Rola kultu w formowaniu się tradycji religijnych Izraela

Abstract

Contemporary biblical theology indicates the role and the influence of religious cult in the formation of lsraelite religiosity during the period of transition to sedentary life, as it is described in the Book of Joshuah. Joshuah, who continued the work of Moses and was his successor, played a large part in this process. The special expression of his religious activity was the making of the covenant at Shechem, as described in Josh 24, called the Testament of Joshuah. A large part in the religious life of lsrael was played by the sanctuary of Shechem. Already in the times of the patriarchs Shechem was important as a sanctuary. Here Abraham and Jacob worshipped God. While making the covenant at Shechem, Joshuah called upon the nation to reject foreign gods. The author of Josh 24, while writing this chapter in the spirit of the Deuteronomistic theology, warned the lsraealites against succombing to the influence of pagan religion and encouraged them to be faithful to Yahweh. The return to pure faith was the rejection of foreign gods, as the author zealously recommended by the words of Joshuah. It is possible that the author has presented in Josh 24, 14-23 the tradition contained in Gen 35, where Jacob rejects foreign gods. During the ceremony of making the coventant by Joshuah the laws and prescriptions were announced to the people. The lsraelites understood Law as the will of Yahweh for the people. The narration contained in Josh 24 is connected with the cult and contains the legislative tradition. The lsraelite nation, after having entered Canaan, found new conditions of sedentary life. This implied the need of creating new regulations and adapting them to new conditions. Josh 24 may be called a short on Joshuah's law-giving to the lsraelite nation, while worshipping Yahweh. This legislation was connected with the sanctuary as, the place inhabited by Yahweh. Joshuah gave the law to the people by His authority and as an expression of the will of Yahweh for His people. The people convoked promised to keep all the regulations of this law to show their faithfullness to their God.