Introduction to the bible and the Old Testament
The Bible
The Bible came from the word "biblos", meaning "book". However, it is more of a library, because It is a collection of books with texts that are sacred to Judaism and Christianity. It consists of the Old Testament, which is the text the Jews only use, and the New Testament.
The Bible is mainly about series of specific events and people at specific times. Most biblical events took place in the Middle East, in particular Israel.
The Bible came from the word "biblos", meaning "book". However, it is more of a library, because It is a collection of books with texts that are sacred to Judaism and Christianity. It consists of the Old Testament, which is the text the Jews only use, and the New Testament.
The Bible is mainly about series of specific events and people at specific times. Most biblical events took place in the Middle East, in particular Israel.
The Old Testament
The Old Testament can be divided into four wide sections: the Pentateuch, the books telling the history of the Israelites, the poems dealing with the questions of good and evil in the world, and the books of the prophets who warn the people of the consequences of turning away from God.
The Old Testament can be divided into four wide sections: the Pentateuch, the books telling the history of the Israelites, the poems dealing with the questions of good and evil in the world, and the books of the prophets who warn the people of the consequences of turning away from God.
Genesis (Pre-History)
Genesis, meaning "origin", was an account of the mechanics of creation, and about God's relationship with humans. There was a single God who existed before creation of the universe. Although God is separate from the world, the physical world is real. Before the creation of the universe, the world was an abyss - primal chaos that is formless and void.
.Creation
- God created the universe in seven days. On Day 1, God created light. On Day 2, God separated the waters and the sky. On Day 3, God created dry land and plants. On Day 4, God created the sun, moon, and the stars. On Day 5, God created water creatures and birds of the air. On Day 6, God created animals and human beings.
- God found his work "very good"; the sum of creation together surpasses the goodness of each of its parts.
- God rested on the seventh day. This was the foundation of Sabbath, a day of rest and prayer for Jews and Christians.
- God created the universe in seven days. On Day 1, God created light. On Day 2, God separated the waters and the sky. On Day 3, God created dry land and plants. On Day 4, God created the sun, moon, and the stars. On Day 5, God created water creatures and birds of the air. On Day 6, God created animals and human beings.
- God found his work "very good"; the sum of creation together surpasses the goodness of each of its parts.
- God rested on the seventh day. This was the foundation of Sabbath, a day of rest and prayer for Jews and Christians.
Adam and Eve - The Forbidden Fruit
- God planted a garden named Eden.
- Adam was the first man, he named all the animals and birds.
- God put Adam into deep sleep, took a rib from him and fashioned it into a woman.
- An evil serpent persuaded Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, even when God forbade them to do so.
- The consequences of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit included pain, aging, conflict, corruption, loss, difficulty in childbirth, and death.
- God planted a garden named Eden.
- Adam was the first man, he named all the animals and birds.
- God put Adam into deep sleep, took a rib from him and fashioned it into a woman.
- An evil serpent persuaded Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, even when God forbade them to do so.
- The consequences of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit included pain, aging, conflict, corruption, loss, difficulty in childbirth, and death.
Cain and Abel - The First Murder
- Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. God favored Abel more, because Abel had passion in everything he did. As a result, Cain slayed his innocent brother out of jealousy. This was the first account of murder.
- God gave Cain the "Mark of Cain". It is a sign of God's protection, so Cain will not suffer the fate of his own brother. Cain was judged by God and his parents, and was granted mercy, but was still punished.
- Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. God favored Abel more, because Abel had passion in everything he did. As a result, Cain slayed his innocent brother out of jealousy. This was the first account of murder.
- God gave Cain the "Mark of Cain". It is a sign of God's protection, so Cain will not suffer the fate of his own brother. Cain was judged by God and his parents, and was granted mercy, but was still punished.
Noah's Ark
- Cain's descendants deemed vengeance. God found one righteous family to preserve, so their descendants can repopulate the world in goodness. This was Noah's family.
