Midterm Reminder

Date: Next Wed., Oct. 22• Based on lectures

o 3 parts 1st: matching/short answer; 2nd: 2 paragraph answer; 3rd: 1 essay

o Material to know Social-historical background to the HB Basic composition of the HB Basic plotline of the HB JEDP theory and criticisms Lectures on Genesis Lectures on Exodus—Deuteronomy Lectures on Early/Former Prophets

Last day in 2201 . . .

• ExodusoMiraculous deliverance from Egypt

• Revelation of the Torah at Sinai• Wilderness wandering

o Complaint/rebellion—provision/discipline

• Balaam . . .

Inheriting the Promise:Exodus, Law, and Covenant

The Bizarre Story of Balaam (Numbers 22-24)• Israel is a divinely blessed nation• God’s blessing of Israel is irrevocable• God cannot be bribed to turn against Israel• God is sovereign over the actions of his people• God protects Israel from curses

Inheriting the Promise:Exodus, Law, and Covenant

Balaam’s Reluctant Blessing (Numbers 22-24)• They cannot be cursed by God: 23:8• God is with them and protects them: 23:21-23• God will exalt their king and kingdom: 24:7;

24:17-19• They are conduits of divine blessing: 24:9

Deuteronomy:The Book of the Covenant

• “Deuteronomy” means “second law”• Definition of “covenant”

o “An arrangement intended to establish a permanent relationship between two parties based on a solemn obligation undertaken by one or both parties.”

• God’s relationship with Israel is characterized as a covenant relationship

Deuteronomy:The Book of the Covenant

• Israel’s covenant is parallel to ANE vassal treaties (treaty between a great king and a lesser king)o Greater king promises his protectiono Lesser king promises his obedience/allegiance

Deuteronomy:The Book of the Covenant

• Elements of an ANE Vassal Treatyo Historical Prologue

History of the relationship between the parties: typically, what the greater king has done for the lesser

o Stipulations Covenantal obligations of the lesser party

o Witnesses Swearing or oath-taking in the name of deities to intensify

covenant obligationso Sanctions

List of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience

Deuteronomy:The Book of the Covenant

• ANE Vassal Treaty Elements in Deuteronomyo Historical Prologue

Deuteronomy 1-4o Stipulations

Deuteronomy 12-26oWitnesses

Swearing by “heaven and earth,” (4:26; 30:19; 31:28)o Sanctions

Deuteronomy 28-29

Deuteronomy: An Overview

• Narrative Setting: 1:1-3• Moses’ First Speech: Remember the Past—

What God has Done for You (chaps. 1-4)o The appointment of leaderso The account of the spying out the Land

Their unbelief; the subsequent rebellion; and the consequent punishment of wilderness wandering

o Conclusion: 4:1-9

Deuteronomy: An Overview• Moses’ Second Speech: Remember the Law—What

God has Given You (chaps. 4-11)o To worship and serve God alone and not idolso To love and obey God according to the Lawo The Ten Commandments vs. The Ten Commandments

• Legal Stipulations (chaps. 12-26)o Worshipo Dietaryo Festivalso Templeo Civilo Moral

The Exodus Ten vs.The Deuteronomy Ten

Exodus 20• Setting: Mt. Sinai• Purpose: establish covenant• Sabbath

o “Remember”o “Animals”o Observance tied to creation

• Honouring Parents: to ensure long life in the Land

Deuteronomy 5• Setting: East of the Jordan• Purpose: renew covenant• Sabbath

o “Observe”o “Ox, donkey, animals”o “So that your servants may rest

like you”o Observance tied to the exodus

• Honouring Parents: to ensure long life and prosperity in the Land

The Exodus Ten vs.The Deuteronomy Ten

Exodus 20• Coveting

o Neighbour’s house o His wife

• Subsequent lawso Prohibition of idolatryo Altar Guidelines

Deuteronomy 5• Coveting

o Neighbour’s wife o His houseo His land

• Subsequent lawso The Shema

The Exodus Ten vs.The Deuteronomy Ten

Accounting for the Differences• Two different social-historical circumstances

o Exodus:• Earlier: 14th

• Covenant being established• Not in the Land

o Deuteronomy: later time• Later: 7th BCE• Covenant being renewed (cf. Shema)• In the Land (cf. coveting; parents)

Deuteronomy Overview continued

• Covenantal Sanctions (chaps. 27-29)o Curses for disobedienceo Blessings for obedience

• Renewing the Covenant (chaps. 30-31): 30:10-15

• Mosaic Blessing upon Israel (chaps. 31-33)• Moses’ Death (chap. 34)

The Early/Former Prophets

Composition of the Early/Former Prophets• Deuteronomistic History (DH)

o The theory that the book of Deuteronomy was written as part of and belongs with the history that follows the Pentateuch, viz., the books of Joshua—Kings (minus Ruth), rather than the so-called books of Moses (Genesis—Numbers). Deuteronomy is the preface for Joshua—Kings

o DH was written during the Babylonian exile

The Early/Former Prophets

Rationale for DH• Evidence for Deuteronomy belonging with

what follows (Josh—Kings) rather than what precedes it (Gen—Num)o Contradictions between laws in Deuteronomy and

corresponding laws in Exodus & Numbers; e.g.: Deut 14:28-29 vs. Num 18:21, 24 Deut 15:19-21 vs. Num 18:14

The Early/Former Prophets

Rationale for DH• More evidence for Deuteronomy belonging with

what follows rather than what precedeso Reference to Israel having a king: Deut 17:14-20o A Deuteronomic tone can be heard in the various

speeches throughout Josh-Kings Joshua 1; 23 1 Samuel 12 2 Samuel 7 1 Kings 8 2 Kings 17; 21

The Early/Former Prophets• Evidence for the Compositional Unity of Joshua—

Kingso Linguistic connections between Joshua and Judges

Josh 15:15-19; cf. Judg 1:11-15 Josh 15:63; cf. Judg 1:21 Josh 17:12-13; cf. Judg 1:27-28 Josh 24:29-31; cf. Judg 2:6-9 Josh 6:26; cf. 1 Kgs 16:34

o Linguistic connections between Judges and Samuel 1 Sam 1:1: “There was a man”, cf. Judg 17:1, 7; 19:1 1 Sam 1:1: “The hill country of Ephraim”, cf. Judg 17:1, 7;

18:2, 13; 19:1, 11 (cf. Josh 17:15; 21:21)

The Early/Former Prophets

• Evidence for the Lateness of DHo Deut 34:10-12 presupposes a long period of time

between Moses and these wordso “To this day” references in Joshua—Kingso Book of Jashar reference: Josh 10:13; cf. 2 Sam

1:17-18