May 2nd Assignment
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The story of Judaism is really the story of a nation of people. It all begins with a man, Abraham, chosen of God to help create a relationship with all men. As a part of this relationship, Abraham becomes God's representative to the people around him, and is promised that he will be the father of many descendents and that they will have a home.
Abraham lived somewhere around the time 1800 BC in the land of Babylon. He was led by faith in God to move his family and belongings away from the rich and powerful nation of Babylon to the remote area of Canaan. There he prospered as a rancher and his flocks grew. It was Abraham who established the Covenant with God that ensured that Abraham's family would grow and live in that land. Nothing seemed to be happening for him most of his life as the family of Abraham remained very small, but the promise was handed down to his son Isaac, and then to Jacob. It was then than the family grew, as Jacob (also called Israel) had 12 sons.
Under Jacob, and his son Joseph, the family was invited to move to Egypt to escape a period of famine in Canaan. There they grew in numbers and wealth until they became a concern for the Pharoahs, so they were made into the slave force of Egypt. For 400 years they lived there, until they escaped and were led back to Canaan by Moses (c.1300 BC). It was under Moses that the teachings and history of Judaism were first written down and the books of the law were created: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Moses handed leadership of the Israelites over to Joseph, who led them in to conquer the promised land of Canaan. By now they were too numerous to pick out a plot of land like Abraham had, they needed the whole territory. They divided the country into areas for each of the 12 tribes to live.
Abraham lived somewhere around the time 1800 BC in the land of Babylon. He was led by faith in God to move his family and belongings away from the rich and powerful nation of Babylon to the remote area of Canaan. There he prospered as a rancher and his flocks grew. It was Abraham who established the Covenant with God that ensured that Abraham's family would grow and live in that land. Nothing seemed to be happening for him most of his life as the family of Abraham remained very small, but the promise was handed down to his son Isaac, and then to Jacob. It was then than the family grew, as Jacob (also called Israel) had 12 sons.
Under Jacob, and his son Joseph, the family was invited to move to Egypt to escape a period of famine in Canaan. There they grew in numbers and wealth until they became a concern for the Pharoahs, so they were made into the slave force of Egypt. For 400 years they lived there, until they escaped and were led back to Canaan by Moses (c.1300 BC). It was under Moses that the teachings and history of Judaism were first written down and the books of the law were created: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Moses handed leadership of the Israelites over to Joseph, who led them in to conquer the promised land of Canaan. By now they were too numerous to pick out a plot of land like Abraham had, they needed the whole territory. They divided the country into areas for each of the 12 tribes to live.
Under Joseph, and those Judges who came after him the nation of Israel settled into the land of Canaan and called it Israel. The Judges job was to settle any disputes that arose and to unite the people when the need arose, such as when they would be invaded.
About 1050 BC, the country had grown and wanted a full time government, this meant a King. They asked the prophet and Judge Samuel to find a King and he chose Saul. Saul lost his reign and was followed by David, Israel's most famous King and the father of Solomon, who would be Israel's richest King and builder of the Temple of God in Jerusalem. The country of Israel was now recognized as a political and military power in the area, although it would never compete with its stronger neighbors of Babylon, Egypt and Persia. The history of the Kings is found in the books of Kings.
About 1050 BC, the country had grown and wanted a full time government, this meant a King. They asked the prophet and Judge Samuel to find a King and he chose Saul. Saul lost his reign and was followed by David, Israel's most famous King and the father of Solomon, who would be Israel's richest King and builder of the Temple of God in Jerusalem. The country of Israel was now recognized as a political and military power in the area, although it would never compete with its stronger neighbors of Babylon, Egypt and Persia. The history of the Kings is found in the books of Kings.
By the year 597 BC the Kings of Israel and Judah had led the country away from following God's laws. They lost the protection of God and were conquered by Babylon. At this time the Babylonian king destroyed many of the buildings in Jerusalem, including the temple, and took most of the Jews off to exile in Babylon. The exile lasted for about 70 years, until the Jews were in favor with the new Persian king (who conquered the Babylonians) and were released to return and rebuild Jerusalem. The history of the exile period is found in Esther, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah.
Through the entire period of Israel's history there were the Prophets. These were men that received messages from God to lead the nation of Israel through certain events. Their main message through the ages was for Israel to follow God's law and hold to the covenant and God would protect them and save them from danger.
Through the entire period of Israel's history there were the Prophets. These were men that received messages from God to lead the nation of Israel through certain events. Their main message through the ages was for Israel to follow God's law and hold to the covenant and God would protect them and save them from danger.