HISTORY OF ISRAEL

v    March 11, 2010.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it!

·                     Preliminaries

1.1.               The Meaning of History

To have a sense of history is a light that illuminates the present and at the same time directs attention towards the possibility of the future. Therefore, without an adequate knowledge of the history; which is both the written record and oral tradition, events of our contemporary history can be disconnected or distorted.  

The word ‘history’, comes from the Greek word ‘historia’, which means ‘inquiry’, knowledge acquired by investigation. History therefore is a record or account of the past events or development. History is facilitated by the formation of a true discourse of the past through the production of narrative and analysis of the past events relating to the human race. Many historians recognize that there is an uninterrupted history. An event is a meaningful happening in the life of people. The author selects, he/she only recounts the events which are meaningful for him/her and the community which he/she represents.

1.2. The Israelites and their sense of history

Israel in the ancient world was a nation with a sense of history. It was a history rooted in a single and unforgettable event which was the Exodus or departure from Egypt and a dynamic leader who is Moses. Behind Moses stood other notable/important people dating backwards of years to Abraham and his descendant. Yet they too, were somehow preserved permanently in the memory of their people. Thus over a period of centuries, Israel complied what is the first true national history. 

The documents were preserved in the Hebrew Bible also called the Old Testament. The remarkable feature of this history is its inclusion of all the fault and failures but also the successes. There was no attempt to colour the records to make Israel look good to its people or to anyone else. Even the heroes of the narratives are depicted with all of their weaknesses and strength.

The Bible in which the Old Testament is contained is adventure. It is the story of people who are passionate for God who believes in him and knows that they can be happy if and only if they follow him. The Bible is composed of so many parts which in themselves have no meaning but are necessary to understand the whole history. Each event in the Bible has been presented in different style. But it shows a particular experience the people of Israel had/lived. The Bible gives an account of faith. It is not concerned with systematic historical and scientific events as such. But it transmits the experience of faith. It shows how God worked in their history. So it is very much connected with faith. Israel was conditioned by its history; it is placed in that part of the world where it exists. Its religious evolution often corresponds with that of those around them. However, in many cases the history of Israel shows original evolution – why? Because I am different since God talks to me and calls me – Psalm 105: 12.

So the most distinctive feature of the Jewish people is their sense of history. Judaism is the religion of the people who have a unique memory that reaches back through the centuries. The Bible concerns the revelation of God. It is sacred history which expresses the relationship between God and his people. The Bible gathers over two thousand years of history. It is important to resituate each element in its own context to see how it was influenced by the culture and surroundings.

1.3. The Bible - OT

The Bible is divided into two groupings – the Old and the New Testament. The word ‘testament’ comes from a Latin word ‘Testamentum’, which comes from Hebrew word ‘Berith’ and the Greek word ‘Diatheke.

-                    Berith. The word “Berith”, means covenant. It is a link or agreement between two individuals, two parties or two groups or more.

-                    Diatheke. The word ‘Diatheke is more juridical and it means ‘last will or testament’. Thus testament refers to the covenant between God and his people. It is the central fact of salvation.

First, there was the old covenant made between Moses and God at Sinai and the new covenant was made through Jesus himself. Secondly, the New Testament is a testament in the sense that it is not valid until the testator, that is to say, Jesus himself, had died. The covenant with Jesus is the fulfillment of the old covenant with Moses.

The Bible is often called Scripture, the Scriptures or Holy Scripture. It means the word of God set down in writing. So there can be the words not written! Where are they? In our hearts! Secondly, it is the writings which are the word of God for us and not the events or the words spoken before they were composed. The first part of the Bible, the Old Testament is common to both Jews and Christians but with some differences. The Jews, followed by the Protestants, recognize the books written in Hebrew – 40 of them.

