PENTATEUCH REFLECTION exam

RIC ALLEN C.
GARVIDA
NIDC BIBLE SCHOOL
COURSE: PENTATEUCH
REV. PTR. DEBORAH A. LOMBOY
Write a 2-3 paragraph reflection on how a specific event or

theological theme from the Pentateuch impacts Pentecostal
doctrine.
A significant theme found throughout the Pentateuch is that of the Covenant
promise, which God establishes between himself and his people. From the
covenant with Adam in Genesis 1 through to the covenants between, Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Israel and the covenant renewal of Deuteronomy we see
the centrality of this concept.
What is important to note with each of the covenants is “each covenant has
its own character and scope; and each prepares for and provides the
foundation for, the next” (Wolf 1991, 45). Anderson (1999, 81), in agreement
goes on to say “many bible scholars, especially Protestant scholars, ignore
the organic unity of scripture in regards to covenants.”
This progressive nature of the covenants between God and man takes the
following form. In Genesis 1-2 we read of the first covenant between Adam
and God with the promise of paradise on the condition they do not eat from
the tree. In Genesis 9:8-17 we see an everlasting covenant made with Noah
and all of creation that God would never destroy the earth again by flood,
with the rainbow being the covenant sign.

Genesis 12:1-3 God makes a conditional promise to Abram, that if he were to
leave his people, his country; God would make his name great, increase his
people into a great nation, give spiritual and material prosperity and be a
blessing to others. Through this covenant, God shows his character and
ultimate plan for humankind.
In Genesis 15 we see a renewal of this promise, this unconditional covenant
to give Abram and his descendants the land, “To your descendants I have
given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river
Euphrates: the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite” (Gen 15:18-19).
The covenant made with Abraham in Genesis 17 is more restrictive and
nationalistic. “This covenant differs from the creation covenant in that it
requires the ancestral family to demonstrate commitment on its part: the
circumcision of all males in the ancestral household” (Anderson 1999, 82).
Circumcision was a sign of belonging to the covenant and in their pagan
society this was an important sign of their true worship to the one true God.
God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 and 15 is then repeated to Isaac
in Genesis 26.
In Exodus we see the miraculous deliverance of God’s people from bondage
in Egypt. In Exodus 19-24, the covenant promises made in Genesis 15 and
17 with Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation are now being
realised, as God restates his agreement with Israel. “This covenant, made
with the people of Israel, was regulated by an extensive set of laws and
regulations contained within Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers” (Bandstra
2004, 47). In Exodus 20 God speaks the Ten Commandments. These
commandments were meant to not only show how the Israelites should live a
holy life in practice, but also the nature of God. The commandments being a
gift of love, grace in action. As pointed out by Bandstra (2004, 47), “For a
proper appreciation of the place of the law in the Old Testament it is
essential to bear in mind that nearly all the laws in the Pentateuch appear
within a covenant framework. Law is therefore integral to God’s saving plan
which is worked out through covenants.” The Ten Commandments were the
centrepiece of the Covenant having been ‘inscribed by the finger of God’
(Exod 31:18; 34:1 and 28).
In Leviticus 26:14-45, we read that God cannot and will not break his
covenant promise with the Israelites. Even after the Israelites broke their
side of the covenant, experiencing the worst consequences of the covenant
curses, there was still restoration if they repented. God’s purpose was not to
destroy them but for them to grow and retain hope.
Numbers 25:10-13 a covenant of peace is made, maintaining the family of
Phinehas in a ‘lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honour of
his God and made atonement for the Israelites’ (Num 25:13). Due to
Phinehas’ devotion to God and his anger towards the sins of his nation,
having killed a fellow Israelite for sinning, God does not punish Phinehas, but
rewards him for honouring God. Here we see God rewarding man for
following and keeping the covenant.
In Deuteronomy we see the history of Israel. It is a history of Israel’s failure
to keep the covenants, thereby incurring God’s judgement, wrath and
punishment. Moses warns the Israelites of the dangers and threats that face
them in the Promised Land. Right from the beginning of Genesis, God
understood that Israel would not keep the Covenant, yet it is very clear God
would maintain the covenant and preserve his people, never rejecting them
totally but continuing to work in and through them. Deuteronomy 30
highlights that even though the covenants had been broken, there was still
hope and restoration for its people. “Even if she rebels, her destiny is always
under her sovereign Lord” (Wenham 1978).
Each of the covenants contained within the Pentateuch marked a significant
development in God’s covenantal relationship with Israel. Through each of
the covenants we are able to see his grace and faithfulness to his people, no
matter how unfaithful they were. God progressively reveals himself through
each of the covenants through grace and faithfulness. As found in Wenham
(1978), “covenants are aptly described as acts of divine grace; that is, they
are arrangements initiated by God out of his spontaneous mercy, not
because of the deserts of those with whom the covenants are made.”

PENTATEUCH REFLECTION exam

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PENTATEUCH REFLECTION exam

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PENTATEUCH REFLECTION exam

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RIC ALLEN C.

Write a 2-3 paragraph reflection on how a specific event or

A significant theme found throughout the Pentateuch is that of the Covenant

covenant with Adam in Genesis 1 through to the covenants between, Noah,

Abraham, Moses, Israel and the covenant renewal of Deuteronomy we see

the centrality of this concept.

goes on to say “many bible scholars, especially Protestant scholars, ignore

the organic unity of scripture in regards to covenants.”

with the rainbow being the covenant sign.

ultimate plan for humankind.

In Genesis 15 we see a renewal of this promise, this unconditional covenant

The covenant made with Abraham in Genesis 17 is more restrictive and

nationalistic. “This covenant differs from the creation covenant in that it

requires the ancestral family to demonstrate commitment on its part: the

circumcision of all males in the ancestral household” (Anderson 1999, 82).

Circumcision was a sign of belonging to the covenant and in their pagan

God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 and 15 is then repeated to Isaac

In Exodus we see the miraculous deliverance of God’s people from bondage

in Egypt. In Exodus 19-24, the covenant promises made in Genesis 15 and

regulations contained within Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers” (Bandstra

2004, 47). In Exodus 20 God speaks the Ten Commandments. These

proper appreciation of the place of the law in the Old Testament it is

within a covenant framework. Law is therefore integral to God’s saving plan

centrepiece of the Covenant having been ‘inscribed by the finger of God’

(Exod 31:18; 34:1 and 28).

side of the covenant, experiencing the worst consequences of the covenant

destroy them but for them to grow and retain hope.

Numbers 25:10-13 a covenant of peace is made, maintaining the family of

Phinehas in a ‘lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honour of

following and keeping the covenant.

In Deuteronomy we see the history of Israel. It is a history of Israel’s failure

to keep the covenants, thereby incurring God’s judgement, wrath and

totally but continuing to work in and through them. Deuteronomy 30

under her sovereign Lord” (Wenham 1978).

Each of the covenants contained within the Pentateuch marked a significant

development in God’s covenantal relationship with Israel. Through each of

each of the covenants through grace and faithfulness. As found in Wenham

are arrangements initiated by God out of his spontaneous mercy, not

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.