Exodus and The Covenant

Exodus- a mass departure; often related to the journey of the Hebrew people from Egypt to the promised land. Covenant- a formal binding agreement

Covenant Central to Israelite faith Hebrew word “Berit”, whose original meaning was shackle or chain, used to express the idea of covenant

“Berit” captures the heart of Israel’s religious beliefs, that of being bound to an unbreakable covenant-union with God God has given them commandments to guide their daily life They owe God worship, fidelity, and obedience They are marked by the sign of that covenant bond The Covenant created the unity of the nation Israel based on submission to the divine will and confession that He alone is God

The Sinai Covenant This covenant is the central event of the Pentateuch Described in the last 22 chapters of Exodus, all of Leviticus, first 10 chapters of Numbers Exodus 19: 3-6 “ Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the Lord called him and said ‘ Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites you have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to Myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites.’ “

Exodus: God establishes a community in covenant, law and worship Exodus 24:3-8 Ratification of the Covenant “ when Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the Lord, they all answered with one voice’ We will do everything the Lord has told us.’ Moses then wrote down the words of the Lord….” Altar and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel

Importance of Sinai Covenant Three different traditions or accounts of the Covenant at Sinai and its place in the Exodus story “J” tradition: Yahwists- God is Yahweh God walks and talks with us Stress on blessing; earthy speech about God Uses the term “Sinai” Calls natives Canaanites

“E” tradition: Elohist; stress on northern Israel God is Elohim; speaks in dreams Stress on fear of the Lord Refined speech about God Prophetic narrative and warnings Uses “Horeb” Call natives “Amorites”

“P” tradition: Priestly; stress on Judah God is Elohim;cultic approach to God Stress on law obeyed Majestic speech about God Also stresses cultic dry lists and schemata Uses genealogy lists

The older J and E traditions know of the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob found in Genesis and finally sealed with Moses and the people at Mt. Sinai The P tradition emphasizes covenant most fully, seeing God’s actions as a series of blessings and promises that lead up to fulfillment at Sinai

Summary Exodus is the story of the Hebrew people leaving Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land The three traditions,”J”, “E”, and “P”, tell the story of the Israelites with emphasis on different views of the role of God and covenant with the Chosen People The Covenant made at Sinai united the Hebrew people into the nation of Israel where once they were the twelve tribes

Exodus 34:6-7 is one of the richest expressions of Israel’s understanding of what the covenant with Yahweh meant- Yahweh is an all powerful and loving God, slow to anger, rich in kindness and fidelity It was at Sinai that Yahweh gave the commandments to Moses twice- thus showing His loving forgiveness and promise

References Lawrence Boat, Reading the Old Testament, 1984, Palest Press, Mahwah,N.J., New York, N.Y. New American Bible, 2 nd ed., Oxford Press, Reading Guide on the Book of Exodus Dictionary of the Bible, John L. McKenzie, S.J.,Macmillan Publishing Co. 1965