What is the Covenant?

Generally defined as a formal agreement between two individuals, the covenant of the Hebrew Old Testament refers to "agreement entered into with God, initially by Abraham and later by Moses and Joshua, on behalf of their people" (II:A2) God says: "Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land that I will show you.

I will make you a great nation.

And I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you

And curse him that curses you;

And all the families of the earth

Shall bless themselves by you" (Genesis 12:1-3).

Abraham obeys God without question and departs from his home immediately to carry out God's plans for him. Eventually Abraham becomes frustrated and God appears to him in a vision. In this exchange, Abraham brings God a variety of animals as requested, and God cuts them all in two. On a symbolic level this represents a 'what's mine is yours' mentality, whereas it literally implies that God is solidifying his bargain with Abraham.

Covenants in the days of Abraham were common, though obviously none with the religious magnitude of 'The Covenant.' Mostly they were agreements between individuals regarding personal issues. However, the question specifically stated whether or not covenants were popular amongst nations during the times of Abraham. International relations during the time of the ancient Hebrews bears little resemblance contemporary notions of the idea. As said in Professor Storrs' notes, it is important to consider the "political instability and internecine strife characteristic of many ancient societies" (II:C4). Any covenant-like agreement between nations of this era would most likely be regarding warfare, and promising to stay away from certain geographic areas and refrain from invasion.

God also made a covenant with Moses which is described in the book of Exodus in the 20th chapter. Moses was told by God to return to Egypt to confront the Pharaoh and lead all of the Hebrews back to the Promised Land. The Pharaoh allowed the Hebrews to leave only after they suffered through ten plagues sent upon the Egyptians by God, yet even then he sent his armies after them. Because of strength bestowed upon Moses from God to carry out his mission, he was able to part the Red Sea and the Hebrews escaped while Pharaoh's army drowned.

Both of these covenants are related in the sense that they speak volumes about the faith of the Hebrew people. "They attributed all fortunes, good or bad, to their God" (II:A2). God led them out of slavery to the Promised Land and they view themselves as God's chosen people. Covenants offer an answer to the question of why bad things happen. Furthermore, it explains the concept of ethical monotheism, an imperative belief of the Hebrews. Monotheism states that there is one God who rules both heaven and earth. "In his justice, he expects people to behave ethically, to do what he terms good. While people have the ontological freedom to disobey, disobedience can carry dreadful consequences" (II:A2). Essentially ethical monotheism promotes one God and one God only, a God who wants his followers to act morally upright, and a God who can punish those who do not act accordingly.

WORKS CITED:

Instructional notes from Professor Robert Storrs. II: Hebrew Legacy. "Background

JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh. Jewish Publication Society: Philadelphia, PA. 2000.