God Talk PT 3: Covenants, Israel, and Jewish identity:

What Is a Covenant?

A covenant is a binding relationship involving commitments, promises, and obligations.

What did covanents resemble in the ancient Near East?

Covenants often resembled treaties between rulers and their subjects, establishing loyalty and mutual responsibilities.

What did covenants establish?

a special relationship between God and humanity or a particular people.

Noahic Covenant Main promise:

God promises not to destroy all life again by a flood.

Noahic Covenant Sign or association:

Rainbow

Abrahamic Covenant Main promise:

Land, descendants, blessing, and a blessing to the nations.

Abrahmaic Covenant Sign or association:

Circumcision

Mosaic Covenant Main promise:

Israel becomes a covenant people called to follow God's Law.

Mosaic Covenant Sign or association:

Sinai, Torah, Sabbath

Davidic Covenant Main promise:

God promises an enduring royal dynasty through David's line.

Davidic Covenant Sign or association:

Kingship

New Covenant Main promise:

Through Jesus, Christians believe God fulfills the promise of salvation and establishes a new covenant.

New Covenant Sign or association:

Jesus' death and resurrection; Eucharist

Important connection

Christians understand Jesus as fulfilling God's covenant promises, especially those made to Abraham and David.

Chosenness in the Bible:

Israel's chosenness means God selected Israel for a particular covenant relationship and mission.

• It does not mean that Israelites are inherently more valuable than other people.

• God's blessing of Israel is intended to extend outward to the nations.

• Remeber: Chosenness means responsibility and mission, not superiority.

God's Twofold Self-Identification-

At the burning bush, God reveals himself to Moses in two important ways:

• First: God identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, connecting his revelation to Israel's history and covenant.

• Second: God reveals the divine name, commonly rendered "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), associated with the name YHWH.

(Mosaic law) Moral Law

Commands concerning right and wrong.

• Do not murder or steal.

(Mosaic law) Ceremonial or Ritual

Rules governing worship, sacrifice, purity, and holiness.

• Dietary restrictions and sacrifices.

(Mosaic law) Civil or judicial

Laws governing Israel's communal and legal life.

• Property and restitution laws.

First Fundamental Aspect of Ancient Jewish Identity

Monotheism: Worship of the one God of Israel.

Second Fundamental Aspect of Ancient Jewish Identity

Covenant: Israel's special relationship with God.

Thrid Fundamental Aspect of Ancient Jewish Identity

Torah: God's Law governing religious and ethical life.

Fourth Fundamental Aspect of Ancient Jewish Identity

Land: The promised land and Jerusalem.

Fifth Fundamental Aspect of Ancient Jewish Identity

Temple and worship: The central role of sacrifice, worship, and God's presence among his people.

Messianic Expectations in the Second Temple Period (516 BCE to 70 CE)

Expectations varied, including hopes for a Davidic king, priestly leader, or heavenly deliverer.

• Jewish communities did not all share one identical picture of the Messiah.

First Jewish Group: Pharisees

Emphasized Torah interpretation, ancestral traditions, and observance of the Law; generally affirmed resurrection.

Second Jewish Group: Sadducees

Associated with priestly and Temple leadership; generally rejected resurrection.

Third Jewish Group: Essenes

Communities emphasizing ritual purity, strict discipline, and separation from perceived corruption.

Fourth Jewish Group: Zealots

Associated with resistance to Roman rule and, in some cases, armed revolt.

Euangelion

Good news

What did the Roman use “euangelion” for?

In the Roman world, language of good news could announce an emperor's birth, accession, or military victory.

What did Christians use “euangelion” for?

When Christians proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they announced a different kind of lordship and kingdom.