1.4. The Hebrew Bible Divided into three Parts.

(a) The Law (Torah) or Pentateuch

·                     Genesis

·                     Exodus

·                     Leviticus

·                     Numbers

·                     Deuteronomy

(b) The Prophets (Nebiim)

The earlier prophets

·                     Joshua

·                     Judges

·                     Samuel (1 and 2)

·                     Kings (1 and 2)

The later prophets (The three Major Prophets)

·                     Isaiah

·                     Jeremiah

·                     Ezekiel

Then the twelve minor prophets

·                     Hosea

·                     Joel

·                     Amos

·                     Obadiah

·                     Jonah

·                     Micah

·                     Nahum

·                     Habakkuk

·                     Haggai

·                     Zechariah

·                     Zephaniah

·                     Malachi

(c) The Writings (Kethubim): Wisdom Literature

·                     Psalm

·                     Proverbs

·                     Job

·                     Ruth

·                     Song of Songs

·                     Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes)

·                     Esther

·                     Daniel

·                     Ezra

·                     Nehemiah

The Christian Bible Divided into Four Parts.

·                     The Pentateuch

·                     The historical books

·                     The Wisdom books

·                     The Prophets

v    March 18, 2010.

·                     The history of Israel

Israel is a state in Middle East. The capital is Tel Aviv. In 1948, the Jews went back to Israel for fear of being terminated. This is on account of their experience during World War II. The life of isreal did not start with Abraham, it started long before him.

·                     The Geography of Israel

·                     Introduction

Geography is the scientific study of the earth. It helps to make the world more understandable. Through its study, people can appreciate better the great variety of earth’s land, people as well as the connection and relationships between the two. The Jewish people are conditioned by their geographical environment. The ancient Palestine was shared by a diversity of people not limited to Judaism or Israelites.

3.1. The Geography of Palestine.

The nature of the geography of Palestine divides the land into a series of lands: north – south – zones with very few easy means of getting across the country from west to east. There are four major zones in the Palestinian geographical areas namely:

1.                   The coastal plain with sandy and marshy soil that stretches from a narrow belt in the north to broad areas in the south.

2.                   The hill country or shephelah is a series of low hills and valleys up from coastal plain and this area is good for sheep shepherding. There are also orchards with some settlements.

3.                   The central mountain range. This runs like a spine down the eastern part of the country. In this spine stretch, we find Jerusalem.

4.                   The Jordan valley. This is the lowest area on earth in the world. It stretches down the whole eastern area and is broken into two – the Galilee Lake on one side and the Jordan River on the other. This area is also called the Arabah. This land is also divided by 4 major regions that stretches across from east to west

1.                   Galilee. This is a mountainous region north of the Esdraelon valley which goes up to the high mountains of Lebanon.

2.                   Samaria. This is in the middle of the country and it is hilly by nature. It forms the heart of the northern kingdom after the time of Solomon.

3.                   Judah. This is a mixture of the high mountains and dry and wilderness area to the east. In the western side, the land is fertile and they produce vegetables and fruits.

4.                   Negev. The Negev is a desert area stretching across the whole southern part of the land. It makes more than half of the total area of the land of Palestine. It gradually goes towards the Sinai desert dividing Palestine and Egypt; not many people live there.

3.1. Outside Palestine

This area is called the Fertile Crescent. It was the cradle of Asiatic cultures. Mesopotamia is situated between the two rivers Euphrates and Tigris. It is a very fertile valley surrounded by desert. Mesopotamia is where existed in history, the big empires – Assyria in the north, Babylon in the south and Persia in the east.

v    The Nile valley.

The Nile valley is very fertile and is used for communication. Egypt was a strong nation with strong people since 3000 BC. These people, Jews and Egyptians fought against one another and very often they met in Palestine. Palestine therefore had a closer kinship with Mesopotamia in terms of culture and language.

3.3. The Mediterranean World.

In the north-west of the Mediterranean Sea, the land was fertile and strong people developed. Here we have the Phoenicians in the 10^th century BC who were maritime people and they were doing commerce with King Solomon. Later, the Greeks became more and more powerful in the 8^th century BC. Finally, the Greeks took over Palestine and their different kingdoms. In the 3^rd century BC, the Romans appeared/came into the scene.

