JudaismJudaism

Pt. 1Pt. 1

Location of Israel in relation to Location of Israel in relation to the world powers of the day.the world powers of the day.

Three major political regions that Three major political regions that shaped the ancient Near Eastshaped the ancient Near East

Mesopotamia:Mesopotamia: Land between two Land between two

rivers: Tigris, rivers: Tigris, EuphratesEuphrates

civilization developed civilization developed around 7000 B.C. around 7000 B.C.

writing took place writing took place much later 3100 B.C. much later 3100 B.C. by the Sumerians. by the Sumerians.

Sumerians, Akkadians, Sumerians, Akkadians, Amorites, Baylonians, Amorites, Baylonians, and Assyriansand Assyrians

EgyptEgypt: :

Nile river:Nile river: Dynasties: Old Dynasties: Old

Kingdom: 2700-Kingdom: 2700-2200 B.C.; Middle 2200 B.C.; Middle Kingdom: 2000-Kingdom: 2000-1700 B.C. (the time 1700 B.C. (the time of the Patriarchs); of the Patriarchs); New Kingdom: New Kingdom: 1550-1100 B.C.1550-1100 B.C.

Syria-PalestineSyria-Palestine: :

No early advanced No early advanced civilizationscivilizations

Taking a closer look at Israel:Taking a closer look at Israel: Four Sub-regions of Four Sub-regions of

Israel:Israel: Coastal plains: Coastal plains:

Southern area was Southern area was home to the Philistines home to the Philistines (sea peoples). (sea peoples).

Central mountain Central mountain range: divided into range: divided into four regions, Galilee, four regions, Galilee, Ephraim, and the Ephraim, and the Judean Hill country. Judean Hill country.

The Jordan Rift: at the The Jordan Rift: at the Dead Sea it is 1,275 Dead Sea it is 1,275 feet below sea level. feet below sea level.

Transjordanian Transjordanian Highlands: 4 rivers cut Highlands: 4 rivers cut through it; Yarmuk, through it; Yarmuk, Jabbok, Arnon, and the Jabbok, Arnon, and the Zered.Zered.

Two major highways: Two major highways: “Via Maris” way of the “Via Maris” way of the sea (Isa 9:1), and the sea (Isa 9:1), and the “Kings highway” (Num “Kings highway” (Num 20:17; 21:22)20:17; 21:22)

The Jewish BibleThe Jewish Bible

Considered as a whole, this body of Considered as a whole, this body of Scripture is sometimes called Scripture is sometimes called TanakTanak(h)(h), ,

The Teaching, Guidance (Torah)The Teaching, Guidance (Torah) The Prophets (Nevi’im)The Prophets (Nevi’im) The Writings (Ketuvim)The Writings (Ketuvim)

Four Moments of time in the Four Moments of time in the history of Israel.history of Israel.

Israel’s Ancestry: The PatriarchsIsrael’s Ancestry: The Patriarchs Bronze and Iron ages: 3300 B.C. Bronze was the Bronze and Iron ages: 3300 B.C. Bronze was the metal that governed technology. Around 1200 metal that governed technology. Around 1200 B.C. iron was discovered to be stronger and B.C. iron was discovered to be stronger and lighter than bronze.lighter than bronze.

Early Bronze Age: 3300-2000 B.C.: Writing came Early Bronze Age: 3300-2000 B.C.: Writing came about in this time; furthermore, city-states were about in this time; furthermore, city-states were developing in the ancient Near East. In Egypt this developing in the ancient Near East. In Egypt this is the period of the Old Kingdom, and it is is the period of the Old Kingdom, and it is characterized by the building of the great characterized by the building of the great pyramids. pyramids.

(1) Israel’s Ancestry: The (1) Israel’s Ancestry: The PatriarchsPatriarchs

Middle Bronze age: 2000-1550 B.C.: This is Middle Bronze age: 2000-1550 B.C.: This is generally the time ascribed to the generally the time ascribed to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). In patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). In Babylon Hammurapi rose to power in 1792 Babylon Hammurapi rose to power in 1792 B.C., and he is most famous for his code of B.C., and he is most famous for his code of laws. Egypt was taken over by the Hyksos, laws. Egypt was taken over by the Hyksos, and in Palestine the Canaanites were and in Palestine the Canaanites were establishing city-states. establishing city-states.

