Topical Bible: Covenant: Jews With Each Other, to Serve God

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The concept of covenant in the Bible is foundational to understanding the relationship between God and His people, particularly the Israelites. A covenant is a solemn agreement, often involving promises and obligations, that establishes a relationship between parties. In the context of the Jewish people, covenants not only define their relationship with God but also their commitments to one another in serving Him.

Biblical Foundations

The idea of a covenant among the Jews to serve God collectively is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. One of the earliest instances of such a covenant is found in the Mosaic Covenant, where the Israelites collectively agree to follow God's laws. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This passage underscores the communal aspect of the covenant, emphasizing the collective identity and responsibility of the Israelites.

Renewal and Commitment

Throughout the Old Testament, there are several instances where the Jewish people renew their covenant with God, often in response to periods of disobedience or national crisis. In Joshua 24:24-25 , the people reaffirm their commitment: "And the people said to Joshua, 'We will serve the LORD our God and obey His voice.' So on that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and ordinance." This renewal signifies a collective commitment to serve God and adhere to His commandments.

Communal Responsibility

The covenant among the Jews to serve God is not merely a personal or individual commitment but a communal one. In Nehemiah 10:29 , the people of Israel bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses: "all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God, and to carefully obey all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord." This passage highlights the collective responsibility of the community to uphold the covenant.

Prophetic Emphasis

The prophets of Israel often called the people back to their covenantal obligations, emphasizing the importance of communal faithfulness. In Jeremiah 11:10 , the prophet laments the broken covenant: "They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers." The prophetic call to return to the covenant underscores the communal nature of the Jewish commitment to serve God.

Covenant and Identity

The covenant among the Jews to serve God is integral to their identity as a people. It defines their relationship with God and with each other, setting them apart as a nation dedicated to His service. This collective identity is reinforced through rituals, festivals, and laws that remind the community of their covenantal obligations.

Conclusion

The covenant among the Jews to serve God is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting a communal commitment to live according to God's laws and purposes. It is a binding agreement that shapes the identity and destiny of the Jewish people, calling them to be a light to the nations and a testament to God's faithfulness.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 15:12-15
And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 10:28-32
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On Communion in the Lord's Supper.
... to him as his people; as the Jews, by eating ... us of the blessings of the Gospel-covenant,
when we ... solicitous for the spiritual welfare of each other: and that ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xviii on communion in.htm

Obedience
... The Jews might say they were loath to be so ... Christian makes gospel piety and moral
equity kiss each other. ... When a servant has entered into covenant with his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 1 obedience.htm

Covenant Duties.
... by a sense of obligation to her, to add to the joy of each of her ... away unto Him,
taking hold upon him as given for a Covenant of the ... Thirdly, to the Jews. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... And he also judges the Jews, who do not accept ... since they themselves were members
of Christ, each one of ... declare that God would make a new covenant [4334] with ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

The Attack on the Scriptures
... anguish to see their loved one suffer, they gazed steadfastly at each other. ... Sacrifice,
as all Jews shall be ... yet will I and my sons walk in the covenant of our ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter vi the attack on.htm

John iv. 21, 22
... thou how He commendeth [864] the old Covenant, and showeth ... woman was more fair-minded
than the Jews; they did ... For these two had great love each for the other. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiii john iv 21.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... Each prophet was succeeded by a gentler ministry. ... presently: "This is the cup of
the New Covenant in my ... to explain that this Jesus, whom the Jews had delivered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

Doctrine of the Rest of the Apostles.
... the metropolis of the citizens of the new covenant; these are ... find Him, although
He be not far from each of us ... as the Creator of the world, no Jews being present ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xii doctrine of the rest.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... hence, of this, as well as of each other religious service ... in heart.[723] Yea, to
the unbelieving Jews the martyr ... But of those who are in covenant with God, as ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Further Proofs of the Same Proposition, Drawn from the Promises ...
... it: this is My blood of the new covenant, which shall ... as is the case with the Jews,
who are ... those days] become peaceful and harmonious among each other, and be ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii further proofs of the.htm