Deuteronomic Perspective on History - Essay Example

Deuteronomic Perspective on History Deuteronomic History stands for the work of certain authors whose work include what was seen as a coherent history from the book of Deuteronomy with exception of chapters 32-34 to 2nd Kings, Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel. The books that follow the Deuteronomy criteria are therefore most likely to originate from a common source. Saul, Solomon and David are introduced in the Deuteronomic history; the monarchy is shown to be blasphemous, corrupt and always casting misfortunes on the people. Most scholars agree that the main theme of these books is that the disobedience of the law will always attract punishment by God and more particular is the withdrawal of the gift of land. There is consistency in the purpose of the author as it is clear that the author condemns apostasy and gives stern warning about its serious consequences (Askwhy.co.uk, 1). Deuteronomic history contains stories about the emergence of Israel, its rise to success and finally its failure as a nation (political) in the land of Canaan. It’s of importance to note that Deuteronomic history is a theological history and not pure facts and history. It also accounts for the successes and failures of Israel due to obedience and disobedience of God. Majority of scholars do agree that the use of this history does explain why Israel did fail and the people exiled due to God’s covenantal promises (Catholica.com.au, 1). According to the history, the problem of Israelites is that the covenant addressed to the Davidic dynasty during the first millennium BC which included the promise that David’s house would forever last have never been fulfilled. Not only haven’t they been fulfilled but also been proven wrong; i.e. by the fall of David’s house, the exile and their loss of political independence. According to the Deuteronomic history what happened to the Israelites and house of David was nothing but God’s judgment due to their sinning. Though God did make promises to them, these promises were not unconditional but were depended on the faithfulness of the king and his people to God. This history emphasizes that the political destruction of the people of Israel was not as a result of the weakness of the nation or of God but it was due to the power of God. It is Bernhard Anderson’s view that the Deuteronomists ‘theology of history' is capsulated in the introduction to the period of the Judges. This actually is a recapitulation of the conclusion in the book of Joshua in which the situation that came up after Joshua’s death is narrated. When Joshua was still alive, the people were faithful to God and due to this “they lived under the creative power of 'the saving experience' of the Exodus and 'the commanding experience' of Mount Sinai.” Though this generation knew Yahweh, the following generation did not know Him or the work that He Has done for the people of Israel. This is evident as the concept of covenant renewal generation after generation is clearly evident. It’s also clear that the faith of elders or parents is not necessarily that of children i.e. someone must individually and personally know God for them to be in covenantal relationship with God. Therefore each individual has to renew the covenant in their own way (Catholica.com.au, 1). Because of the required accountability of the people of Israel by God, a lot of emphasis is put on the command to "love the Lord your God with your whole heart and soul and strength." God does not have a compromise position on this, this is what He demands of them and nothing less than this will do. Because of this, Israel’s obedience to God’s commandments results in peace and welfare in their society whereas disobedience results in hardships, defeat and exile. The prophets act as the voice of God and they give the Israelites two options; to either choose life and prosperity or death and evil. Through the deeds and words of the prophets, God Had severally warned the Israelites of their sins and disobedience of the Torah from time to time and asking them to repent. By not being loyal to the covenant and failing to heed the prophets, God brought upon them divine judgment hence fulfilling the promises and warnings that the prophets had made (Catholica.com.au, 1). Deuteronomic History clearly looks at the past but it’s not easy to tell how it deals with the future. The future seems open, may be there could be a change for a new start depending on whether their people living in exile do repent or not; in other words it’s up to Israelites to decide. Reasonability is required in covenant relationship with God and both the Israelites and God govern it therefore Israel will always rise and fall depending on if they keep the covenant. It’s only by repentance and obedience that the Israelites can be taken back to the land and the covenant restored, but scholars argue that it is such simplistic ideas that are the weakness of Deuteronomic History (Catholica.com.au, 1). Later generations are prone to change this, it emerges that faith and sometimes faithfulness does not all the time give or bring to one what they expect out of it. Actually, there were certain times of suffering and unexpected turbulence and so the question then is, why? Why do people still suffer and have pain even after adhering to the laws of God? This is a problem that is dealt with later in the book of Job. But the Israelites are still encouraged to repent and expect positive results. Analyzing God’s character and Israel’s past history, it’s realized that both provide enough motivation to make Israel go back to God’s ways. It’s also clear that God is a merciful God and He will not fail in His promises or destroy Israel and more importantly He never forgets. In 1 Kings 8:49 it indicates that if Israel repents, they can not only hope but also expect God to listen to and hear them and accord them justice. God will look to Israel, but only if Israel looks to God. During those days, Persian kings were not interested in the restoration of local kings but were interested in controlling the masses by the use or religious authority, they alleged that “the God of Heaven had his reign on earth in the person of the king of kings-the Persian king.” So chances are the Deuteronomic Historian could have a certain agenda. The historian presumes a “return”. The deportation, which was typical, was presented as a “return” otherwise his polemics and lessons were not directed at any one in particular. Besides the Jews, the Persians as well did use similar methods of persuasion on other subjects. (Askwhy.co.uk, 1) In conclusion, the logic behind Deuteronomic History is some kind of 'success philosophy' and one must understand that since the very beginning of Israel the concept of judgment and blessing has been fundamental to them. The Deuteronomic History clearly tries to explain that the defeat and exile of Israelites was as a result of their infidelity to the covenant with God. The covenant with God still leaves on and it’s upon the exiled Israelites to seek repentance, God will always be Israel’s savior. Works Cited Askwhy.co.uk. “Deuteronomic History and the Prophets.” 20 Dec. 2010. Web. 16 Nov, 2011 . Catholica.com.au. “Theological History.” 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2011 . Read More