Discuss the components that make up a loyalty oath (suzerain-vassal treaty)and explain how Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments) fits into that genre.
The most prevalent and well preserved writings of the Ancient Near Eastern culture were that of the suzerain-vassal treaty structure so it is by no mistake that the writings of the Old Testament from that time period would incorporate that into into their literary structure. The Ten Commandments provides one of the clearest forms of that use. The preamble, or the statement of the covenant parties, shows God to be the great King in verses 1 to 2a. Next, the historical prologue, provides the context for what the great king has done for his vassals, Israel, in delivering them out of slavery. The great king has redeemed his people in verse 2b. As the Ten Commandments continue to unfold in verses 3 - 17, we see the stipulations or the law that set the parameters for loyalty oath such as: remembering the sabbath, honoring your parents and so forth. Within these stipulations we discover divine sanctions or cursings and blessings for disobedience and obedience to these stipulations. Cursing like punishment for sin and blessings like enduring love to the family of covenant keepers. The preservation or documentary clause of this suzerain-vassal treaty was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and was to be set inside the Ark of the Covenant protecting and preserving this loyalty oath from any additions, corruptions or redactions. Finally, the witness of this treaty was before the entire assembly of God's people at Mount Sinai as it was consumed by fire. This witness would be preserved in the Ark as the Israelites camped all around it when they rested, and would lead them throughout the wilderness as they marched towards the promise land. Ultimately, God is the divine witness and preserver as he made his presence and dwelling place above the Ark upon the mercy seat.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Final Exam Part 2: Abrahamic Covenant
The Abrahamic Covenant, as we discussed in class, consisted in three promises, two which were significant in Genesis. What were these two significant promises? Describe also the two-fold fulfillment of these covenant promises in the history of redemption.
God gave Abraham the promise of a great blessing in Genesis 12 through the promises of a son or seed, through the promise of a land to call their own in Genesis 15, and finally the promise of a covenant law to govern the people in the land in Genesis 17. The significant promises in Genesis are that of the seed in the promised son and heir, for without an heir Abraham could not become a great nation. And the promise of the land to call their own, so that they could find rest in the dwelling place of God as Adam experienced in the garden. The initial fulfillment of the promised seed is a typological fulfillment in Isaac pointing towards the true fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the seed of Genesis 3 and Galatians 3. The birth of Isaac leads to the establishment of the patriarchal line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which gives rise to the royal family in Genesis finding greater fulfillment in the Nation of Israel as evidenced in the Hexateauch. Finally this promise realizes its true and ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ, the true Israel. The second significant promise of land is given its typological fulfillment in the Book of Joshua, but the foundations for the people dwelling in the promise land are laid in Genesis. It is important to note that the dwelling place of God was the focus of the need of land and rest. The true seed, Jesus Christ, would pave the way to the true promise land of the eternal, heavenly Kingdom. This the ultimate dwelling place of God, where true rest and true fulfillment of God's promise will come.
God gave Abraham the promise of a great blessing in Genesis 12 through the promises of a son or seed, through the promise of a land to call their own in Genesis 15, and finally the promise of a covenant law to govern the people in the land in Genesis 17. The significant promises in Genesis are that of the seed in the promised son and heir, for without an heir Abraham could not become a great nation. And the promise of the land to call their own, so that they could find rest in the dwelling place of God as Adam experienced in the garden. The initial fulfillment of the promised seed is a typological fulfillment in Isaac pointing towards the true fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the seed of Genesis 3 and Galatians 3. The birth of Isaac leads to the establishment of the patriarchal line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which gives rise to the royal family in Genesis finding greater fulfillment in the Nation of Israel as evidenced in the Hexateauch. Finally this promise realizes its true and ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ, the true Israel. The second significant promise of land is given its typological fulfillment in the Book of Joshua, but the foundations for the people dwelling in the promise land are laid in Genesis. It is important to note that the dwelling place of God was the focus of the need of land and rest. The true seed, Jesus Christ, would pave the way to the true promise land of the eternal, heavenly Kingdom. This the ultimate dwelling place of God, where true rest and true fulfillment of God's promise will come.
