Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Covenant Lesson 3 May 2012

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Old Testament In O.T. theology a covenant was a compact or contract between God and his worshippers. Usually described as “cutting a covenant” →

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Archaeology Early evidence for covenants comes from the Sumerians in the 3 rd millennium B.C.E. Originally they were developed by early civilizations as a means of regulating relations between social or political entities In the late Bronze Age (14 th to 13 th century B.C.E.), covenants were used by the Hittites to define reciprocal obligations of suzerain and vassals.

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Covenant: Early Form Covenants usually took the form of military treaties They were used to specify the terms of peace between a victor and a defeated foe.

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Biblical Covenant The earliest reference to a covenant in the Bible is in Genesis : As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Genesis But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Genesis When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Promissory vs. Obligatory This covenant like the one mentioned in 2 Samuel between God and King David are unilateral pledges known as promissory covenants (one way). That is a promise is made from one party to the other Suzerain: a nation that controls another nation in international affairs but allows it domestic sovereignty (independence)

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Promissory vs. Obligatory In contrast to this is the obligatory covenant that is made between two parties who will follow certain stipulations in their agreement Example is Exodus chapters Obligation: a social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract or promise Reciprocal: interchanged, given, or owed to each other

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Benefits From these examples of various covenants it has been accepted that in return for remaining obedient and faithful to God the people of Israel would enjoy God’s blessing and protection. In short they become God’s Chosen People

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Diaspora Even after the Jewish people were driven out of Palestine and scattered over the earth, the covenant between God and them remained. Its new interpretation was that it included the eventual restoration of them in their ancient homeland; the Promised Land

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Christian Covenant Jesus’ death on the cross signified the making or redefining of the new covenant through Jesus: the redemption of all humanity.

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Christian Covenant Controversy Theologians differ on the exact meaning of this New Covenant or the Covenant of the New Testament. Some believe that Christ’s voluntary sacrifice redeemed all people

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Christian Covenant Controversy Others contend that only those who earn their redemption by faith alone, (Martin Luther) → Others contend that by both faith and good works, can one be saved. (Roman Catholic teaching) →

Unit 3 - Lesson three: Covenant Coming up Friday: Possibly a Supply Teacher (Castaway) Partners for “Scrapbook” assignment