3.4. Inside Palestine.

Because of its relative isolation in the mountains, Israel could never be absorbed by either one or the other of these ancient big empires. It was conquered and held as a buffer-state but it could never be an integral part of one or the other. However, Israel had some similarities of language and culture with Babylon.

The physical insecurity of the land contributed to promote an attitude o dependence on God forever even for the basic necessities of life. Inside Palestine, we find the Jordan River which cannot be navigated. It is more of a barrier than a link.

v    The Jordan Valley.

The Jordan valley is fertile in the north u but in the south, it is a waste land. It is the Rift Valley which starts from Syria to Malawi in central Africa.

v    Palestinian Climate.

There are two climatic features in Palestine – the dry and the rainy seasons. The dry season is from May to October; whole the rainy season is from October to June.

v    Economy

The account of Israel’s economy is found in Deuteronomy 8:7-9. In terms of agriculture, they produce cereal crops which are harvested between April and June. They also have grapes, Olives Oil, Wine, and Wheat. They equally have sheep and goat which gives them milk, meat and hides.

4. The Ancient Orient Israel before 2000BC.

Introduction

Recent discoveries have offered further possibilities with regards to the history of Pre-Patriarchal periods. These discoveries were made at Tell-Mardikh, which is around 40 kilometers south of Aleppo. 15000 tablets were discovered in the palace achieve and they seem to give evidence of a mighty Canaanite empire in Syria. This place Aleppo is also called Ebla. The main god of Ebla had the same name as the ancestor of Abraham Ebrum or Ebirium which is the same Biblical name Eber – cf Genesis 11. Many Biblical names were found on the tablet such as Sinai, Gaza, Jerusalem, Abraham, Ishmael, David, Saul, and Israel. The discovery of this tablet was made in 1975; obviously a lot of research is still to be made but already these findings gives us a clue of what happened.

The experts are asking: “was Ebel the founder of Israel? Do the patriarchal traditions of genesis reflect something of Ebla? Some think there are possibilities because we find some names like Mi-ka-ilu (el) which later metamorphosised into Yahweh.

The first texts Bible were written around 100 BC but human beings have existed long before then around 45000 BC when the Homo sapiens first appeared. Abraham lived around 2000 BC and what we know about him is based on oral tradition.

v    March 25, 2010

·                     Ebla

·                     Simuche

·                     Mari

·                     Nuzu

·                     Amarna

·                     Ugarit

An extinct Semitic language of the region that is now Northern Syria, closely related to Hebrew and Phoenicia 

·                     Akkadians

·                     Assignment

·                     Substantiate the importance of studying history of Israel – 1-2 pages.

4.1          The Old Stone Age/ Paleolithic Period; before 18000 B.C

Our planet or the universe is about 4.5 billion years old. A long time after the creation of the universe, man appeared. It is probably that man appeared through evolution. From the first moment of human existence, they were involved in hunting, agriculture, pottery, metallurgy and writing. They were living in caves and used stones or traps in hunting and then they learned to use fire.

4.2                Later Stone Age – 18000 – 3200 B.C

This period was characterized from food-gathering to a food-producing economy. It also used metals. Later Stone Age is a long period hence it is divided into different periods.

4.2.1           Mesolithic Period or Middle Stone Age

This period goes from 18000 to 8000 B.C. At this period people lived in caves and they lived by fishing and hunting. At the end of this period, they started living in villages. This was the beginning of agriculture. They discovery of agriculture was in Jericho before the time of pottery. They use sickle. They also started to domesticating animals.

4.2.2           Neolithic Period or (New Stone Age)

This period goes from 8000 to 4500 B.C. The culture and customs of the people were flourishing. There was an improvement in agriculture and increase in population. The Mesopotamian civilization acquired its foundation which will be felt for centuries. Huge megalithic monuments or domains of Palestine were constructed. Pottery was developed quickly at this time and they also made some figures of deities or goddesses.

4.2.3           Chalcolithic Period/Copper Stone Age

This period is from 45000 to 3200 B.C. The potteries were magnificent at this time and they also had different designs. The civilization started in lower Mesopotamia where we find big cities. The upper Mesopotamia was densely populated. Cities were built and had formal organization. At the end of the 4^th century, appeared writings which were introduced by Sumerians. This age is also called Copper Age because they were using copper at the time. This copper comes probably from Sinai Peninsula. There was also commerce or business up and down the lower Nile. Civilization therefore was largely developed before Abraham.

