The Covenant at Sinai 2
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 5.2.5
The Biblical Story
In the Biblical story, the giving of the commandments was very dramatic and scary (Exodus 20:1-17).
Thunder and lightning
- According to the Bible, there was thunder and lightning, and smoke coming out of Mount Sinai.
The power of God
- The events at Mount Sinai were dramatic to impress upon the nation the power of God and the respect the people needed to have for Him.
- As each person heard God for themselves, they didn’t need to accept a story or a belief. The people knew what they heard and understood what they had to do.
The Covenant
At Mount Sinai, the Jews became God’s chosen people. By entering into a covenant with God, they were committing to taking on extra responsibilities in life.
Keeping the covenant
- If the Jews keep the laws, they will be blessed and if they do not, they are punished. There is no option of breaking the agreement.
Joining the covenant
- A child born to a Jewish mother is born Jewish (this is called matrilineality).
- Anyone can convert to Judaism and become part of the covenantal relationship with God.
Test yourself on The Covenant at Sinai 2
According to the Bible, which of the following did not happen when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments?
Why were the events at Mount Sinai so dramatic?
According to the Bible, what were the events at Mount Sinai like?
A child born to a Jewish mother is born Jewish. What is this called?