The Children of Israel

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The Children of Israel

• -Key Concepts-

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I. A Brief History

• Abraham, Isaac and JacobThe Patriarchs
• Moses and the Exodus from Egypt1250 BCE
• Joshua and the Judges (1250-1025 BCE)

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I. A Brief History (cont)

• King Saul, David and Solomon1025-920 BCE
• Northern Kingdom overrun by Assyria
• Southern Kingdom overrun by Babylon
• Babylonian Exile and Return to Jerusalem

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II. View of God

• Monotheistic
• Sovereign (Without Limits)
• -- YHWH I Am
• Transcendent
• Good

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III. View of Mankind

• Heart prioritized over the head
• -- Yada To Know
• Sense of Individualism
• Morally Free
• Prone to Disobey Yahweh

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IV. Rejection of Idol Worship

• Worship of idols deprived people of freedom and
  dignity.
• Yahweh was not to be represented by any pictures
  or imageseven His name often went unmentioned.
• Ultimate loyalty of Israelites was to Yahweh and
  Yahweh alone
• --Masada

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V. View of the Truth

• Source of Truth External Yahweh
• Truth acquired by revelation, not reason
• Revelation of Yahweh the Hebrew Bible
• --5 central books Torah
• Israel selected by Yahweh to be carriers of Gods
  law to the nationsthis mission was a painful
  dilemma for them.

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VI. View of the Law

• Greater Ethical awareness than other Near Eastern
  law codes
• The Torah regulated all aspects of daily life
• Position of women in Hebrew law
• Hebrew law did not permit vicarious punishments
• Slaves were protected from mistreatment

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VII. View of History

• Theocentric Calendar ordered around Gods
  actions in history
• Linear Events were unique, not cyclical
• Utopian Future state of peace envisioned
• Morally Meaningful History was a divine drama
  endowed with sacred significance
• Unique Israels perception of their mission

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VIII. Marriage and Daily Life

• Hebrew marriage custom
• Romantic love and intimacy celebrated
• -- Song of Solomon
• Expectations for children were strong
• Roles and duties of sons and daughters
• Religious role of women
• Hebrew perception of commerce