Late Bronze Age: 1550-1200 B.C.: Late Bronze Age: 1550-1200 B.C.: Characterized by international trade with Characterized by international trade with Israel caught right in the middle. (Moses Israel caught right in the middle. (Moses and Joshua)and Joshua)

(2) Israel’s beginnings: Moses (2) Israel’s beginnings: Moses and Joshuaand Joshua

Egypt moved into the New Kingdom period Egypt moved into the New Kingdom period and dominated the world of the ANE at and dominated the world of the ANE at that time. that time.

Akkadian became the Akkadian became the lingua francalingua franca, , “international language of the day.” “international language of the day.”

In Egypt Akhenaten tried to make Aten the In Egypt Akhenaten tried to make Aten the official religion official religion

Battle of Kadesh: Hittite king Hattushili III Battle of Kadesh: Hittite king Hattushili III and Egyptian king Ramesses II fought and and Egyptian king Ramesses II fought and both claimed the victory yet backed down. both claimed the victory yet backed down.

Israel in EgyptIsrael in Egypt After several centuries, the population of After several centuries, the population of

Hebrews in Egypt had grown so large that Hebrews in Egypt had grown so large that the Egyptians saw them as a threat.the Egyptians saw them as a threat.

The book of Exodus tells about the The book of Exodus tells about the proposed solution, in which Hebrew proposed solution, in which Hebrew midwives are commanded to kill all baby midwives are commanded to kill all baby boys right after birth.boys right after birth.

The baby Moses is spared by keeping him hidden.The baby Moses is spared by keeping him hidden. He is discovered by an Egyptian princess who raises He is discovered by an Egyptian princess who raises

him as her own.him as her own. As a young adult, Moses sees an Egyptian foreman As a young adult, Moses sees an Egyptian foreman

badly mistreating an Israelite slave.badly mistreating an Israelite slave. In trying to put an end to the cruelty, Moses kills the In trying to put an end to the cruelty, Moses kills the

foreman and then flees from Egypt.foreman and then flees from Egypt.

MosesMoses Our next glimpse of Moses comes when he has Our next glimpse of Moses comes when he has

found a new life beyond the borders of Egypt.found a new life beyond the borders of Egypt. He is now a herdsman for a Midianite priest named Jethro.He is now a herdsman for a Midianite priest named Jethro. One day, when Moses is out with his father-in-law’s herds, One day, when Moses is out with his father-in-law’s herds,

he sees a strange sight: a large bush appears to be he sees a strange sight: a large bush appears to be burning, but it is not consumed.burning, but it is not consumed.

As Moses approaches the bush, he hears the voice of God, As Moses approaches the bush, he hears the voice of God, who commands Moses to return to Egypt to help free the who commands Moses to return to Egypt to help free the Hebrews.Hebrews.

Living in a world that believes in many gods, Moses is Living in a world that believes in many gods, Moses is curious to know the name of the divine spirit speaking to curious to know the name of the divine spirit speaking to him. The deity, however, refuses to give a clear name and him. The deity, however, refuses to give a clear name and says mysteriously, “I Am.”says mysteriously, “I Am.”

In the Book of In the Book of ExodusExodus, Yahweh, the God of the , Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, simply needs to show himself to be Hebrews, simply needs to show himself to be more powerful than any of the gods of the more powerful than any of the gods of the Egyptians (Exod. 12:12).Egyptians (Exod. 12:12).

The Books of The Books of Exodus and NumbersExodus and Numbers describe in describe in detail the migration back to Israel—a migration detail the migration back to Israel—a migration that lasted a full generation, about forty years.that lasted a full generation, about forty years.

Leviticus and DeuteronomyLeviticus and Deuteronomy The Book of The Book of LeviticusLeviticus (named after the (named after the

priesthood) begins with detailed laws priesthood) begins with detailed laws about animal sacrifice and then takes up about animal sacrifice and then takes up the complexities of ritual purity.the complexities of ritual purity.

Leviticus outlines many special laws that Leviticus outlines many special laws that would be important to the later would be important to the later development of Judaism.development of Judaism.

The Torah ends with the Book of The Torah ends with the Book of DeuteronomyDeuteronomy, which repeats the Ten , which repeats the Ten Commandments and describes the death Commandments and describes the death of Moses, an event that occurs just before of Moses, an event that occurs just before the Hebrews enter the Promised Land of the Hebrews enter the Promised Land of Canaan.Canaan.

(3) Israel’s Statehood: David and (3) Israel’s Statehood: David and his Dynasty.his Dynasty.

