joshua 8:31 Nehemiah 8:1 Deuteronomy 14:2 Holiness Leviticus 11:45See also Israel has been made holy through her election as the covenant people of God. The ensuing call for holiness is a call to work out the implications of that relationship and to live in accordance with its demands Leviticus 20:26Exodus 34:14 Deuteronomy 10:12 Wholehearted devotion See also Exodus 23:32Deuteronomy 4:23; 6:5; 10:20 Joshua 24:14-15 Breaking the covenant Leviticus 26:15-16The consequences of breaking the covenant Deuteronomy 28:21-22Disease: Leviticus 26:19-20Deuteronomy 28:23-24 Drought and crop failure: Leviticus 26:17,25Deuteronomy 28:25 Defeat by enemies: Leviticus 26:32-33Deuteronomy 28:36-37 Exile from the land: Joshua 23:16Ezekiel 17:19-20 Psalms 78:37 See also Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant 2 Kings 18:121 Chronicles 5:25 Jeremiah 3:8; 11:10 Ezekiel 16:32 Hosea 6:7 Deuteronomy 7:9 God's commitment to the covenant God's covenant of love See also Nehemiah 1:5"love" translates the Hebrew word "hesed", which here expresses God's loyalty and faithful commitment to his covenant people. Daniel 9:4Ezekiel 16:60 The everlasting covenant See also Isaiah 61:8God's faithfulness to the covenant at Sinai will result in a new covenant that will never come to an end. Jeremiah 32:40Leviticus 26:40-45 Renewing the covenant Deuteronomy 29:1Joshua 24:22-25 2 Kings 23:3 See also pp 2Ch 34:31 1035 God, faithfulness4269 Sinai, Mount 5101 Moses 5377 law, Ten Commandments 6020 sin |
    |