- Noah received a call from God to build an ark to shelter from the flood. He took a pair of each animal with him, and surrendered his family and the animals' lives while they floated without control for 40 days. Every other living thing that was on land died.
- After Noah thought the flood had subsided, he sent out a dove to check for him. The first time, the dove returned. The second time, the dove returned with an olive branch, which means that the land is dry. The third time, the dove did not return, meaning that the Earth could shelter living things. From this event onwards, the dove and olive branch symbolized peace.
- Cain's descendants deemed vengeance. God found one righteous family to preserve, so their descendants can repopulate the world in goodness. This was Noah's family.
- Noah received a call from God to build an ark to shelter from the flood. He took a pair of each animal with him, and surrendered his family and the animals' lives while they floated without control for 40 days. Every other living thing that was on land died.
- After Noah thought the flood had subsided, he sent out a dove to check for him. The first time, the dove returned. The second time, the dove returned with an olive branch, which means that the land is dry. The third time, the dove did not return, meaning that the Earth could shelter living things. From this event onwards, the dove and olive branch symbolized peace.
Tower of Babel
- The people wanted to build the Tower of Babel to reach the heavens. As a result, God punished the people's pride by confusing them with different languages. All of a sudden, the people were unable to communicate with each other, so they gave up on the project.
- People scattered and divided after this.
- God brought chaos out of order; this inverted symmetry is known as chiasm.
- This story is generally thought of as a creation story from the authors of the Genesis, as they want to answer the question regarding the different ethnicities and the different languages that people spoke.
- The people wanted to build the Tower of Babel to reach the heavens. As a result, God punished the people's pride by confusing them with different languages. All of a sudden, the people were unable to communicate with each other, so they gave up on the project.
- People scattered and divided after this.
- God brought chaos out of order; this inverted symmetry is known as chiasm.
- This story is generally thought of as a creation story from the authors of the Genesis, as they want to answer the question regarding the different ethnicities and the different languages that people spoke.
Ancestors
Abraham (c. 2200 BCE)
- God calls Abram, later renamed Abraham, and teaches him and his descendants how to get along and live together.
- Abram and his wife Sarai were driven to Egypt from Ur. Abram was afraid that Sarai's beauty would endanger his life, so they passed as siblings.
- Later, Sarai wanted a child, so she told Abram to take a concubine, Hagar. Sarai was very jealous and didn't treat Hagar well; this caused Hagar to run away until an angel persuaded her to return. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. Sarai and Abram had a child called Isaac.
- God changed Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "ancestor of multitude", and gave him a new covenant.
- A covenant is a formal agreement. The account of Abram and Sarai was the first example of God making a covenant with one particular family.
-Muslims are the descendants of Ishmael. They honor Abraham as the first monotheist.
- Sodom and Gomorrah: Abraham's nephew, Lot, chose the fertile southern plain including the cities Sodom and Gomorrah. However, God was frustrated with the wicked people of these cities and wanted to wipe out the good with the wicked. After bargaining with Abraham, God sent messengers to tell the righteous people of these cities, including Lot's family, to run away, and not to look back. Lot's wife took one last glance when running away and was turned to salt.
- God calls Abram, later renamed Abraham, and teaches him and his descendants how to get along and live together.
- Abram and his wife Sarai were driven to Egypt from Ur. Abram was afraid that Sarai's beauty would endanger his life, so they passed as siblings.
- Later, Sarai wanted a child, so she told Abram to take a concubine, Hagar. Sarai was very jealous and didn't treat Hagar well; this caused Hagar to run away until an angel persuaded her to return. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. Sarai and Abram had a child called Isaac.
- God changed Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "ancestor of multitude", and gave him a new covenant.
- A covenant is a formal agreement. The account of Abram and Sarai was the first example of God making a covenant with one particular family.
-Muslims are the descendants of Ishmael. They honor Abraham as the first monotheist.
