![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The slaughter of an animal at the ratification of a treaty implies that the one who violated the treaty could expect a similar fate as a consequence. ![]() Moses seems to have been making use of the treaty format that was already in common use in the world of his day as he expressed the covenant relationship between the L ORD and His people. (Some suggest analyzing the entire Bible according to this pattern.) Deuteronomy is almost entirely covenantal in its form and content, as are other parts of the OT. Scholars have found similarity of approach and even of outline between the Hittite form and the book of the covenant (the covenant code) of Exodus 20-23, the entire Book of Deuteronomy, and Joshua 24. The biblical covenant form shows remarkable resemblance to the Hittite treaty form. They also contain provision for the preservation of the document (usually by deposit in the vassal's chief shrine), the witnesses to the covenant (usually the gods of both parties), the blessings and curses that will result from keeping or breaking it, a prescribed regular public reading of it, and an oath ratifying the covenant in a solemn ceremony.Įven in the case of a suzerainty treaty, which was in effect imposed by the sovereign on the vassal, the superior power also bound himself by certain obligations to his vassal. This latter type is the more important for biblical studies.īoth types of treaties contain certain clauses including a title identifying the chief partner, a historical prologue to show how past benefits from the chief partner should inspire the vassal to a grateful response, and a list of stipulations (obligations, laws). It was drawn up by the superior power and imposed on the inferior. A suzerainty treaty was between a sovereign (suzerain) and a vassal (subject). Hittite and other treaties took one of two forms: parity or suzerainty. These date from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age (about 1400-1200 BC), in the early biblical period. The most important of these were Hittite treaties from their ancient capital of Boghazkoy (in modern Turkey). made available to Bible scholars, and studied at length. Since then numerous examples of such pacts (covenants) have been discovered. We knew almost nothing about ancient Near Eastern treaties until archaeological research began in the nineteenth century. They are especially important because they provide some background understanding of one of the most important of all biblical terms, covenant. 2:29, Heb.Ancient Near Eastern treaties are important because they shed light on pacts and treaties in the OT. Podcast: Not yet released God Promises Restoration With a New Heart Deuteronomy 30, ref. Podcast: Not yet released God Symbolizes the Curse of Judgement Numbers 21, referenced in John 3:14 Podcast: P10 Exodus 5-18 God Redeems Israel God Institutes the Day of Atonement Leviticus 16, referenced in Rom. Podcast: P4 Genesis 12-15 Abraham 1 God Provides the Passover Lamb Exodus 12, referenced in John 1:29 God Cuts Covenant with Abraham Genesis 15, referenced in Romans 4:3 For more on Grace in the Law, check out the Interpreting the Pentateuch podcast from the menu above. Not wanting to miss this forest of grace while focusing on individual trees, we need to pay attention to those important moments where God communicates his grace.īelow are five “monuments of grace” you want to be sure not to miss along the way. With all the detail on how Israel ought to live out their covenant relationship, it can be easy to miss the Mosaic principle that covenant relationship with holy God only comes as a gift of grace. These are the laws or the dos and don’ts. In this narrative context God communicates the stipulations of the covenant. Much of the covenant is historical prologue describing God’s relationship with people, particularly with Israel, a people chosen for a special purpose. The Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, the Books of Moses and the first five books of the Bible, is the covenant that God made with Israel. ![]()
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