4.3.              Bronze Age – 3200 – 1250 B.C

Pottery continued to be the chef source of information. They became more and more sophisticated. They made different things out of pottery.

4.3    The Sumerian Age – 2900 to 1250 B.C

The land of Mesopotamia was organized into a city- state; mostly small in size. There was a sort of primitive democracy in the Sumerian city-state. The king in that democracy is advised by a congress of two houses. They city-state was theocratic in nature – ruled by gods.

Polytheistic religion was highly developed. The Sumerians had developed a sense of right and wrong. The concept of law was there. Mari was a prominent town. In 1964 in Ebla, they found hips of tablets. At the same time, there was a tension between the wish to become independent as a city but also to absorb those who come into the city. The people at this time worked on metal business. They also used oxen and donkey in carrying things.

5.                   The Patriarchs

Introduction

The stories we have in the Bible comes from oral tradition. Among the Israelites there was a strong feeling for ties or kinship which gave them a chance to be more accurate in transmitting the traditions. These oral traditions were always renewed and new elements were introduced. Even after the process of written fixation had began, still oral tradition continued. At the same time, they were shaping the materials they have. Hence it is difficult to reconstruct the history of Israel from the beginning because it is too much unknown.

We know nothing about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other patriarchs apart form what we are told in the Bible. The historical events were much complex than what is written in the Bible. Theologically people and events mentioned are all descendants of Abraham but physically, they come from different strains or sources – cf Gen 13: 1-3; 49: 5-7

5.1 The Historical Setting of Patriarchal Narratives.

The names of the patriarchs correspond with those used during that time in the area. The patriarchal custom also fit with those of the people at the time – cf Gen. 12, 16, and 24. There were many links with the semi-nomads living near Mari in the fringe/edge of the desert.

5.2                The Hebrew Ancestors and History

5.2.1           Place of Origin and migration of the Patriarchs

it cannot be denied that the patriarchs came from upper Mesopotamia and felt a close kinship with the semi-nomads of the area. They came from Haran – Gen 11: 32; 12: 5. There are also cultural evidence which they followed. Prophetic phenomenon find close parallels in Mari texts. Texts concerning laws have also close connections with the Mesopotamian legal traditions – cf Exod. 21 - 23

The stories about creation, the flood, the Garden of Eden, the Towa of Babel have a Mesopotamian background and were brought by migrating people. The tradition that Abraham’s father Terah has migrated from Ur to Haran is less certain – cf Gen 11: 26 – 31. However, at that time, there were commercial and religious ties or connections between Haran and Ur.

5.2.2           The Hebrew Ancestors

The ancestors of the Israelites reached Palestine in various waves of time. The patriarchs lived peacefully with the native Canaanites although they maintained contacts with their relatives in Haran. They also mixed and intermarried. We believe that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and other patriarchs existed because their names came to us through oral tradition.

Their customs were linked with the customs of the people where they lived. But we should be aware that the narratives given in the Bible are far from what actually happened. The author(s) of the Bible had their own intention – religious intention.

The term Hapiru (Hebraic) found in Genesis 14:13, is important in the history of Israel. It originally referred not to any ethnic group but it was a stratum in the society. This term Hapiru denotes a class of people without citizenship who lived on the fringes of the society. This term Hapiru became a name for homeless people or displaced persons. They are not Hebrew as such but they helped to explain who the Hebrews were. They were peaceful but also raiders.

