Western Civilization.p

20 Chapter 1

Greeks would write it, it remains the first attempt to
provide a coherent account of past events.
The primary expression of Yahweh’s will is found,
however, in the Ten Commandments and in the subse-
quent elaboration of the Mosaic Law. The Ten Com-
mandments, brought down by Moses from Mt. Sinai
and delivered to the people of Israel before their entry
into Canaan, formed the basis of an elaborate legal and
moral code that governed virtually every aspect of life
and conduct. Like the concept of God, the law evolved
over time. Refined and amplified by generations of

priests, prophets, and teachers, it remains to this day

the foundation of Jewish life.

Certain features of Mosaic Law—such as the princi-

ple of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—recall

Babylonian precedents, but it went much further by

seeking to govern private as well as public behavior. Di-

etary regulations were set forth in great detail along

with rules for sexual conduct and the proper form of re-

ligious observances. Though legalistic in form, the Mo-

saic Law offered a comprehensive guide to ethical

behavior whose force transcended social or political

sanctions (see document 1.5). It was intended not only

as legislation but also as a prescription for the godly life.

God could mete out terrible punishment; but the com-

mandments were to be kept, not in brute fear or from

DOCUMENT 1.4

The Covenant

This passage (Exod. 19:1–9) describes the making of the

covenant between the Hebrews and their God that forms the

basis of the Jewish religion and the concept of the Jews as a

chosen people.

On the third new moon after the Israelites had

gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day,

they came into the wilderness of Sinai.... Israel

camped there in front of the mountain. Then

Moses went up to God, the LORD called to him

from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to

the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have

seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore

you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself.

Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my

covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out

of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,

but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a

holy nation. These are the words that you shall

speak to the Israelites.” So Moses came, summoned

the elders of the people, and set before them all

these words that the LORD had commanded

him. The people all answered as one: “Everything

that the LORD has spoken we will do.” Moses

reported the words of the people to the LORD.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to

come to you in a dense cloud, in order that the

people may hear when I speak to you and so trust

you ever after.

From the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible,copyright

1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National

Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permis-

sion. All rights reserved.

DOCUMENT 1.5

The Prophet Isaiah: Social Justice

This passage (Isa. 1:11–17), attributed to Isaiah of

Jerusalem in the mid-eighth century B.C., demonstrates the in-

creasing emphasis on social justice in Hebrew religious

thought.

What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the LORD. I have had enough of burnt offer-

ings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not de-

light in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of

he-goats. When you come to appear before me,

who requires of you this trampling of my courts?

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomi-

nation to me. New moon and sabbath and the call-

ing of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and

solemn assembly. Your new moons and your ap-

pointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a

burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When

you spread forth your hands I will hide my eyes

from you; even though you make many prayers, I

will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash

yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil

of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do

evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppres-

sion; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

From the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright

1989 by the Divsion of Christian Education of the National

Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permis-

sion. All rights reserved.