Monotheism Emerges
Unlike other groups around them, who were polytheists, the Israelites were monotheists. They prayed to only one God and openly proclaimed this to be true. In the eyes of the Israelites, God had power over all peoples, everywhere. To the Israelites, God was not a physical being, and no physical images were to be made of him. God looked after the Israelites because Abraham promised to obey him. In return, God promised to protect Abraham and his descendants. This mutual promise between God and Abraham was known as the covenant.
Unlike other groups around them, who were polytheists, the Israelites were monotheists. They prayed to only one God and openly proclaimed this to be true. In the eyes of the Israelites, God had power over all peoples, everywhere. To the Israelites, God was not a physical being, and no physical images were to be made of him. God looked after the Israelites because Abraham promised to obey him. In return, God promised to protect Abraham and his descendants. This mutual promise between God and Abraham was known as the covenant.