- Sodom and Gomorrah: Abraham's nephew, Lot, chose the fertile southern plain including the cities Sodom and Gomorrah. However, God was frustrated with the wicked people of these cities and wanted to wipe out the good with the wicked. After bargaining with Abraham, God sent messengers to tell the righteous people of these cities, including Lot's family, to run away, and not to look back. Lot's wife took one last glance when running away and was turned to salt.
Isaac (c. 2100 BCE)
- God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac, but a messenger told Abraham to stop. This is seen as God not wanting any human sacrifices.
- Isaac and his wife Rebekah had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The sibling rivalry began even before they were born, as Rebekah was told: "Two nations are in your womb, two separate peoples shall issue from your body, one people shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."
- God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac, but a messenger told Abraham to stop. This is seen as God not wanting any human sacrifices.
- Isaac and his wife Rebekah had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The sibling rivalry began even before they were born, as Rebekah was told: "Two nations are in your womb, two separate peoples shall issue from your body, one people shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."
.Jacob (c. 2050 BCE)
- Esau traded his birthright with Jacob for a bowl of soup because he was hungry when he got back from hunting.
- Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau.
- Jacob deceived Isaac to gain permission to marry, but was tricked into marrying the sister of his object.
- Jacob got into a fight with a stranger, who gave Jacob his blessing and changed his name to Israel. This was a sign of renewal of God's covenant with descendants of Abraham.
- Esau traded his birthright with Jacob for a bowl of soup because he was hungry when he got back from hunting.
- Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau.
- Jacob deceived Isaac to gain permission to marry, but was tricked into marrying the sister of his object.
- Jacob got into a fight with a stranger, who gave Jacob his blessing and changed his name to Israel. This was a sign of renewal of God's covenant with descendants of Abraham.
Joseph (c. 1960 BCE)
- Joseph was the 11th of Jacob's 12 sons. He started off as an immature child, but then grew to become a fully rounded, sympathetic young man.
- Jacob blessed Joseph's children - he put his grandchildren before his own children.
- Joseph was sold as a slave by his jealous brothers and sent to Egypt.
- Abraham's descendants will come down to a conflict between tribes and kingdoms that begins at Jacob's deathbed.
- Joseph was the 11th of Jacob's 12 sons. He started off as an immature child, but then grew to become a fully rounded, sympathetic young man.
- Jacob blessed Joseph's children - he put his grandchildren before his own children.
- Joseph was sold as a slave by his jealous brothers and sent to Egypt.
- Abraham's descendants will come down to a conflict between tribes and kingdoms that begins at Jacob's deathbed.
Exodus
Moses (c. 1570 BCE)
- Jacob's descendants in Egypt are now called Israelites.
- Moses was born at a time when the Pharaoh commanded that all Hebrew sons must be drowned. Moses' mother placed him in a basket on a river. He was adopted by the Pharaoh's wife, who found him in the river, and was brought up as a prince in the palace. One day, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Out of anger, he killed the Egyptian and ran away, because the Pharaoh would order him to be executed for murder.
- Moses went from being a prince of Egypt to a sheep herder in Midian.
- Moses saw a burning bush. God called on Moses and told him to free the Israelites and bring them to the Land of Milk and Honey.
- God reveals his name to Moses: "I am what I am."
- Jacob's descendants in Egypt are now called Israelites.
- Moses was born at a time when the Pharaoh commanded that all Hebrew sons must be drowned. Moses' mother placed him in a basket on a river. He was adopted by the Pharaoh's wife, who found him in the river, and was brought up as a prince in the palace. One day, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Out of anger, he killed the Egyptian and ran away, because the Pharaoh would order him to be executed for murder.
- Moses went from being a prince of Egypt to a sheep herder in Midian.
- Moses saw a burning bush. God called on Moses and told him to free the Israelites and bring them to the Land of Milk and Honey.
- God reveals his name to Moses: "I am what I am."
Ten Plagues of Egypt (c. 1500 BCE)
- Moses returned to Egypt to persuade the Pharaoh to free the slaves.
- God hardened Pharaoh's heart so it would be very difficult for him to allow the slaves to be freed. With God's help, Moses caused the Ten Plagues of Egypt. After the tenth plague, the Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go.