Somehow, the Hebrews have some links with Hapiru. Some of these Hebrews went to Egypt because of famine and they say it was the time of the Hyksos period – cf Gen 45: 8. The historical part of the Bible is secondary to us. What is important is the religious message conveyed to us which is the message of our faith.

v    April 22, 2010

5.3    The Religion of the Patriarchs

The Bible regards Moses as the founder of Israel’s religion. There is no doubt that the outstanding of Moses above all lay in the religious sphere. It was the link he established with ancient Hebrew traditions from the patriarchal age. However, Israel’s history and faith begins with Abraham. The Jews went back in from Moses’ event to find their roots. The problem is to know if all what is attributed to Abraham about his belief is in accord with the facts given. Nevertheless, the patriarch’s religion was unique and different from the official paganism of Mesopotamia, though there were some similar elements.

Therefore the picture given in the Bible is not merely projection but there are some substantial elements of their personal and covenantal relationship between head of clans and clan’s gods represents a phenomenon which was wide spread at that time especially among the Semitic nomads. So God was the unseen head of the house. He was a traveler God and guarantee fecundity. The migration of the patriarchs was conditioned by the environment, but they were led by the act of faith. The fundamental thing about them is that they have personal relationship between themselves and God which was supported by the covenant.

The religion of the patriarchs was therefore a clean religion. God always remained their patron. God in genesis is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their religion was therefore monotheistic and excluded other gods. When the patriarchs went to Egypt, they came into contact with the Canaanites and their religion which was sedentary and polytheistic. However, the religion of the patriarchs remained predominant and yet it was enriched by some elements of the Canaanite religion.

5.3.1. The God of the Father – Genesis 35: 1, 29

The most aspect of the religion of the patriarchs is the tradition of the God of the father who was invoked or who manifested himself as the God of his father. This singular formula was used earlier than the plural form that came later. This means that there was a change from the father, my father, his father to our father, their father – cf Exodus 4: 5. This God was not tied in the sanctuary like that of the Canaanites – he was not a sedentary god. This God was really a God of nomads. He was leading and accompanying them – Genesis 12:1; 32:10. Each patriarch was associated with a sanctuary. Abraham was associated with the sanctuary a Mamre; Isaac was associated with Beersheba, Jacob with Bethel and Israel with Shechem.

·                     El

El was the highest god in Canaanite religion or Pantheon. At Ugarit, he was called the father of the gods and of men and the creator of creatures. Outside Ugarit, El was entitled the creator of earth. El was therefore god the creator and procreator. He was given the title “The Bull”, “King”, and the “President” over all other gods. He was the almighty one, the powerful cosmic god. It is possible that the patriarchs got some of these titles into their own religion.

It is important to note that Baal was not worshipped by the Israelites. The idea of Baal was brought much later. Baal was the son of El and he became important in the religion of Ugarit.

5.3.2. Religious Practices.

1. Altar and Sacrifices

The patriarchs adopted sanctuaries which were already in existence. They never made sacrifices on altars except what we find in Genesis 22 which was brought for a different reason. It was the test of Abraham’s faith and obedience.

2.                   Sacred Stones and Trees

The patriarchs venerated these things as it was done that time; but it was condemned afterwards – cf 1 Kings 14: 22 – 24.

3.                   Circumcision

It is also very likely that the ancestors/patriarchs of Israel practiced circumcision. This was a very ancient rite which was an initiation to marriage.

Conclusion

The religion of the early Hebrew semi-nomads prepared the way for the later conception of the one Yahweh different from the Canaanite religion. This was a religion which was insisting on the relationship between God and his people or between God and human society.

6.                   The Exodus and the Conquest

·                     Introduction

The Old Testament story tellers see the exodus as a divine bringing out rather than simple departure from Egypt. The Exodus falls at the latest in the mid 13^th century. It was Ramses II – 1290 – 1223, who built granaries at Pithom. Ramses was the king of Egypt whom Moses confronted with the demand from Yahweh “Let my people go”. There is also someone called Seti I, who ruled between 1313 – 1301 BC. He was the pharaoh of oppression. It was at this time that the Exodus took place. No one questions that some of the patriarchs were in Egypt and we know very well that they had to escape from Egypt because of the oppression of Seti.

·         Reasons/evidence to believe that the Israelites were in Egypt.

