Salvation History The Path to Restoration

Development of Sin Begins with the first sin – Original Sin Continues with the sin of Cain – Personal sin Multiplies as humans multiply until it reaches great evil – Represented in the story of Noah Increases to include whole societies – Social sin, in the account of the “Tower of Babel” Throughout, God remains faithful and loving

Promise to “Adam & Eve” Protoevangelium: – First “gospel” or good news First promise of hope to restore our relationship with God. – Gen. 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between her offspring and yours; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.”

Covenant A solemn agreement between two parties; – Unique in Israel since the promise is between God and another party. (Usually made between kings, where each party promises something to the other for a return promise) – God initiates and stays faithful to the covenant – Point to the Paschal Mystery The redemption of all humanity through Christ’s Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension

Evil multiplies One righteous man* Destruction by water (cleansing)** Idolatry – Polytheism – Nation- King Descendants populate the nations Noah *God saves the righteous man ** Baptism

Covenant with Abraham God calls Abram and promises him land and descendants. He would be the father of great nations, and a blessing for all nations – First patriarch- Abraham The beginning of the Chosen People – Circumcision (a sign of the covenant)

Prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus – Genesis 22: 1-19 Wood for the sacrifice Only son God will provide the sheep for the sacrifice (as a result) All nations shall find blessing because you obeyed my command The Sacrifice of Isaac

Melchizedek Rahab King Cyrus Ruth God Fearing Gentiles

Moses brings the people out of slavery in Egypt and receives the commandments from God to give to the people. Sinai Covenant – God promises to be their God – The people promise obedience to the Law Moses & the Sinai Covenant Theophany: God breaks into the human dimension 1. Burning bush 2. Jesus

 Old Covenant  Israelites (People of God)  Slavery in Egypt  Saved by the blood of the lamb  Crossed through the Red Sea to be saved  Celebrate the Passover  Letter of the Law  Ten Commandments Passover Prefigures Passion & Death Old Testament New Testament  New Covenant  All followers of Jesus (The Church)  Slavery to sin  By Jesus’ blood we are saved  Baptism  Eucharist  Spirit of the Law  Law of Love  Two Great Commandments  Beatitudes

 Old Covenant  Was marked to die as an infant  Born in simple circumstances  Was a shepherd  Called to save God’s people  Was given a name that represented who he was  Sacrificed a lamb to save the people  Gave the people laws  Ten Commandments  Leads people through the Red Sea to a new life Moses prefigures Jesus Moses Jesus  New Covenant  Was marked to die as an infant  Born in simple circumstances  Was the Good shepherd  Called to save God’s people  Was given a name that represented who he was  Was the lamb sacrificed to save the people  Gave the people laws  Law of Love  Two Great Commandments  Beatitudes  Gives us the water of Baptism for new life

When King David wants to build a Temple for God, God stops him and tells him that God is building a “*house” for David, A kingship that will live forever David’s Dynasty *bloodline

Covenants Noah – “Never again to destroy the earth by waters of a flood” (rainbow) – Covenant extends to the nations begun by Noah’s sons Abramic (with Abraham) – Phase 2 of God’s plan; calls a chosen people to be in a unique relationship with him A great nation (many descendants), a land of their own, Abraham and his descendants will be a blessing for all nations Circumcision becomes a physical mark of the covenant Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are called “Patriarchs” Mosaic (through Moses) with the Israelites – Theophany; God breaks into the human dimension so that their understanding of God is deepened or changed – God’s covenant with the whole people Keeps the promises made to Abraham Adds adherence to his commandments as part of their responsibility

Covenants Davidic – God promises David, “your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne stand firm forever” Jesus is a direct descendant of David, through Him this covenant is fulfilled. Aid to covenant – At different times in salvation history, God sent people to help keep the people in right relationship with Him. Judges Prophets

Judges, Military and Spiritual leaders – During the tribal confederation, when the Israelites faced a threat, God would raise up a hero to rally the tribes in defense of their land. In the 200 years of this period twelve charismatic leaders came to the aid of the tribes. Prophets, Spiritual Leaders – When the monarchy begins, the political responsibility of the judges is taken by the king and so we have a new type of leader, the prophet. They are the “watchdogs of the covenant and the Law” and they bring the message of God to the Kings and the people

The Marks & Roles of the Prophets Keep the people and the king faithful to the covenant – Spiritual Warrior: make sure the king and people were obeying the Law of Moses – Messenger of God: Spoke the words of God – Social Revolutionary: Spoke out against social injustices Call Narrative: – Mysterious setting – God initiates – Resistance to the call – God reassures – Mission is given & accepted Popularity – Most of the prophets were not popular with the officials of the state or the people because they told the truth about their sinful actions Jeremiah

Message of the Prophets Form: – An Oracle A message given in the words of God; Prefaced with “Thus says the Lord”, Uses the pronoun “I” – Paraphrase by the prophet Expression: – Prophecy of Doom This message was a warning of the disaster that would follow if the King and the people did not change their evil ways – Prophecy of Encouragement This message offered hope for the future if the King and the people changed their evil ways. How?

Message of the Prophets – Idolatry Worshipping false gods Putting faith in others rather than Yahweh – Social Injustice Oppressing the poor Adultery Lying Cheating Stealing Murder Any practice that took away the human rights of another Why? Unfaithfulness to God’s Covenant

Why do we read about the prophets? Something to think about! What do the accounts of the Old Testament prophets tells us about God’s relationship with humankind? Do the messages of the prophets still speak to us today? If God sent a prophet to speak to us today what would he say to us?

Promise is Made Humans sin God promises restoration Plan is begun Chooses a People through Abraham Establishes a relationship with the chosen people Plan is secured Sends leadership: Judges, Kings, and prophets Chooses a woman to bring salvation into the world God’s Promise to Restore Our Relationship with Him

TRIBAL CONFEDERATION KINGDOM

Growing Messianic Hope Through the prophets we see the vision of a New Covenant and a new heavenly kingdom. – Is.9: 1-6 – Is. 11: 1-9 – Is. 52:13- 5:12 – Jer. 31:31-34 – Ez. 34:11-31 – Ez. 37: 1-14 – Zech. 9: 9-10