It's a living
Feb. 4th, 2007 06:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I assume Yahweh is referred to as "the living god" to contrast Him with lifeless idols. Now, my understanding is that the Hebrews were henotheists: their neighbours' gods existed, but were not to be worshipped, and in any case were subordinate to Yahweh. However, quick search turns up the first use of "the living god" in Deuteronomy. So now I'm wondering - did "living god" have a different meaning, for example, a deity without idols or images?
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Date: 2007-02-05 04:08 pm (UTC)*sporfles*
The thing about reading the history of Israel, though (I'm on my latest re-read of Exodus right now) is that it is so very much the history of human nature in general and my own heart toward God in particular. Fearfulness, unbelief, complaining, idolatry... it all hits just a little too uncomfortably close to home. And then there's the incredible patience and mercy of God in the face of all this appalling misbehaviour ("All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people").
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Date: 2007-02-05 05:01 pm (UTC)