1.                  Egyptian names which were prevailing in Israel such as Moses and Hophni

2.                  Documents confirmed that the Hapiru were slaves in Egypt

3.                  The situation described in the first chapters of Exodus is that of Egypt and the 19^th dynasty and the Exodus took place about the beginning of the reign of Ramses II (1290)

According to history, it was during the reign of Ramses II that Moses went to meet the pharaoh in power. However, historically we have no proof that one could go and face pharaoh that way. Ramses was harsh, rude and considered ad demigod.

4.                  There was a period of favour which was around 1740 – 1550 BC. This time Hyksos rule XV – XVII dynasty took charge at Avarice. This was said to be a time of revival for Egypt. Soon after that, Seti and Ramses came in and things changed. It is therefore very possible that the Exodus took place around 1250 – 1225

The bible story has a certain foundation with the real story of the Israelites. However, the Bible narratives were first and foremost the interpretation of this history through the eyes of faith.

·                     Home work

·                     Read about Moses

·                     Read about the meaning of the name of God “I am who am”

·                     Read about the plagues.

v    6/5/10

·                     The Tribal League 1200 – 1050 BC.

Introduction

On the account of the formation of the tribal league, we get our information from the Bible especially from the book of Joshua chapter 24. There was a great convocation at Shechem. It was located near Joseph’s grave and Jacob’s well – John 4: 5-6. It was a great Canaanite city. The city was the scene of decisive political struggle long before Joshua. It was a religious centre. It is said that shechem was not attacked by enemies. This means that the people of shechem were friendly even to those who wanted to attack them and that was the place where the renewal of the covenant was made – Joshua 24: 14-1.

As a leader, Joshua put the clans who were not in Egypt in front of their responsibility of which they had to make a choice. He demanded that they put away foreign god. At the end, Joshua mobilized people and made a construction of memorial stone.

7.1: The Israelites at Shechem

The Israelites’ capital city was Shechem. Later, it was replaced by Shiloh where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Shechem was an important town for Joshua. As they were making the renewal of the covenant at Shechem, a new element came up and these were mainly religious elements.

The Biblical account bases itself on Joshua chapter 24. It is possible that some tribes or rather clans from a limited area, made an agreement together to defend themselves in case of external attacks. These clans later became part and parcel of Israel.

7. 2: The beginning of the tribal League

The tribal structure of ancient Israel was a twelve tribal confederation. The origins and operation of this confederacy are obscure on many details. The tribal structure of Israel well adapted to town and village life, were geographical rather than tribal connections became important. The organization of the monarch left little room for the functions of tribal society. Life with the Israelites’ confederacy was a continuous struggle after the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy.

The Israelites faced the problem of adjusting themselves to agricultural ways. By adjusting themselves into agricultural ways, they were making themselves important as a nation among nations. At the same time, there was a deeper conflict of religious royalty. Israel reacted strongly against the culture of the Fertile Crescent. Here we find Abel and Cain. Abel the nomad was praised and Cain, who was sedentary, was condemned. The story of Babel’s tower was a nomadic protest against the culture of the Fertile Crescent. Because of this, a new problem arose or the Israelites. Yahweh has been the God of the nomads or wanderers but not the God of the sedentary of the Fertile Crescent. The question therefore was whether Yahweh could triumph in the rivalry with the gods who controls the circles of nature.

7.3: The twelve clans

In the life of the Israelites, there are three basic units: the family, the clan and the tribe.

1.                   The family

The family or extended family was under the patriarchs, and generally they were living in the same vicinity owing some land and cattle.

2.                   The clan

The clan consisted of several extended families that live close together in a village or in several villages nearby. They were governed by elders. There were intermarriages and they could use the same grazing land for their cattle. The feeling for belonging to a clan was important.

3.                   The tribe

The tribe was more vague and fluid entity. Some passages mentioned 10 tribes, others 12. The number 12 is obviously symbolic. It seems reasonably certain that at least some tribal names are directly derived from the names of the regions in which the tribes were formed. The fact that Jacob’s sons came from different wives shows that the degrees of kinship between the tribes were unequal. The division between the different wives of Jacob suggests a varied degree of kinship and dignity between the tribes: we have brothers, half-brothers and slaves. All these reflect the tribal condition in Palestine of that time – Genesis 35: 23-26.

