SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS (OT)
The term is a combination of "neck" (BDB 791, KB 887) and "stiff" or "hard" (BDB 904, KB 1151). Israel is often described by this unflattering combination because of their unwillingness to obey God's laws (cf. Exod. 32:8; 33:3,5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6,13; 31:27). The VERB is used in Deut. 10:16; 2 Kgs. 17:14; Neh. 9:16,17,29; Jer. 7:26; 17:23; 19:15. The same thought is expressed in Isa. 48:4 and Ezek. 2:4; 3:7.
In a sense Duet. 31:27-29 is a prophecy, based on the past actions of Israel. This same kind of prophecy is also found in Jos. 24:19-20. Israel's best efforts were not enough. The first covenant would fail to restore the intended intimacy between YHWH and His highest creation (i.e., mankind) in the Garden of Eden. It would take a New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) based on YHWH's actions. Mankind is incurably rebellious (cf. Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-18,23).
The fact that YHWH chose a "stubborn" people to be His covenant people was a theological way to highlight the character of YHWH.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND
SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
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