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.