The fall of Troy brought about great The fall of Troy brought about great political changes in the known world. political changes in the known world. Hittites and Egyptians declined in power, Hittites and Egyptians declined in power, thus creating a vacuum. thus creating a vacuum.

Sea Peoples: “Philistines” brought trading Sea Peoples: “Philistines” brought trading and new metal working technology. and new metal working technology.

Iron technology replaced bonze during this Iron technology replaced bonze during this time (1200 B.C.).time (1200 B.C.).

In Biblical times this covers the period of In Biblical times this covers the period of the “Judges” all the way to the Davidic the “Judges” all the way to the Davidic Dynasty. Dynasty.

Israel’s Statehood: David and his Israel’s Statehood: David and his Dynasty.Dynasty.

Israel wanted a king like all of the Israel wanted a king like all of the other nations (1 Samuel 8:19-20). other nations (1 Samuel 8:19-20).

David ruled Israel in its golden years. David ruled Israel in its golden years. Under Solomon the kingdom grew to Under Solomon the kingdom grew to

the largest, and Israel could be called the largest, and Israel could be called an empire. an empire.

Solomon lost sight of God and after Solomon lost sight of God and after his reign the kingdom split into two his reign the kingdom split into two geo-political bodies. geo-political bodies.

Divided KingdomDivided Kingdom

1.1. Judah was in Judah was in the South.the South. It continued to It continued to

have a royal family have a royal family that governed.that governed.

2.2. Israel in the Israel in the North.North. It was plagued by It was plagued by

political instability: political instability: 19 kings in 9 19 kings in 9 separate dynasties.separate dynasties.

Assyrian Empire: 8th and 7th Assyrian Empire: 8th and 7th centuries B.C.centuries B.C.

In Judah, moral decline In Judah, moral decline took place as Judah took place as Judah coexisted in much coexisted in much prosperity with the prosperity with the Assyrians. As a result Assyrians. As a result the classical prophets the classical prophets began to preach: Amos, began to preach: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah.Micah.

Shalmaneser V Shalmaneser V governed Assyria when governed Assyria when the northern nation fell the northern nation fell in 722 B.C.in 722 B.C.

Babylonia Babylonia

Defeated Assyria:Defeated Assyria: 597 B.C. 597 B.C.

Nebuchadnezzer (king Nebuchadnezzer (king of Babylon) attacked of Babylon) attacked Jerusalem and deported Jerusalem and deported a vast number of Jews a vast number of Jews to Babylon. In 587 B.C. to Babylon. In 587 B.C. he completely he completely destroyed Jerusalem. destroyed Jerusalem.

Prophetic figures in this Prophetic figures in this time were: Jeremiah, time were: Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Ezekiel.Habakkuk, and Ezekiel.

Religious life for the Jews in Religious life for the Jews in ExileExile

The period of exile in Babylonia (586-539 B.C.E.) The period of exile in Babylonia (586-539 B.C.E.) was a monumental turning point and one of the was a monumental turning point and one of the most emotional chapters in the history of Judaism.most emotional chapters in the history of Judaism.

Without a temple, public ritual had come to an Without a temple, public ritual had come to an end, but in its place the written word took on new end, but in its place the written word took on new importance.importance.

During their exile in Babylonia, the Jews began to During their exile in Babylonia, the Jews began to meet weekly to discuss the scriptures and to pray.meet weekly to discuss the scriptures and to pray.

What developed was the What developed was the SabbathSabbath service of service of worship, study, sermon, and psalms, performed in worship, study, sermon, and psalms, performed in a meetinghouse or a meetinghouse or synagoguesynagogue (Greek: “lead (Greek: “lead together”).together”).

(4) Israel’s Exile and Restoration: (4) Israel’s Exile and Restoration: Ezra and Nehemiah.Ezra and Nehemiah.

Persian age (539-332 B.C.) Persian age (539-332 B.C.) King Cyrus marks the King Cyrus marks the

beginning of the Persian beginning of the Persian empire empire

Cyrus enacted a policy of Cyrus enacted a policy of tolerance to religious tolerance to religious beliefs, and he allowed the beliefs, and he allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. temple.

The second Temple was The second Temple was finished in 515 B.C. during finished in 515 B.C. during the prophetic careers of the prophetic careers of Haggai and Zechariah. Haggai and Zechariah.

Cyrus the Great

22ndnd Temple Judaism Temple Judaism

Jeremiah 31:31-34Jeremiah 31:31-34 Messianic Messianic

ExpectationExpectation Coming of ElijahComing of Elijah