Kingdom Covenants and the

Book of Devarim

1 Corinthians 15:21-28 For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a Man. For as all die in Adam, so

also all shall be made alive in Messiah . And each in his own order: Messiah the first-fruits, then those who are

of Messiah at His coming, then the end, when He delivers up the Kingdom to Elohim the Father, when He has

brought to naught all rule and all authority and power. For He has to reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be brought to naught is death. For “He has put all under His feet.” But when He says “all are put under Him,” it is clear that He who put all under Him is excepted. And when all are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself shall also be subject to Him who put all

under Him, in order that Elohim be all in all.

Hebrews 6:1-2

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of the Messiah, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward Elohim, of the doctrine of immersions, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Why Study Kingdom Covenants? • Understand Biblical Language in its original ancient

context • Gain a better understanding of our obligations as servants

of the Great King of the Universe • Learn how to truly live in unity according to the word of

YHVH in its covenant context • Learn to submit to our creator by understanding His

authority. • Teach Hebrew Roots Communities to begin the process of

living according to what covenant really means • Equip our Brothers and Sisters to understand their roles in

YHVH’s Kingdom • Empower our prayers through Kingdom language • Finally, understand the language of Covenant used by

Yeshua, the Apostles, and Paul in their writings.

Importance of Study

• Culture and idioms • Political language • Assumed knowledge in Scripture • Unity in definition • Covenants are the “glue” of Scripture

Zephaniah 3:9

“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they may argue,

bicker, and divide about how to say My name and the name of My son.”

(Messianic Sacred Name Version)

Zephaniah 3:9

“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of YHWH, to serve Him with

one accord.”

(NKJV)

Martin Luther

“Theology is the application of the laws of grammar to the words of the Holy Spirit”

According to Wikipedia, there are 38,000 Christian denominations in the world today.

Meredith Kline

“Covenants function as the administrative

instruments for God’s kingly rule”

The Historical and Biblical look into The

Ancient Near Eastern World

Sources of Study

Covenant vs. Contract

Difference between a covenant and a contract (Ref: Hugenberger’s Marriage as a Covenant)

– Covenant is “an elected, as opposed to natural, relationship of obligation established under divine sanction”

– Contract is “private legal and commercial agreements of which the principle guarantors are the courts and community rather than God or the gods”

Steps of an ANE Covenant

1. Exchange of coat/robe 2. Exchange of weapon/armor 3. Cutting of the covenant 4. Exchanging names 5. Making a scar 6. Swearing an oath in

presence of witnesses 7. Memorial meal 8. Setting up a memorial

Suzerainty Occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state some limited domestic autonomy. The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a suzerain. The term suzerainty was originally used to describe the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and its surrounding regions. It differs from sovereignty in that the tributary enjoys some (often limited) self-rule. A suzerain can also refer to a feudal lord, to whom vassals must pay tribute.

To Love אהב

When used in political and covenantal language it means:

To abide by one’s covenantal oath, an act of absolute fealty to another

It is used to describe loyalty and friendship between political entities and their vassals.

To Love אהב

The Armana letters of the 14th century BCE: – Pharaoh ‘loved’ his vassal and the vassal ‘loved’

Pharaoh.

Vassal treaty of Esarhaddon:

– “You shall love Assurbanipal…as yourselves”

Defeated kings would swear to love the suzerain

To Know yada

Treaty between the Hittite king Suppiluliumas and the vassal Huqqanas:

“And you, Huqqanas, know only the Sun regarding lordship; also my son (of) whom I, the Sun, say ‘This one everyone should know...you, Huqqanas, know him. Moreover (those) who are my sons, his brothers, (or) my brothers...know as a brother and associate. Moreover, another lord...do not...know! The Sun [alone] ‘know’! ...Moreover, any other do not know!”

To Know yada

Treaty between the Hittite king Muwattalis and the vassal Alaksandus:

“As he [the rebel] is an enemy to you, even so he is an enemy to the Sun; [and] I, the Sun, will know only you.”

To Know yada

1 Chronicles 28:9

“As for you, my son Shelomoh, know the Elohim of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a pleasing life, for יהוה searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you do seek Him, He is found by you; but if you forsake Him, He rejects you forever. “

Chesed/Mercy

Translated as: Mercy, Kindness, Loving-Kindness, Favor Actually means: YHWH’s steadfast loyalty to the covenant despite disloyalty on the vassal’s part. It does not refer to sentimental kindness nor suggest mercy apart from repentance.

3 Types of ANE Treaties 1. Royal Grant

a) Given as a reward for faithful service b) Land or Positional c) Self-maledictory on the suzerain’s part

2. Suzerainty a) Vassal comes under protection and rule of the

suzerain b) Blessings and curses towards the vassal

3. Parity a) Parties are equal b) Covenant of friendship and brotherhood

Parts of a Suzerainty

• Preamble • Historical Prologue • Stipulations • Ancillary Commandments • Sanctions • Dynastic Disposition

Examples of Parity Covenants

• Solomon • Israelites with each other

Examples of Royal Grant Covenants

Land Grant – Adam – Noach – Abraham

Positional Grant – Levites – Pinchas – David – Renewed Covenant

Examples of Suzerainty Covenants

• Adam and the forbidden tree • Noach and building the ark • Joseph and Pharoah • Sinai covenant • Devarim & Joshua 8 • Joshua 24

Sefer Ha’Devarim

• Devarim vs. Deuteronomy

• Setting of Devarim

• Devarim as a suzerainty treaty

• Covenant Renewal

• Dynastic Succession

Adoption, Heirs, and Inheritance

• Paul, Peter, John, and the writer of Hebrews use this language

• We are heirs to the Kingdom and the covenants through adoption

• We are no longer gentiles

The Prophets as a Covenant Lawsuit

The prophets were messengers of the Great King Literary format:

– Introduction – Address by the plaintiff – Accusations in question format – Indictment of the accused – Witnesses

Avot Prayer

Blessed are You YHWH our Elohim and Elohim of our forefathers. Elohim of Avraham, Elohim of Yitz’chak, and Elohim of Ya’akov. The Great, the Mighty and Awesome El, Most High Elohim, who bestows beneficial kindnesses and creates everything. Who recalls the kindnesses of the forefathers and brings a Redeemer to their children’s children for his Name’s sake with love. O King, Helper, Savior, and Shield. Blessed are You YHWH, Shield of Avraham