At first glance, the covenant relationships Yahweh initiates with King David and with the Israelites at Sinai are largely disparate, with no obvious connective tissue other than the fact that they emanate from the same suzerain deity. Indeed, there is a preponderance of language to suggest a divergence in covenantal modes in which the Godhead operates. There is a sense in which the Sinaitic covenant emerges out of a conditional interest in the people of Israel. This appears to be different than the manner in which God expresses his interest in the Davidic dynasty which is accompanied with the assurance that his “faithful love will never leave him.” (2 Sam 7:15) The unconditionality of God’s covenant with David and his descendants gives the impression that God operates in progressively merciful dispensations. But such a suggestion misses the marvelous mystery of redemption which is everywhere told by God himself throughout Scripture. (Rom 16:25; 1 Cor 2:7; 4:1; Eph 6:19; Col 1:26; 2:2; 1 Tm 3:9)
The connective tissue between Sinai and David.
The connective tissue between Sinai and…
The connective tissue between Sinai and David.
At first glance, the covenant relationships Yahweh initiates with King David and with the Israelites at Sinai are largely disparate, with no obvious connective tissue other than the fact that they emanate from the same suzerain deity. Indeed, there is a preponderance of language to suggest a divergence in covenantal modes in which the Godhead operates. There is a sense in which the Sinaitic covenant emerges out of a conditional interest in the people of Israel. This appears to be different than the manner in which God expresses his interest in the Davidic dynasty which is accompanied with the assurance that his “faithful love will never leave him.” (2 Sam 7:15) The unconditionality of God’s covenant with David and his descendants gives the impression that God operates in progressively merciful dispensations. But such a suggestion misses the marvelous mystery of redemption which is everywhere told by God himself throughout Scripture. (Rom 16:25; 1 Cor 2:7; 4:1; Eph 6:19; Col 1:26; 2:2; 1 Tm 3:9)