Ancient Hebrew’s view on God

------Self-definition of a Jew

The ancient Hebrew religion was derived from the Middle East’s western Semitic family of religions. Most of these religions focused on the divine presence in nature and the cycle of birth and rebirth. For these religions, the various fertility deities they worshiped were mythical, natural and had to be regenerated from time to time. While for Hebrew religion, the God was identified as the one supreme deity and the source of righteous living. As a result, it condemned the worship of all other gods as idolatry. On the basis of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), we know

“We must live as God’s people” This means two things. First, the world was created by God, and is under his influence. Secondly, the Hebrew must live as “God’s People” and help the whole world to live as his people. In the “Genesis”, God created the world, including all species and could destroy them anytime at his will. The Great Flood is the best example to verify God’s authority over his people. For ancient Hebrews, they held two central convictions: that they owed everything to God and what he had done for them; and that they were to be his “people” and live in his way. Their God is one who comes into personal relationship with those who worship him, offering them his friendship and asking for their trust, which must be expressed as living in his way. Such relationship was made clear in the “Covenant” established at “God’s Mountain” between God and Moses on behalf of the Hebrews. In the “Ten Commandments”, God’s requirements were clearly stated, which not only regulated his worshipers’ moral standards, but also forbade them from worshipping other gods, as God said himself, “I am an envious god,” “Thou shalt have none other gods before me.”

The whole procedure of the establishment of the Covenant seems to people of nowadays like a standard business practice. The Covenant was on God’s part, the offer of his love and care – “I am your God; I rescued you from Egypt.” On man’s part, it meant trusting him and living in his way. “Living in God’s way” was embodied in the “Ten Commandments”. In today’s terms, it is a win-win contract between God and man. Ancient Hebrew’s conviction to the Covenant with God gave them strong confidence in breaking through various obstacles in their history.

Such contractual relationship between God and his people can be well illustrated by the convictions they hold about God and man and the world. We can summarize t

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