OLD TESTAMENT

Suzerain-Vassal Covenant

Ancient treaty between a ruling king and a subject people

Suzerain

The ruling authority in a covenant

Vassal

The subject people bound by the covenant

Purpose of a Covenant

To establish relationship

Historical Prologue

Background story explaining why the covenant exists

Stipulations

Responsibilities required by the covenant

Blessings and Curses

Consequences of covenant faithfulness or failure

Document Clause

Written record and renewal of the covenant

Genesis

Pentateuch book explaining why the covenant was necessary

Exodus

Pentateuch book explaining what the covenant is

Leviticus

Pentateuch book explaining how covenant life feels and functions

Numbers

Pentateuch book explaining who belongs to the covenant

Deuteronomy

Pentateuch book explaining how long the covenant lasts

Two Major Sections of Genesis

Genesis 1–11 origins myths and Genesis 12–50 ancestor hero stories

Biblical Myth

A story that explains reality and worldview rather than scientific process

Four Story Cycles of Genesis

Origins Abraham Jacob and Joseph

Creation in Genesis

God creates by spoken word with order and purpose

Image of God

Humanity shares God’s character and responsibility

Purpose of Humanity

Relationship with God and rest

Origin of Evil

Disobedience to God’s authority

First Remedy for Sin

Individual exile of Adam and Eve

Second Remedy for Sin

Communal recreation through Noah

Genesis 9 Covenant

God promises preservation of life

Sign of Noahic Covenant

A bow aimed toward heaven

Tower of Babel

Human rejection of divine authority

Third Remedy for Sin

A chosen community of witness

Abraham

Founder of Israel and covenant partner

Abraham’s Call

Leave homeland and become a blessing to all nations

Four Promises to Abraham

Land nation protection and global blessing

Royal Grant Covenant

A gift with no required obedience

Genesis 12 Covenant

Land promised

Genesis 13 Covenant

Land reaffirmed

Genesis 15 Covenant

Son promised

Genesis 17 Covenant

Suzerain-vassal covenant requiring obedience

Circumcision

Covenant sign of obedience

Ishmael

Son not chosen for covenant line

Isaac

Chosen covenant heir

Mount Moriah

Site of Isaac test and future Temple

Jacob

Covenant heir renamed Israel

Meaning of Israel

One who wrestles with God

Joseph

God uses suffering to save Israel

Double Blessing of Joseph

Ephraim and Manasseh

Reason Israel Went to Egypt

God preserved life through Joseph

Exodus Main Theme

Redemption and covenant formation

Three Sections of Exodus

Struggles stipulations and symbols

Passover

Blood protects Israel from judgment

Meaning of Passover

New beginning and deliverance

Mount Sinai

Covenant established between God and Israel

Book of the Covenant

Written covenant read to the people

Blood of the Covenant

Ratifies the covenant relationship

Hittites

Ancient culture that standardized treaty forms

Importance of Hittite Treaties

They match biblical covenant structure

Preamble in Exodus

Yahweh declares authority

Historical Prologue in Exodus

God delivered Israel from Egypt

Stipulations in Exodus

Laws defining covenant life

Witnesses in Exodus

Elders of Israel

Document Clause in Exodus

Covenant written and renewed

Tabernacle

God’s dwelling place among Israel

Purpose of the Tabernacle

God lives with His people

Ark of the Covenant

God’s throne and covenant container

Mercy Seat

Place where God meets Israel

Lampstand

Symbol of life and light

Table of the Presence

Symbol of fellowship

Shekinah Cloud

Visible presence of God

Golden Calf Incident

Idolatry using Egyptian imagery

Levites

Guardians of God’s dwelling

Leviticus

Book of covenant holiness and worship

Theme of Leviticus

Be holy as Yahweh is holy

Meaning of Holy

Set apart and dedicated to God

Five Offerings

Burnt grain peace sin and guilt

Burnt Offering

Total surrender and renewal

Grain Offering

Thankfulness

Peace Offering

Restored relationship

Sin Offering

Atonement for unintentional sin

Guilt Offering

Atonement for covenant violation

Day of Atonement

Annual covenant renewal

Scapegoat

Carries sins away

Meaning of Blood

Life belongs to God

Clean and Unclean Laws

Holiness and community protection

Purpose of Dietary Laws

Health and symbolic separation

Sabbath

Rest reflecting God’s design

Numbers

Book of covenant membership and leadership

Numbers 1–10

Covenant enrollment

Nazirite Vow

Special dedication to God

Complaints in the Wilderness

Covenant rebellion

Spies in Canaan

Fear blocks obedience

Joshua and Caleb

Models of covenant faith

Korah’s Rebellion

Challenge to priestly authority

Balaam

God blesses Israel despite opposition

Numbers 26–36

Covenant reaffirmation

Zelophehad’s Daughters

Inheritance justice

Hebrew Calendar

Time structured by covenant values

Year of Jubilee

Restoration and freedom

Deuteronomy

Moses’ farewell covenant renewal

Purpose of Deuteronomy

Covenant continuity for all generations

Literary Style of Deuteronomy

Last will and testament

Structure of Deuteronomy

Suzerain-vassal covenant format

Shema

Core confession of faith

Meaning of the Shema

Love God fully

Second Law

Law restated for a new generation