Salvation History Our History
Salvation History The history of how our heavenly Dad has reached out to His children through and in history. How He has never stopped digging us out of the rubble. How He has protected, provided for, instructed, loved, and forgiven His sons and daughters.
The Founders and the Promise 1850-1700 1700 B.C. Patriarchs- Founding Fathers Abraham- pagan in Mesopotamia(Iraq) promise/covenant: land and descendants Wife Sarah (matriarch) Sign of the covenant- circumcision Sealed/ratified the covenant- sacrifice -took a leap of faith and trusted in God
2nd patriarch- Isaac- married Rebekah Twin sons: Jacob and Esau Jacob- 3 rd Patriarch 2 wives, 2 concubines(surrogate childbearer)= 12 sons/tribes of Israel
Genesis ends with the Israelites In Egypt Due to famine, no food or water -Customs practiced during the Patriarchal Period- polygamy and intermarrying- necessary for the survival of the tribe, not what God desires. -God works within the sinfulness of our ancestors to fulfill His divine plan for our salvation.
In Exodus, we learn that Our ancestors are enslaved. 1700-1290 1290 B.C. Moses- born of a Hebrew woman, raised Egyptian. - Call of Moses, burning bush, Yahweh ( I( AM )= Theophany -lead the Israelites out of Egypt- Exodus
Plagues Reveal the omnipotence of God 10 th plague: death of the firstborn, 1 st Passover Exodus- mass departure Sinai Covenant- God will be their God, people promise to be God s s HOLY (set apart) people, worship God ONLY. -10 Commandments: sign of covenant, sealed with a sacrifice.
Journey through the desert 40 years Learn how to live in right relationship with God and one another Time of hardship, learn to trust/depend on God. 1290-1250 1250 B.C.
Taking over the Promised Land 1250-1000 1000 B.C. Joshua takes over as leader of the people. Then, Judges (military leaders) lead the people to gain control of the Promised Land.
United Monarchy of Israel-1000 B.C.-922 B.C. Want a king to rule over them like other nations God, through Samuel the Prophet, discourages this request. Why is a king a bad idea? -God is their King, HOLY People -heavy taxes, forced labor, draft sons, daughters are servant
3 Kings of Israel Saul David- made Jerusalem the capitol city - God made a covenant with David. Solomon- built the Temple in Jerusalem - had 1000s of wives- political alliances, idolatry increased. -heavy taxation, forced labor Solomon died in 922 B.C.
Divided Kingdom- Schism/Split 922 B.C. 2 Kingdoms North- Israel South- Judah Kings were corrupt, rise in idolatry, oppressed the poor and weak
Conquered/crushed by foreign nations 721- Assyrian Conquest of the North 587- Babylonian Conquest and Great Exile Despite these event, God s s Chosen People retained their identity because of the prophets and priests who encouraged them to return to the covenant, to repent.
Return from Exile Around 530 B.C. Persian Empire conquered Babylonia. Allowed the exiles to return home Now they are called Jews, from their homeland of Judah. Rebuilding Temple and Jerusalem
Greek Period around 330 B.C. Alexander the Great conquers Palestine/Israel Hellenization- spread of the Greek culture Jews resist Hellenization. They are God s s HOLY people. Alexander dies, kingdom divided among his generals.
Maccabean Period In 167 B.C. Antiochus IV tries to Hellenize Israel. He outlaws Judaism, desecrates the Jewish Temple with a statue of Zeus, Greek god. He tortures and kills those Jews who continue to worship/follow Judaism. Martyrs, 2 Macc. 7
Maccabean Period- Cont. Jews revolt, The Maccabean Revolt. They take back their Temple, rededicate it to God. They defeat Antiochus. Jews are autonomous- self-rule Hannukah- feast of lights
Roman Period 63 B.C. Israel becomes a vassal state of Rome, subject to the Roman Empire and Law. Jews tolerated by the Romans- allowed to worship freely. Romans used violence and fear to keep the peace. Jews hoped for a better life. Hoped for a Messiah who would defeat Rome and establish Peace on earth.
Jesus lived during the Roman Period-- Born 6-46 4 B.C. Died 30-33 33 A.D. Founded the Catholic Christian Church Fulfilled the covenant of David- an heir from David s s line would reign forever The long awaited Messiah, but not the type of Messiah expected by the Jews.
Roman-Jewish War 66-70 A.D. Jews revolt against Roman Occupation. Jews are defeated. Jerusalem and Temple destroyed. End of Biblical Judaism- a Judaism based on sacrificial worship. Focus now on prayer and the Jewish Bible.
The Church begins to grow First among Jews, then non-jews or Gentiles.