Pentateuch Explain The Meaning Of Covenant In The Old Testament
OLD TESTAMENT QUESTION ONE: Old Testament Pentateuch
Explain the meaning of “covenant” in the Old Testament.
Within the Old Testament, covenant generally refers to an agreement or relationship made between two parties. Typically, this appears between one with authority and one under authority (similar to a suzerain-vassal treaty), such as a king (e.g. suzerain) and his subjects (e.g. vassals) or a stronger and weaker party (2 Sam. 5:3, Jos. 9:15)—although this is not always the case such as the covenant made between Jonathan and David, or the reference to marriage as a covenant in Malachi. These “suzerain-vassal” covenants were usually unilateral. That said, the dominant covenants within the Old Testament lie within the relationship of Yahweh to mankind. These covenants were unilateral in nature. God makes several covenants with man through the Old Testament. Each divine covenant (i.e. Adamic, Abrahamic, Noahic, Davidic, Sinaitic, Mosaic, and finally the New Covenant) God promises his blessing, sometimes with no provisions (e.g. Abrahamic) other times with provisions (e.g. Moasic). We see in …show more content…
4:17, 23; 9:35; 10:7), in which he is triumphant over opposition and oppression. Likewise, he affirms this reality through numerous miracles from turning water into wine, multiplying loaves and fish, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, and calming storms (i.e. power over life and death and the created order of the world). His incarnation was the in breaking of the kingdom – the complete rule and reign – of God upon the earth. John the Baptizer, says “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” declaring the kingdom was/is present (Matt. 3:1-2; and the same is declared by Jesus, 4:17). And, although his kingdom is present, it is yet to come in its fullness upon his return (Matt. 26:29, Luke
Explain the meaning of “covenant” in the Old Testament.
Within the Old Testament, covenant generally refers to an agreement or relationship made between two parties. Typically, this appears between one with authority and one under authority (similar to a suzerain-vassal treaty), such as a king (e.g. suzerain) and his subjects (e.g. vassals) or a stronger and weaker party (2 Sam. 5:3, Jos. 9:15)—although this is not always the case such as the covenant made between Jonathan and David, or the reference to marriage as a covenant in Malachi. These “suzerain-vassal” covenants were usually unilateral. That said, the dominant covenants within the Old Testament lie within the relationship of Yahweh to mankind. These covenants were unilateral in nature. God makes several covenants with man through the Old Testament. Each divine covenant (i.e. Adamic, Abrahamic, Noahic, Davidic, Sinaitic, Mosaic, and finally the New Covenant) God promises his blessing, sometimes with no provisions (e.g. Abrahamic) other times with provisions (e.g. Moasic). We see in …show more content…
4:17, 23; 9:35; 10:7), in which he is triumphant over opposition and oppression. Likewise, he affirms this reality through numerous miracles from turning water into wine, multiplying loaves and fish, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, and calming storms (i.e. power over life and death and the created order of the world). His incarnation was the in breaking of the kingdom – the complete rule and reign – of God upon the earth. John the Baptizer, says “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” declaring the kingdom was/is present (Matt. 3:1-2; and the same is declared by Jesus, 4:17). And, although his kingdom is present, it is yet to come in its fullness upon his return (Matt. 26:29, Luke