- After the Israelites left, the Pharaoh changed his mind again and sent troops to go after the Israelites, and Moses parted the Red Sea. After they got to the other side, the sea devoured the Pharaoh's troops.
- Moses returned to Egypt to persuade the Pharaoh to free the slaves.
- God hardened Pharaoh's heart so it would be very difficult for him to allow the slaves to be freed. With God's help, Moses caused the Ten Plagues of Egypt. After the tenth plague, the Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go.
- After the Israelites left, the Pharaoh changed his mind again and sent troops to go after the Israelites, and Moses parted the Red Sea. After they got to the other side, the sea devoured the Pharaoh's troops.
Ten Commandments and the Tabernacle
- On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. They are the oldest codes established to regulate ethical behavior. They are basic moral truths that people of good will recognize through reason and conscience.
- Manna was the bread from heaven that will sustain the Israelites for 40 years.
- The Ark of the Covenant was the chest that contained stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. The Ark of the Covenant was placed in a sacred tent called the Tabernacle.
- On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. They are the oldest codes established to regulate ethical behavior. They are basic moral truths that people of good will recognize through reason and conscience.
- Manna was the bread from heaven that will sustain the Israelites for 40 years.
- The Ark of the Covenant was the chest that contained stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. The Ark of the Covenant was placed in a sacred tent called the Tabernacle.
The Promised Land
Joshua (c. 1450 BCE)
- After Moses' death, Joshua was chosen to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.
- When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, the river parted just like it did when Moses parted the Red Sea.
- The first battle after the Jordan River was the Battle of Jericho. Every time they turned their backs on God, they were "punished" by defeat. They had to have faith in God in order to siege the rest of the Promised Land.
- After Moses' death, Joshua was chosen to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.
- When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, the river parted just like it did when Moses parted the Red Sea.
- The first battle after the Jordan River was the Battle of Jericho. Every time they turned their backs on God, they were "punished" by defeat. They had to have faith in God in order to siege the rest of the Promised Land.
Judges
Biblical judges were people who earned God's favor and the people's support by having great personal character and exhibiting great virtues. They were able to provide times of peace in Israel.
Deborah (c. 1260 BCE)
- Deborah was a judge and prophet who was wise and courageous.
- Deborah was the only biblical judge who served as a mediator of legal disputes.
- There was a woman called Jael helped Barak and Deborah in their battle by killing an enemy general. She violated the commandments on murder and hospitality. However, this was an extreme case and she is described as a hero in Deborah's hymn.
- Deborah was a judge and prophet who was wise and courageous.
- Deborah was the only biblical judge who served as a mediator of legal disputes.
- There was a woman called Jael helped Barak and Deborah in their battle by killing an enemy general. She violated the commandments on murder and hospitality. However, this was an extreme case and she is described as a hero in Deborah's hymn.
Gideon (c. 1200 BCE)
- Gideon won a fight against Midianites using trickery. They surrounded the Midianites' camp and blew on trumpets, which scared the army, causing them to flee in panic.
- Gideon won a fight against Midianites using trickery. They surrounded the Midianites' camp and blew on trumpets, which scared the army, causing them to flee in panic.
Samuel (c. 1130 BCE)
- A woman called Hannah was infertile. She spoke to God and vowed to give her child to God's service. After this, she became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel.
- After a long absence, Samuel was able to bring God's spirit back to Israel.
- A woman called Hannah was infertile. She spoke to God and vowed to give her child to God's service. After this, she became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel.
- After a long absence, Samuel was able to bring God's spirit back to Israel.
Jephthah (c. 1120 BCE)
- Jephthah was a fierce fighter
- In return for God's help in battle, he promised to sacrifice the first living thing that greeted him when he got home. This turned out to be his daughter.
- Jephthah killed 42000 Ephraimites soldiers.
- He showed a lack of faith in God. His legacy was a legacy of strife.
- Jephthah was a fierce fighter
- In return for God's help in battle, he promised to sacrifice the first living thing that greeted him when he got home. This turned out to be his daughter.
