Download - Old Testament History
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORYPart 2: The Biblical Perspective
Saint Anne Adult Forum
OUTLINE Part 1: History of Israel
from archeology (last wk)
Part 2: History of Israel as described in the OT
Personal Statement: We do not worship the Bible, but rather God who is both subject and inspiration of the Bible
THEMES IN THE HEBREW BIBLEHistory of Israel can be understood in several
dimensions:
A “Call & Response” between YHWH and his people Conflict between itinerant tribes and agrarian areas A God-centered society and one based on human
institutions A small country located between two superpowers
All of these are themes that are present in the Bible and in the history of the Jewish people, and are
important to understanding this period
TIMELINE OF THE HEBREW BIBLE Abram departs for Canaan c. 1950 BC Movement from Oral Tradition to
written scriptures starts c. 700 BC Motivated by destruction of Israel?
Canon – Group of books that accurately reflect the understanding of the community about their relationship with God.
OT: Movement started 450 BCE, finished by 100 AD
Council of Jammia c. 90 AD Text edited/refined till 1000 AD;
“points” used to indicate agreed-upon vowels
Context is everything When written? Why written? Victors write the history
1200 Years Ago(700s & 800s AD)
• Gunpowder invented• Muslims conquer Spain• Charlemagne rules Germany• Battle of Tours - 732• Algebra invented• Vikings sack London - 851
THE PATRIARCHS – ABRAM/ABRAHAM Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
How people of God came to know God, and to define their identity in terms of their relationship to God
Genesis 12:1-4 Faithful Inclusive Old!
Genesis 12:10-20 Covenant with Abram is
based on demonstrated faith, not on his (limited) personal righteousness
The Sacrifice of Isaac by Caravaggio
THE PATRIARCHS - JACOB Abraham represents Israel
in her ideal form; the elect people of God who depend on faith for Salvation
Jacob is a symbol of the reality; constant doubt and dubious actions
Theme of Morality & Election Essau is more worthy, more
likeable, more deserving Jacob receives the birthright YHWH’s election is what
counts, not human understanding of justice
http://childrenschapel.org/biblestories/graphics/IsaBlesJacob.jpg
THE EXODUS - EGYPT TO SINAI Provided context for the Hebrews as
“the people of God” Contest between Moses & Pharaoh
Really between Yahweh & Egyptian Gods Miracles of the plagues: Mechanism
isn’t the priority; it’s the divine cause. Outcome is glory for YHWH
Goal of the Exodus: Remove the Hebrews to a location with the freedom to worship YHWH
Passover: Most important cultic rite in Israel’s history Centered in home, not the temple Permitted post-70 AD ritual Shared understanding of what it takes to
belonghttp://wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/
SyriacBibleParisFolio8rrMosesBeforePharaoh.jpg
Moses before the Pharaoh, a 6th-century miniature from the Syriac Bible of Paris
THE EXODUS - MOSES Early covenants were between
YHWH and individuals With Moses, God established
covenant with an entire people This can be interpreted as the true
beginning of the Jewish people Order of the stories is important
First, the people are delivered Then, the covenants & laws Grace is freely given, followed by
the structure Paul used this argument in the
early post-Easter church against those who argued that following Jewish law must precede salvation
wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Moses041.jpg
THE EXODUS – CONQUEST OF CANAAN
Two versions: Joshua: Rapid & Total; why?
National pride Deuteronomist Theology –
Avoid anything that involved blending worship of YHWH & the Canaanite Baals (Syncretism)
Hero – Show Joshua as worthy successor to Moses
Judges: Gradual & piecemeal over time Judges 1:1 – 2:5 Text
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prise_de_Jéricho.jpg
The Taking of Jericho
(Jean Fouquet, c.1452–1460)
DEUTERONOMIST HISTORY/THEOLOGY
Starts with Deuteronomy, includes Joshua, Judges, Samuel, & Kings,
Associated with Josiah’s reforms; written with a particular theological goal, late 600’s BC
Theology – Continuing cycle of Sin (esp. Apostasy, abandoning
YHWH) Punishment Repentance, and Deliverance
Recast relationship between Judah and YHWH; distinctly anti-monarchist slant Israel sinned in moving to Kings, and
defeat/exile were the punishment Centralization of worship in Jerusalem
Temple
“Newly discovered” Book of the Law is read to 26-year old Josiah
(II Chron 34)
EXILE & RETURN Israel destroyed c720 BC Judah exiled & Temple
destroyed c587 BC Isaiah & Cyrus (Ch’s 40-55)
Prophesy? Or retelling of History?
Either way, YHWH is the Lord of History
Maximum Extent of Persia under Cyrus the Great
Return to Judea and rebuilding of Temple 538-515 BC
Cyrus Cylinder – Although not mentioning them by name, permitted Jews to return from captivity
c. 530 BC; housed in British Museum
ADDITIONAL THEMES IN THE HEBREW BIBLE The Hebrews started as a nomadic people, but
their transition to “The People of God” was tied very tightly to a specific land and, later, the Temple in Jerusalem The Babylonian exile and associated theological reforms
eased this connection with the land, and prepared the Jews for survival in a post-temple world (post-70 AD).
The Hebrews showed, time and again, a lack of faithfulness to YHWH. (Even the patriarchs were lacking!) God’s grace, and our salvation, aren’t dependant on our
ability to live up to God’s standards.