COVENANTS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Covenant • solemn agreement to do or not do something• An oath promising to obey the agreement with

some external ritual to formalize covenant• 4 major covenants• Noah• Abraham• Moses• David

• Prophet Jeremiah foretold of New Covenant

COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM

• Nomadic herder; lived in present day southern Iraq• He heard call; believed call; obeyed call• God’s promise to Abraham:• Father of great nation• Given a land (Canaan)• Would be blessed & name revered• Entire earth would be blessed through him – father of

Jewish, Muslim, & Christian faiths• Would have a child despite age & circumstance

Sign of covenant would be circumcision

• How do we model this? • How do we hear God?• Do we believe what we hear? Why or why not?• What helps us to obey? What is an obstacle to

obeying God’s call?

COVENANT WITH MOSES

• God anoints Moses to lead Israelites out of slavery – Exodus• God forms covenant on Mt. Sinai• Selects them as Chosen People; they are to serve

him as one true God• Gives them Law summarized in Decalogue• Natural law – reflected in Decalogue• See definition pg 45 (Very important concept)

• They were to witness to world by worshipping one God & living out commandments

COVENANT WITH DAVID

• Saul & David follow time of Judges: Military leaders who:• Protected Israel• Settled disputes• Reminded people of responsibilities to God

Historical books from theological perspective• God’s hand was in selection of David as king• God promised that Israel would be a royal dynasty• This led to belief in Messiah who would save Chosen

People• Title for Jesus sometimes Son of David • Belief in God’s faithfulness

GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES – A DIVIDED KINGDOM

• __________ follows David as king• Builds the _______ in ________• Under his sons the kingdom divides• Northern kingdom – centered in______, consists of ____ of

12 tribes of Israel• Southern Kingdom – centered in ________, consists of ____

of 12 tribes (Benjamin & Judah)

• Northern Kingdom falls to ________• Southern Kingdom overrun by_________• Prophets reminded people of their

_________________ • Reminded people of need to stay faithful to one true God• Follow Law• Look out for needs of poor and powerless• Often challenged by corrupt rulers & status quo

PROPHETS PREACH REPENTANCE & HOPE, PGS. 47 - 49

• Amos• Said worship of God required _____________________• Warned people to ___________ or nation would be

_________• “Hate evil and love good and let justice prevail at the

gate.” Amos 5:15

• Jeremiah• Used_______to get his message of repentance across• Reminded people in exile in Babylon that God had not

abandoned them• Knowledge of God would be in__________ since didn’t

have access to Temple; books

• Ezekiel• Warned before fall of Jerusalem of need to turn back to

God• After fall he offered _________ – • a new _________ would make a covenant of peace with

people;• God would restore the nation• They would return to ______________

• Isaiah – Coming of Messiah• 3 parts to book of Isaiah probably by______________• Ch 1- 39; first prophet; • preached message of repentance to sinful nation; • prophesied that God would give them a sign which was

________________

• Ch 40-55 Deutero-Isaiah; • preached that God was coming to save His people; • God’s love was everlasting like love of _______ for ______• Everything that exists comes from God and depends on God• They are to be________ for other nations to worship

__________________

Servant Songs – describe a “servant” whom God will use to bring a glorious future; we believe they refer to _________

Ch. 56 – 66 third prophet after Jews return from exileGod’s salvation is meant for_____ not just ____________

APPROACHING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

• In centuries before Jesus birth, Israelites ruled by many different people• Faithful Jews kept religion alive through worship in

Temple & also praying together in synagogues• Alexander the Great – tried to make Jews like the

Greeks• Seleucid Dynasty – tried to wipe out Judaism; this

led to Macabean revolt; brief period of independence

• Romans – in power at time of Jesus’ birth• Appointed Herod the Great to govern – not completely

Jewish• great builder – rebuilt Temple; roads• Cruel & jealous leader – slaughter of Holy Innocents