- Jephthah killed 42000 Ephraimites soldiers.
- He showed a lack of faith in God. His legacy was a legacy of strife.
Samson (c. 1100 BCE)
- Samson was given incredible physical strength by God. He became Israel's hero because he was full of potential and morally conscious.
- Samson became involved with a woman called Delilah. The Philistines (Israel's enemy) bribed Delilah with a large amount of silver to betray Samson. Samson revealed to her that his strength came from God and he would lose it if he lost his hair. Delilah cut his hair off and he lost his strength, so he was captured by the Philistines. They blinded Samson.
- This was symbolic of the Israelites at the time of the judges. They took God for granted, and were so blind that they were unaware that God's protecting presence had departed from them.
- Samson was taken to a temple. He prays to God asking for enough strength to take down the pillars of the temple, and he dies after destroying the temple. This act can be seen as heroic or as suicidal terrorism.
- Samson was given incredible physical strength by God. He became Israel's hero because he was full of potential and morally conscious.
- Samson became involved with a woman called Delilah. The Philistines (Israel's enemy) bribed Delilah with a large amount of silver to betray Samson. Samson revealed to her that his strength came from God and he would lose it if he lost his hair. Delilah cut his hair off and he lost his strength, so he was captured by the Philistines. They blinded Samson.
- This was symbolic of the Israelites at the time of the judges. They took God for granted, and were so blind that they were unaware that God's protecting presence had departed from them.
- Samson was taken to a temple. He prays to God asking for enough strength to take down the pillars of the temple, and he dies after destroying the temple. This act can be seen as heroic or as suicidal terrorism.
Kings
The people of Israel asked Samuel for a King. God said that they were rejecting God's authority, and not Samuel's, because the people would worship the King instead of God, which violates the first commandment.
King Saul (c. 1090 BCE)
- God appointed Saul to be king.
- Saul did not follow the Mosaic commandments. He challenged Samuel's authority. He was impatient and was not a good king.
- Philistine armies killed all of Saul's sons, so he took his own life to avoid being captured.
- God appointed Saul to be king.
- Saul did not follow the Mosaic commandments. He challenged Samuel's authority. He was impatient and was not a good king.
- Philistine armies killed all of Saul's sons, so he took his own life to avoid being captured.
King David (c. 1050 BCE)
- God sent Samuel to Jesse's house to find the new king. After Jesse brought all of his older and stronger sons, Samuel asked Jesse for his youngest son David, who was a shepherd. David was chosen to be king.
- David defeated Goliath, a Philistine giant, with a slingshot and Goliath's own sword. This showed David's faith in God.
- David played the lyre for King Saul and befriended his son, Jonathan.
- Jonathan gave David his robe, sword, armor, bow, and belt. This symbolized Jonathan turning over the rights to the throne to David.
- David came into power at age 30 after Saul's death.
- David committed adultery with a woman called Bathsheba. Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, was a soldier. To avoid being caught, David told Uriah to return home, but Uriah was a good soldier and refused. As a result, David sent Uriah to where the most intense battles are, and Uriah was killed in battle. David married Bathsheba.
- There was a lot of jealousy between David's children. Absalom was one of David's sons, and he raped one of his half-sisters, then rebelled against his father. He died in battle, and David mourned his son.
- God sent Samuel to Jesse's house to find the new king. After Jesse brought all of his older and stronger sons, Samuel asked Jesse for his youngest son David, who was a shepherd. David was chosen to be king.
- David defeated Goliath, a Philistine giant, with a slingshot and Goliath's own sword. This showed David's faith in God.
- David played the lyre for King Saul and befriended his son, Jonathan.
- Jonathan gave David his robe, sword, armor, bow, and belt. This symbolized Jonathan turning over the rights to the throne to David.
- David came into power at age 30 after Saul's death.
- David committed adultery with a woman called Bathsheba. Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, was a soldier. To avoid being caught, David told Uriah to return home, but Uriah was a good soldier and refused. As a result, David sent Uriah to where the most intense battles are, and Uriah was killed in battle. David married Bathsheba.
