Interesting Facts

• The Almighty dictates the history of the world, from the Creation until the building of His sanctuary in Jerusalem, to Moses on Mount Sinai over a period of forty days and forty nights, for the purpose that future generations might understand His righteousness despite their transgressions.
• The Creator establishes the Sabbath as a “great sign,” sanctifying it for Himself in heaven and on earth, commanding its observance and decreeing death for those who profane it or perform work on this holy day.
• YHWH is portrayed as actively intervening in human affairs, such as opening Abram’s mouth, ears, and lips to teach him the Hebrew language, the tongue of creation, after it ceased from the mouths of all men at the Tower of Babel.
• Despite ordaining judgment for all who depart from His ordained paths, the Lord shows mercy and forgiveness to the children of Israel if they turn to Him in righteousness once each year, a decree written on the heavenly tablets.
• The Divine Being engages in direct communication with individuals through dreams and visions, revealing future events and His will, as seen in Enoch’s visions of the Watchers’ judgment and Jacob’s dream of the history of the ages on seven tablets.

Historical Context

The actions of the Lord, as depicted in these ancient texts, are often presented against a backdrop of increasing human deviation from divine commands and the establishment of a chosen people. The narrative begins with the Creation and quickly progresses to humanity’s propensity for sin, exemplified by the Watchers who transgressed divine ordinances. This sets the stage for divine judgments, such as the Flood, which eradicated all but Noah and his family due to pervasive wickedness and violence. Following the Flood, the texts highlight the re-emergence of idolatry and rebellion, seen in the generations leading to Abram and the construction of the Tower of Babel. The covenant established with Abraham and his descendants is central to the historical context, positioning them as a distinct people called to observe specific laws and ordinances, including circumcision and the avoidance of intermingling with other nations and their idolatrous practices. The interactions with surrounding cultures, such as the Egyptians and Canaanites, further shape the narrative and illustrate the Lord’s involvement in protecting and guiding His chosen people.

Narrative

The narrative of the Lord in these sources unfolds as a series of interventions, commandments, and judgments, all aimed at establishing and maintaining a relationship with humanity, particularly with the lineage of Abraham. Initially, God communicates directly with figures like Moses, instructing him on the history of creation and the laws for the future generations. He establishes covenants, promising blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience, as seen in the covenant with Abraham regarding his seed and the land. The Lord actively tests the faith and obedience of key figures, such as Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac, demonstrating the importance of unwavering devotion. Divine justice is a recurring theme, evidenced by the judgment on the Watchers, the destruction brought by the Flood, and the plagues upon Pharaoh for taking Sarai. However, the narrative also emphasizes divine mercy and grace, shown through the salvation of Noah, the deliverance of Abram from the fiery furnace, and the repeated promises of redemption and restoration for the people of Israel should they turn back to Him. The Lord’s interactions are not always direct; He often works through angels, such as the angel of the presence who instructs Moses and the angel who descends to Jacob with the tablets. Ultimately, the narrative portrays a God who is both just in His judgments against sin and merciful towards those who remain faithful to His covenant.