Dictionary of Bible Themes Covenants were central to OT life, with the result that those who broke covenants, and especially those who violated the covenant between God and Israel, were regarded as a serious threat to social stability. Genesis 9:16The importance of covenants See also The covenant between God and his people 2 Samuel 23:5Isaiah 24:5; 55:3 Judges 2:1 See also God will remain faithful to his covenant Psalms 105:8Isaiah 54:10 Numbers 30:2 Covenants between people 1 Samuel 23:16-18Covenants made in the sight of God were permanently binding See also Deuteronomy 23:21Ecclesiastes 5:4 Hosea 6:7 See also Condemnation of those who break covenants Proverbs 2:17Genesis 21:27 Joshua 24:24 Examples of covenants between people 2 Samuel 5:31 Kings 5:12; 20:34 Jeremiah 34:8 Ecclesiastes 4:4 Examples of breaking the covenant with God See also Coveting the possessions of others Exodus 20:17Exodus 20:15 Stealing See also Deuteronomy 23:24pp Dt 5:19 Leviticus 19:35-36Proverbs 20:23 Using dishonest weights or scales See also Deuteronomy 25:13-16Hosea 12:7-8 Amos 8:5 Proverbs 23:10 See also Moving boundary stones Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17Habakkuk 2:6 See also Extortion Isaiah 10:1-2Ezekiel 22:12 Amos 5:11 Leviticus 6:2 Ezekiel 16:17 Breach of trust Psalms 37:21Not repaying loans See also Genesis 31:6-9Not paying fair wages Exodus 23:9Failing to care for aliens Deuteronomy 29:9-15; 31:12Aliens living in Israel were regarded as having privileged status amongst Gentiles, and were treated as covenant people in some respects: Joshua 8:33-35See also 1345 covenant5312 feasting 5467 promises, divine 8714 dishonesty 8720 double-mindedness |
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