- There was a lot of jealousy between David's children. Absalom was one of David's sons, and he raped one of his half-sisters, then rebelled against his father. He died in battle, and David mourned his son.
King Solomon (c. 1020 BCE)
- Solomon was Bathsheba's son who took David's heir. God appeared to Solomon and granted him one wish, and Solomon asked for wisdom.
- Solomon built the first temple for God in Jerusalem, which lasted for 400 years.
- The Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon, and Solomon answered her questions with great wisdom. Because of this, she recognized Israel's God. Her thirst for true wisdom is symbolic of the soul's thirst for God.
- However, Solomon made some unwise choices. He chose most of his wives from outside of Israel and built temples for them. He abandoned the worship of Israel's God and turned away from the temple he built to engage in the religious cults of other peoples. Solomon violated the first commandment.
- God told Solomon that he had forfeited his father's kingdom. God allowed Solomon to retain power as he lived but foretold the breakup of his kingdom.
- Solomon was Bathsheba's son who took David's heir. God appeared to Solomon and granted him one wish, and Solomon asked for wisdom.
- Solomon built the first temple for God in Jerusalem, which lasted for 400 years.
- The Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon, and Solomon answered her questions with great wisdom. Because of this, she recognized Israel's God. Her thirst for true wisdom is symbolic of the soul's thirst for God.
- However, Solomon made some unwise choices. He chose most of his wives from outside of Israel and built temples for them. He abandoned the worship of Israel's God and turned away from the temple he built to engage in the religious cults of other peoples. Solomon violated the first commandment.
- God told Solomon that he had forfeited his father's kingdom. God allowed Solomon to retain power as he lived but foretold the breakup of his kingdom.
Kingdom Divided
The kings of Israel and Judah were cruel, foolish, weak, and sinful. People ignored the warnings of prophets and forgot the painful consequences of violating the covenant. They became assimilated into the cultures of their enforced or adopted new homes. This caused the breakup of Israel.
Assyrians take over Israel in the North (c. 722 BCE)
- Did not overtake the southern kingdom. Jerusalem was besieged, but not taken.
- Israelites were taken captive.
- The tribes exiled by Assyria were later known as the Ten Lost Tribes.
- Did not overtake the southern kingdom. Jerusalem was besieged, but not taken.
- Israelites were taken captive.
- The tribes exiled by Assyria were later known as the Ten Lost Tribes.
Babylonians take over Judah in the South (c. 586 BCE)
- The Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and destroyed Jerusalem.
- Solomon's temple was burned to the ground.
- The people of Judah were carried off into captivity in Babylon.
- The Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and destroyed Jerusalem.
- Solomon's temple was burned to the ground.
- The people of Judah were carried off into captivity in Babylon.
Persian Occupation (c. 539 BCE)
- Exiled Jews began to return to the land of Judah.
- Construction of the second temple in Jerusalem began at this time.
- Exiled Jews began to return to the land of Judah.
- Construction of the second temple in Jerusalem began at this time.
Greek Occupation (c. 332 BCE)
- The Greeks allowed Jews to practice their own religion.
- The Greeks allowed Jews to practice their own religion.
Roman Occupation (c. 60 BCE)
- The Roman general Pompey invaded Jerusalem and made the Jewish kingdom a client state of Rome.
- The Roman general Pompey invaded Jerusalem and made the Jewish kingdom a client state of Rome.
Prophets
Prophets speak on behalf of God. The main things prophets do are demand for change of behavior, predict disasters if people do not reform their ways, and remind people of God's faithfulness and promises.
Elijah (c. 900 BCE)
- God sent a prophet called Elijah the Tishbite. He took on King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who were two very selfish and immoral people.
- Elijah had a showdown with the prophets of Baal, which Queen Jezebel worshipped. He brought down fire from the sky, then rode up to the sky on a chariot of fire.