·                     The twelve tribes

We can divide the twelve tribes in four different groups.

1.                   The Ephraimite/Israel Tribes

These were composed of Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. They were linked with Jacob’s two last sons. They did not represent the whole population of the area. Joshua was an Ephraimite.

2.                   The Galilee/Jazreel Tribes

These were Asher, Naphtali, Zebulon and Issachar. They were situated west of the Lake of Galilee. They share certain common interest with the Ephraimites/Israelites tribes. This was expressed by their common ancestor. Asher and possibly Zebulon were always present in Palestine. They did not go to Egypt.

3.                   Dan, Reuben and Gad

Their territory or land is difficult to determine. In any case, the vague and contradictory information regarding the settlement area of Gad and Reuben probably is best explained by supposing that these two tribes were never confined to a specific territory but ranged rather widely with their flocks. Again the tribes were not equal in size and some of them were absorbed quickly by others such as Reuben and Simon.

4.                   Judah and Levi

Judah had a different and independent story from the other tribes for quite a long time. We do not know when he joined the confederacy. Judah and the other southern tribal groups were very much on the periphery in the narrative of the book of Judges. Levi was indicated as a tribe in early text as we found in Genesis 49. The Levites grew of important under King David.

7.4: The tribal league and its institution as presented in the Bible

7.4.1: Origin of the tribal system and institutions

The origin of the covenant league goes back to the Sinai. There at Mount Sinai was a confederation of smaller family unit. They entered Palestine and spread all over. The focal point for Israelites’’ faith throughout the league was the shrine housing the Ark of the Covenant. Before the construction of the shrine, the Ark was kept in a tent.

7.4.2: Covenant and Laws – Exodus 20ff.

Laws were existing and were founded in Moses himself. There are two kinds of laws, namely apodictic law and casuistic laws.

·                     Apodictic laws

Apodictic laws are specifically Israelites’ laws. The Decalogue is an example. The characteristic of apodictic laws is “thou hall/shall not”. It is not a law code because it neither covers every possible contingence nor provides sanctions. It states rather a divine stipulation. For instance, “thou shall not kill”. They are religiously based.

·                     Casuistic laws

Casuistic laws are not distinctly Israelites and are found in ancient codes. We find them in Leviticus

7.4.3: Religious attitude towards history.

The basic conviction of Deuteronomy historian is theological obedience to Yahweh leads to peace. Disobedience leads to hardships and defeat – Judges 3; 7-11

v    May 20, 2010

·                     Northern kingdom: 842 – 721 BC

·                     Introduction

The prophet Amos lived that time in the northern kingdom but originally he is from the south. There was a division between Israel and Judah based on political stand. These two nations were originally bound together by religious tradition. Judah was always weak until Israel was broken.

8.5.1 The Rise of the Northern Kingdom

Jehu’s coup d’état was very harsh and brutal. He killed many people but he believed sincerely that he was carrying out his religious duties (God’s work). So the revolution which was carried out by Jehu had repercussions in the kingdom. The Judean King Ahazia was killed by Jehu, Ahazia’s mother Athalia was also killed.

In the north, the revolution was led by the prophets and in the east by the priests and during this period, he Kingdom of Assyria had troubles at home. Syria after having been a threat against Jehu was weakened by Assyria and Damascus was defeated by the Assyrians. For Israel, this was the most favourable time. The age of Jeroboam II which fell between 786 and 746 BC was a time of prosperity. Samaria became an economic centre of wealth. Commercial and colonial activities of the Phoenicians were at its peak via the Mediterranean world.

Israel on its part shared the profit for offering good services and exchanges. It was a time of prosperity but at the same time there was some injustices which were condemned by Hosea and Amos. King Jeroboam continued to follow and adore Baal. It was at the time of Jeroboam II that appeared the northern version of Israel’s sacred history which the scholars called Elohist. The emphasis at this time was the uniqueness of Moses.

