GCTS Bible Journey
4. (10/20) A Nation is Formed, Part 2
Biblical Topics: Covenant and Tabernacle
Background: covenants in the ancient Near East
Contemporary Issues: the Kingdom of God, Christians and Old Testament Law, the
Divine Presence
Readings: Exodus 20-40, Arnold/Beyer – finish Chpt. 6; Youngblood Chpt. 5,
Duvall/Hayes Chpt. 5; Auditors: Ex 20-24
The Sinai Covenant and Covenants in Moses’ Day
In the Text and Behind the Text
Mount Sinai
What is a covenant (review)?
Types of covenants in the ancient Near East and in the Old Testament
The Parts of a Suzerain-Vassal Covenant in the mid-late 2nd millennium and the
Sinai/Mosaic Covenant
BibleJourney
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
In Front of the Text
Why did God use the form of a covenant to define his relationship to his people?
What does the use of this form tell us about who God is? About who his people
are?
Where is the Kingdom of God now? (Ex 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9)
The NT Christian and the OT Law
The Tabernacle: Immanuel/God with us
In the Text
Architecture, Contents, Materials
Behind the Text
The Ark of the Covenant and Royal Footstools
Covenant Broken (the Golden Calf)
In the Text
“These are your gods, O Israel”
Behind the Text
Bull and Calf Idols
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BibleJourney
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
In the Text
The Long Nose of God
In Front of the Text
The Divine Presence and Immanuel
Recommended books
James Hoffmeier, Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus
Tradition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Tremper Longman, How to Read Exodus, IVP Academic, 2009.
Sandra Richter, The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament, Downers
Grove: IVP Academic, 2008.
Douglas Stuart, Exodus: New American Commentary, B & H Publishing, 2006.
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