Kinderopvoeding in die boek Deuteronomium : 'n eksegetiese en openbaringshistoriese studie

Abstract

At the end of Israel’s forty year sojum in the wilderness they were at the point of taking possession of the promised land. In the book of Deuteronomy Moses addresses the people one last time, with the specific purpose to renew the covenant the Lord has made with them at Mount Horeb. The children are not overlooked in this speech. Parents are called to live in obedience to the demands of the covenant and to teach it to their children through repetition and inculcation. In this study, the research is focussing, through exegetical investigation, on the Old Testament Theological aspects and principles derived from Deuteronomy with regard to the upbringing and covenant-teaching of children. Chapter two examines the state of research on education and upbringing of children in Deuteronomy. However, the exegetical studies were done long ago and studies which include the upbringing of children in Deuteronomy in its entirety is lacking. The investigation also reflected on a possible interdependence between the vassal treaties of the Ancient Near East and Deuteronomy with regard to the upbringing and education of children. Although treaties mention the conveyance of covenant provisions to the next generation, there is no instruction to teach. Further research must determine whether a pedagogical element is present in the treaties, especially in the historical prologue. The historical background of Deuteronomy, the family and the upbringing and education of children are examined in chapter three. Moses as the implied author and Israel as the implied audience is the starting point of the exegesis. The purpose of Deuteronomy is related to the concept of תּוֹרָה and intend the renewal of the covenant. The covenant and its terms should be passed on to future generations within a patriarchal society. In this, with the support of the mother, the father plays a leading role. Since the command to teach their children, explicated in Deuteronomy 6:1-25, this passage in Scripture had been examined exegetically in chapter four. The exegesis confirms, as stated in Deuteronomy 6, the principle of covenant teaching that the Lord is an unique and only Lord (Deut.6:4). The Israelites have to internalise His commandments and decrees which results in obedience, love and reverence for Him and consequently externalise it in their daily conduct. It is the responsibility of the parents to impart this principle to the succeeding generations through communication, repetition and inculcation. Covenant teaching is thus teaching trough own conduct, which starts with the parents’ own obedience. The principles revealed in Deuteronomy 6 are supported by various passages in Deuteronomy (Deut. 4:9-10, 11:18-21, 31:9-13) and other passages in the Old Testament (Ps. 78:1-8, Ex. 12:26-28, 13:14-16, Josh. 4:21-24, Prov. 3:1-12). In chapter five the secondary passages in Deuteronomy, and in chapter six the other passages in the Old Testament are interpreted. The principles contained in Deuteronomy 6 are repeated in different contexts throughout the

book and highlights the importance of future observance of the covenant terms. The research found that the principles given in the primary section are repeated in new contexts, expanded and supplemented in other parts of Scripture. The theological nature and implications of covenant teaching in this research are formulated in chapter seven. * The unity and uniqueness of the Lord, as revealed to His people, is the basis for covenant upbringing and teaching. * The upbringing and teaching don’t only have an effect on the children of these parents but also on the future generations in the Promised Land. * Firstly the parent and child need to internalise the covenant (write it on their hearts) and subsequently externalise it through conversation and living in obedience, privately and in society. * There is a move from the concrete to the abstract in upbringing and teaching. One where children will ask about the meaning of concrete actions, ceremonies and memorials, and through historical events will be taught and lead by parents to the abstract such as faith, love and reverence for the Lord. * Although the upbringing and teaching of children are primarily the responsibility of parents, the covenant community is not excluded from this responsibility.