Final Exam Part 1
Describe its significance in the place of the redemptive history. You are free to write as much as you need, but one page per passage should be sufficient. Use additional sheets of paper for your answer.
Genesis 49: 8-12
The line of Judah is the most significant line of the covenant family of Israel because it is form his offspring that the ultimate Redeemer King will come. Jacob's blessing upon his son reveals this truth through the kingly imagery, the promise of the Prince of Peace and through the sacrificial prophesy of the blood covenant. Judah is presented as the typological king that the Lord Jesus Christ truly is. Genesis 49:8 reveals the exalted status of a kingly ruler that is obeyed and bowed down before. Genesis 49: 9-10 continues to show a victorious king who rules as Christ will rule through his victories over sin and death. The climax of the kingly rule of Jesus Christ will be as the Prince of Peace or Shiloh as Genesis 49:10 reveals his true fulfilling nature in the blessings of Judah. This climax is made effectual through the one true blood sacrifice of Christ on the cross. The donkey that Jacob blesses Judah with is the very same donkey that the triumphal king will ride to the cross as a sign of the true nature of his sacrifice. This is the same donkey of Zechariah 9 and Luke 19 showing the promised King's redemptive powers. Finally this passage paints the image of shed blood and victory over death as Jesus Christ fulfills the stained robes with his own blood as the consummation of his redemptive power.
Exodus 12: 12-30
The active power of God to save his people through the shedding of redemptive blood is given through a vivid picture of salvation and death here in Exodus 12. Judgment is delivered upon the Egyptians as was promised as death plagues the land. This was the final sign and wonder given to reveal the Divine Creator King. The sacrifice of the paschal lamb was ultimately fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ. His death and shedding of blood was like the active protection of YHWH for the people of Israel in Exodus 12. The propitiatory nature of covering the houses of God's chosen people and His active preservation of their lives puts the psach in a more proactive light than does the passive nature of simply passing over. For it is God, seeing Israel's obedience to his command that he actively protects them from the Destroyer. Just like it is Jesus Christ who uses his own blood to actively cover over His chosen people to preserve their lives unto everlasting life.
Genesis 49: 8-12
The line of Judah is the most significant line of the covenant family of Israel because it is form his offspring that the ultimate Redeemer King will come. Jacob's blessing upon his son reveals this truth through the kingly imagery, the promise of the Prince of Peace and through the sacrificial prophesy of the blood covenant. Judah is presented as the typological king that the Lord Jesus Christ truly is. Genesis 49:8 reveals the exalted status of a kingly ruler that is obeyed and bowed down before. Genesis 49: 9-10 continues to show a victorious king who rules as Christ will rule through his victories over sin and death. The climax of the kingly rule of Jesus Christ will be as the Prince of Peace or Shiloh as Genesis 49:10 reveals his true fulfilling nature in the blessings of Judah. This climax is made effectual through the one true blood sacrifice of Christ on the cross. The donkey that Jacob blesses Judah with is the very same donkey that the triumphal king will ride to the cross as a sign of the true nature of his sacrifice. This is the same donkey of Zechariah 9 and Luke 19 showing the promised King's redemptive powers. Finally this passage paints the image of shed blood and victory over death as Jesus Christ fulfills the stained robes with his own blood as the consummation of his redemptive power.
Exodus 12: 12-30
The active power of God to save his people through the shedding of redemptive blood is given through a vivid picture of salvation and death here in Exodus 12. Judgment is delivered upon the Egyptians as was promised as death plagues the land. This was the final sign and wonder given to reveal the Divine Creator King. The sacrifice of the paschal lamb was ultimately fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ. His death and shedding of blood was like the active protection of YHWH for the people of Israel in Exodus 12. The propitiatory nature of covering the houses of God's chosen people and His active preservation of their lives puts the psach in a more proactive light than does the passive nature of simply passing over. For it is God, seeing Israel's obedience to his command that he actively protects them from the Destroyer. Just like it is Jesus Christ who uses his own blood to actively cover over His chosen people to preserve their lives unto everlasting life.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
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