The Promise Land

Aim: Who are some of the early leaders in the Promise Land? Engage Question: What is the Promise Land?

The Promise Land After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, & they began struggling with the region’s inhabitants to take over the land. Joshua - was Moses’ assistant, chosen to succeed Moses & led the Israelites into Canaan.

Samson was a judge of Israel famous for his supernatural strength, failing love affair with Delilah & destruction of the Philistine temple.

David a shepherd boy who became the second king of Israel. He achieved fame in his duel with Goliath when he killed the gigantic soldier with a sling shot. He expanded Israel’s boundaries & founded the capital at Jerusalem.

Jerusalem became King David’s capital; Solomon centralized the worship of Yahweh there; & remained the capital of Judah during the period of the divided kingdoms. Solomon is the son of David. He became famous for his wisdom, & built & dedicated Yahweh’s Temple in Jerusalem.

Temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem; it was the center of religious life for Jews until it was destroyed. Solomon’s tolerance & practice of idolatry & his exploitation of the people take Israel on a path toward ruin. After the death of Solomon, the kingdom split into the rivalrous Israel & Judah.

Prophets one who preaches or proclaims the word or will of God. A prophet was regarded as divinely inspired. Their goal was to interpret events from God’s point of view. Isaiah is a prophet & counselor of Judean kings, he told of Yahweh’s distress at how the people had turned their backs on God & the covenant.

Aim: Who defeated, exiled, & oppressed the Israelites? Crushing Defeat & Painful Exile

A Series of Oppressors What is an oppressor? What two groups of people oppressed the Jewish people after they were set free by the Persian Empire?

Hanukkah Comes from the remembrance of how the Jews rededicated the Temple after the Greeks defiled it. It is in 8 day celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights.

What is a Messiah? The oppressive Greek & Roman Empires made the Jews long for a messiah to rescue them & fulfill God’s promises of a prosperous homeland. Messiah a Hebrew term meaning "anointed" one.

Engage Question: Who is Jesus? Aim: Who is Jesus? Engage Question: Who is Jesus?

Jesus the messiah & the fulfillment of God’s Covenant with the people. Jesus was born at a time of Roman oppression & division among the Jews. Suffering Servant - one who would save the people by suffering for them; taken from the writings of Isaiah.

Groups among the Jews Sadducees an ultraconservative Jewish group who rigidly followed the laws of Judaism. As a priestly class they were committed to proper worship & the offering of daily sacrifices in the Temple. Pharisees a group which believed the Law could be interpreted & expanded to better direct the lives of people in every detail. Zealots an extremely nationalistic party dedicated to freeing the Jews from foreign domination, by armed revolt if necessary.