- God sent a prophet called Elijah the Tishbite. He took on King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who were two very selfish and immoral people.
- Elijah had a showdown with the prophets of Baal, which Queen Jezebel worshipped. He brought down fire from the sky, then rode up to the sky on a chariot of fire.
Isaiah (c. 760 BCE)
- There were most likely several prophets that contributed to the Book of Isaiah.
- Isaiah criticized people for abandoning their covenant with God.
- He warned the people of consequences such as foreign invasion and exile.
- Isaiah believed in the "remnant", a group of people who would remain faithful and from whom God would bring forth an eternal reign of peace and justice. The concept of the Messiah stemmed from this.
- He explains that God's relationship with the people comes through powerful imagery, such as maternal and spousal love, or the relationship between the artisan and the artwork.
- Refers to the "suffering servant". In Judaism, it refers to the nation of Israel or the Messiah. In Christianity, it refers to Jesus.
- There were most likely several prophets that contributed to the Book of Isaiah.
- Isaiah criticized people for abandoning their covenant with God.
- He warned the people of consequences such as foreign invasion and exile.
- Isaiah believed in the "remnant", a group of people who would remain faithful and from whom God would bring forth an eternal reign of peace and justice. The concept of the Messiah stemmed from this.
- He explains that God's relationship with the people comes through powerful imagery, such as maternal and spousal love, or the relationship between the artisan and the artwork.
- Refers to the "suffering servant". In Judaism, it refers to the nation of Israel or the Messiah. In Christianity, it refers to Jesus.
Jeremiah (c. 620 BCE)
- Jeremiah was the original prophet of doom (punishment).
- He preached in Judah during the time of prosperity and peace before Babylonian invasion.
- He explains that God's love and forgiveness is greater than anger and punishment.
- He warns people that God cannot be taken for granted.
- Explains that God demands care for poor and justice in human dealings.
- He was known for teaching by the use of objects; the potter and clay - the destiny of Israel is in the hands of God.
- Jeremiah was the original prophet of doom (punishment).
- He preached in Judah during the time of prosperity and peace before Babylonian invasion.
- He explains that God's love and forgiveness is greater than anger and punishment.
- He warns people that God cannot be taken for granted.
- Explains that God demands care for poor and justice in human dealings.
- He was known for teaching by the use of objects; the potter and clay - the destiny of Israel is in the hands of God.
Ezekiel (c. 590 BCE)
- Ezekiel was a prophet before and during the Babylonian exile.
- He viewed his task as one of warning but also as encouraging people to remain faithful while in Babylon.
- He prophesied a new Restoration to the Promised Land.
- He frequently acted out his prophecy. For example, he burned his beard and hair to signify the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
- He compared Israel's infidelity to prostitution, as people are unfaithful to God.
- He was known for his visions. They include the Four Living Creatures, Wheels within Wheels, and the Valley of Dry Bones.
- Ezekiel was a prophet before and during the Babylonian exile.
- He viewed his task as one of warning but also as encouraging people to remain faithful while in Babylon.
- He prophesied a new Restoration to the Promised Land.
- He frequently acted out his prophecy. For example, he burned his beard and hair to signify the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
- He compared Israel's infidelity to prostitution, as people are unfaithful to God.
- He was known for his visions. They include the Four Living Creatures, Wheels within Wheels, and the Valley of Dry Bones.
Minor Prophets (c. 810 BCE to c. 410 BCE)
- There were 12 minor prophets.
- Hosea was told by God to marry a prostitute. He explained that Israel is a prostitute, and God continues to accept Israel and its people.
- Amos and Micah preached justice.
- There were 12 minor prophets.
- Hosea was told by God to marry a prostitute. He explained that Israel is a prostitute, and God continues to accept Israel and its people.
- Amos and Micah preached justice.
Message of Hope
- There will be a Restoration of Jerusalem.
- There will be the coming of the Messiah who will restore the Promised Land to the People.
- There will be a Restoration of Jerusalem.
- There will be the coming of the Messiah who will restore the Promised Land to the People.