8.5.2 The Fall of the Northern Kingdom

Assyria was suddenly weakened up by Tiglath-Pileser III around 745 and 727 BC. He marched towards Palestine conquering along the way everything. His goal was to dominate the Fertile Crescent. He had three points:

1.                  To establish a vassal relationship with the pay of high tribute

2.                  After the first rebellion, there was a military intervention and pro-Assyrian was put in place.

3.                  After the second rebellion, there was another military intervention. The population and the leaders were uprooted from their land and became refugees.

After the death of Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Israel called Hoshea refused to pay tribute and he thought that Egypt will help him and quickly Samaria also attacked. Tiglath-Pileser however died during the war and his successor finished took over.

8.5.3. Prophets at this time.

1. Amos.

The prophet Amos originally who was from the south but lived in the north was active during the reign of Jeroboam II. He was the first prophet whose oracle has been left to us in a written form. His book – the book of Amos, is a compilation of little units or oracles composed by different prophets in different occasions and at different times. Amos interpreted Israel’s crisis in the light of a common memory of event. For him, the evil of the flourishing society was due to the unfaithfulness to Yahweh. His message was a message of doom but at the same time he gave them message of hope.

2. Hosea.

Hosea prophesied in Israel after Amos. He started at the death of Jeroboam II. His book is also a compilation of oracles. He used the analogy of his marriage in which his wife was not faithful to show the relationship between God and his people. He was also a prophet of doom but h balanced the word of judgment with the promise of restoration and renewal.

8.6 Kings.

·                     Uzia 783-742 BC

Uzia was a contemporary of Jeroboam II. During his time (Uzia’s), Judah reached its peak of military and economic powers. There was a modification of the army and commercial centre and agricultural development. Uzia had a skin disease which was interpreted as God’s punishment. For him, the only threat was Assyria.

·                     Ahaz

Ahaz succeeded Uzia; he was weak and afraid of Assyria. He burnt his own son as an offering to empower him to rule. Isaiah as a prophet lived that time and it was Isaiah that gave the sign of Emmanuel. Though his message was for the people at that time, he had a point about the Messiah to come. Isaiah advised Ahaz not to attack Assyria but he did not accept this advice.

·                     Hezekiah

King Hezekiah succeeded Ahaz and was depicted as a wise ruler. He brought religious reformation. At the beginning of his reign, he was pro-Assyria but later he stiffened his attitude towards Assyria. Hezekiah is the one who constructed the Siloam tunnels or reservoir – 2 kings 20: 20. He left the kingdom ruined.

·                     Manasseh 687-640 BC

He had a very long reign and his period was the darkest period in the history of Judah. However, it was an important transitional period between the great 8^th century BC and the 7^th century. During the time of Manasseh, Assyria reached the very pinnacle of its power and glory. Manasseh believed that the best political policy at that time was for Judah to play a game with Assyria as a puppet. His policy paid-off because when the Assyrians crossed Palestine, Judah was left unmolested.

·                     Josiah and the discovery of Mosaic Torah

With Manasseh and the previous kings, the kingdom of Judah developed the concept of the covenant or covenantal oath to David. Yahweh promised to preserve the Davidic line that helped Judah to be stable. Josiah brought a reform for Judah and it was at that time that the book of Deuteronomy and it was brought to Jerusalem after the fall of Samaria. The goal of the book was to summon Israel to the renewal of the covenant with Yahweh. It speaks of “Obey God and all will be well. Disobey him, and hardship will come”. The writer wanted the people to obtain the blessings of God.

The discovery of the law meant a rediscovery of Mosaic heritage and Judean revival. His reform represents a break with Assyrian culture. He wants his people to have their own distinctive culture. He insisted on monotheism – One God.

·                     Prophets at this time

The prophets at this time includes: Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah. Jeremiah was born around 646 BC. He came from a priestly family of Anathoth. He was sensitive but quiet. The Lord forbad him to marry. He was constantly rejected even by his own family. His message was that Yahweh’s words were not only about the nations outside but for the prophets too.

·                     Exam Preparation (AOC)

1.                  Geography

2.                  Monarchy

3.                  Prophets during each kingdom