{Deuteronomic Circles and Fertility Rites}[18th July 1989]

[Redbook6:159-160][19890718:1601]{Deuteronomic Circles and Fertility Rites}[18th July 1989]

19890718.1601

‘The Deuteronomic “theology of history”. The Deuteronomic “theology of history” shows through very clearly in Judges:* unless the people of the Covenant remain faithful and obedient to Yahweh, they will suffer the due consequences of disobedience, whether it be an overtly willful act or an unthinking negligence in keeping the Covenant promise. The Deuteronomist worked out a formula for his theology of history that was based in a very dramatic way on the historical events of the period:

(1) Obedience to Yahweh brings peace and well-being;

(2) A period of well-being often involves a slackening of resolve to keep the commands of Yahweh or outright disobedience;

(3) Disobedience leads to a weakness of the faith that has bound the community together and thus leaves the community open to repression and attacks from external enemies; and

(4) external repression forces the community to reassess its position and ask the cause of the calamities, thus leading to repentance and eventual strength to resist all enemies.’**

***

[Red arrows added later;

colour simply to indicate that fact.]

[Text extracted from ms diagram reproduced above (& an additional m~ from the ms diagram:]

		C
		→
		|
	(4)		(1)
	–	+	–	m~
	(3)		(2)
		|
		←

The article** goes on to point out that the Israelites, after settling in Canaan, became attracted to the Canaanite fertility religion of El, the Baals, and the Ashtorets**** [sic] – whose rituals of sexual intercourse between farmers and sacred prostitutes were designed to bring about fertility. This attraction was a part of the Deuteronomic historical cycle; it is ironic to note that how much the cycle itself as a concept owes to fertility cults all over the World.

*[The Book of Judges in the Bible (Christian Old Testament)]

**E[ncyclopaedia] B[ritannica]14.782-3.

***

{[[Redbook6:115)][19890315:2020]{Biblical Circles (1)}[15th March 1989],] 115

[[Redbook6:150][19890713:1847e]{Loaves and Fishes Decoded [continued (5)]}[13th July 1989],] 150}

{See [[Redbook6:206-207][19890814:(c1600)]{Deuteronomic Circles and the voice of Conscience}[14th August 1989],] 206,}

{[[Redbook6:195-199][19890804:0000#]{Trinitarian Man[:] [The Father]}[4th August 1989],] 198-9,

[[Redbook6:255-257][19890013:0927#]{Biblical Circles (3)}[18th July 1989],] 255.}

[& [Redbook6:165-167][19890726:0019]{Historical Circles (1)}[26th July 1989]]

****(after Ishtar, or Astarte,# she who descended by a slow strip{(}tease{)} through the 7 gates to the Underworld, to rescue Tammuz;#* and after being sprinkled with the water of life, reascended by the same 7 gates.

#{(cf [[Redbook6:211-212][19890818:1554b]{The Winged Serpent}[18th August 1989],] 211)}

#*cf Ezekiel 8:14-15

[Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. (KJV)]

[continues]

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